Makar

MAKAR

Of course, I had still underestimated her.

In a way, that was the story of our entire relationship. I always underestimated her, and she always surprised me. Then I would make a new guess about her, and she would outdo that one too and surprise me again.

Normally, there was nothing I hated more than surprises. But she made me feel safe enough that I could love them. They could be delightful, not frightening.

First, I thought she was just a dancer who I found attractive and had a little spirit. Then, I realized that she was more clever, determined, and far more foolhardy than I had ever imagined. I thought that I liked having her around, as a casual thing, and then, I discovered that I loved her.

I thought I would have to save her from Goran, but in the end, she helped me win.

And now, she surprised me once again.

"How could you not tell me that there were other women living here!"

She shook her head while stirring the ganache.

"Do you know how surprised I was when I woke up from the claiming to find three human women around my bed?"

Her beautiful lips curled up in a smile.

"I've never been much for girl bonding, but I will admit, it was nice to have them there, to explain what was going on. It's only right that I cook something special for them in return."

As she turned to put the bowl down on the counter, her hand brushed against a bottle of zotoal powder, sending it tumbling to the floor.

Effortlessly, she snagged it from the air before it hurtled to the ground.

"With reflexes like this, can you imagine how well I could dance now?"

My mouth suddenly went dry.

I could imagine her doing anything.

Feeding her one of the filigree chocolate leaves I worked on, my hand cupped the side of her face where delicate green tracery now spiraled under her skin, marking her as a Vinduthi's mate.

My mate.

"I think we should do more than imagine," I said huskily. "Perhaps we could plan on a performance later."

She licked my fingers.

"I like this plan."

"I can't wait anymore," Tessi bounced into the kitchen, followed by Amy and Mera. "It just smells too good."

Sophia winked at me, her delicate pink tongue licking the last of the chocolate from her lips before turning to the other women with a smile.

"It's one of the best parts about making desserts," she agreed. "Everything smells fantastic."

"In ten more minutes, the cake should be cool enough to glaze," I told them. "But I hate making my mate wait."

Sophia's smile broadened as I pulled a tray out from where I hid it.

"So this morning, I made some tarts that are ready now."

As the four women gathered around the tray's treats, I withdrew to lean back against the wall, content to watch Sophia's face.

She was happy here. Relaxed. Surrounded by family.

And her happiness was all I needed for my own.

Alkard moved beside me, his gaze, as always, fixed on his own mate.

"How strange our family grows."

I glanced up at him. "Would you have it any other way?"

A soft expression that no one outside of our family would ever imagine possible. "Not for all the stars in the void."

As if she felt my eyes on her, Sophia turned and blew me a kiss.

I wouldn't change it, either.

If I had Sophia, I didn't need the stars.

Only her.

In retrospect, I wasn't sure if the idea of opening a bakery was mine or hers. One of us must have thought of it first, but it bounced back and forth between us for so long that I couldn't say which one it was.

It wasn't like I was retiring from the family.

My job didn't really lend itself to that.

So we hired a couple of staff to run the bakery once it was up and running, but for the first month, it was all ours.

Realta. An old Earth word for star, that reminded me every day of the shooting star that had rocked my life. Sophia liked the sound of it, and that was good enough for me.

The menu was mostly Earth desserts. That's what I practiced cooking with, and there wasn't much competition.

And sure, it was also a money-laundering front. But even if it weren't, it would have been popular enough to keep running. I wouldn't have stayed involved if it wasn't. Those were the best kinds of money-laundering fronts. It makes the books a little more believable.

And the hidden safehouse behind the kitchen wasn't a bad investment either.

"How are you feeling about your first day?" Sophia asked, wiping the counter and beaming at me.

"I'm feeling like I'm spreading some mouthfuls of joy," I said.

She laughed.

"And that feels good?"

I pulled her over to me. "It feels wonderful."

About then, the door opened, and Alkard walked in. He looked sorely in need of a good cupcake. Something was bothering him.

"So, how are you two lovebirds doing?" he asked, glancing over the display. "Still disgustingly wrapped up with each other?"

"You know the answer to that question," I said, then walked over to him. "Is everything okay? You look like you've got bad news."

He sighed. "I do. And it's the kind that a chocolate cupcake isn't going to fix."

I grabbed one off the display and passed it to him. "Tell me the news, then eat the cupcake. We'll see if it at least helps."

"You remember our old friend, Conii?"

I winced. It was going to be bad news. "I'm guessing you're not telling me she accidentally got shot out of the airlock."

"No. She set up Havek."

"Set up?" I repeated.

"Somehow she's forged evidence, pinning a job on him, and the judge is on her payroll. I don't know how we're going to get this solved."

I grimaced. Havek didn't deserve that.

And I wouldn't say what Conii deserved.

"You know we'll get him back, no matter what." Because we would. That's what family did.

Still scowling, Alkard took a bite of the cupcake. A little bit of the frosting got onto his lip, and he licked it off.

"Well, I'll be," he said. "It does help a little."

He took another bite, eyes narrowed. "Maybe a little sweetness is what we need to get Havek out."

I wasn't sure what he meant, but knowing Alkard, it would be spectacular.

At the third bite, he smiled.

Good. There was a plan.