Free Web NovelChapter 66: Chapter 66 Kitchen Partners
Elara’s POV
I watched Silas’s expression shift as I fled, his smile chilling me to the bone. "Elara, when I get out, I’ll tease you till you can’t even cry," he called after me.
——
Silas’s current spirit collapse level was 59. At 50, he could send messages freely. Below 40, he could leave the ward. He would wait for Elara.
——
Elara’s POV
I squeezed awkwardly through the tiny food hatch, my body barely fitting through the narrow opening. The moment I poked my head out, the delivery robot materialized. One glance at its glowing eyes told me everything - Alistair was inside.
"You rascal, help me out! He’s absolutely terrifying in there." I stretched my arms toward him.
Alistair’ mechanical arm extended, gently lifting me down. "Are you okay?"
"I’m fine," I replied, catching my breath.
Alistair went quiet for a moment. "Elara... your lips are puffy."
I grinned despite everything. "Don’t worry about it. I’ll bite you just as hard later."
Alistair’ systems seemed to glitch momentarily.
He spun around and tapped his metal shoulder plate. "Elara..."
"What?"
"Climb on."
"No way."
"You’ll hurt yourself jumping down."
I couldn’t argue with his logic. I hadn’t realized while climbing how high up the hatch actually was.
Alistair hoisted me onto his back and sped off at breakneck pace.
As the security barriers retracted, a metallic blur streaked past each ward - too fast for anyone to identify.
Back in the kitchen, Alistair lowered me down and dragged over a bench. "Sit and rest. I’ll handle your duties, and you can claim all the recognition."
I protested, "That doesn’t seem right."
Alistair’ voice carried a warm smile. "Elara, I’m trapped here for now. This is the only way I can take care of you as your husband. Show me how to cook, will you?"
My resolve crumbled instantly.
Damn, I’m really falling hard for this guy. frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Alright. How about scrambled eggs with tomato sauce? Sound good to you?" I asked.
Alistair bobbed his head eagerly.
"Want to learn braised beef brisket?"
"Absolutely."
"Roasted seasonal vegetables? Interested?"
"Count me in."
I clapped my hands together excitedly. "Today we’re preparing simple, classic comfort food."
I jumped down from the robot and began juicing lemons.
I cooked fresh strawberries into sweet jam, whipped heavy cream, and baked a fluffy cake.
With the fresh ingredients at my disposal, I could cook without any limitations.
We worked side by side in the kitchen, creating delicious chaos together. Alistair handled the lemon juicing and cream whipping - his mechanical arms spinning at incredible speeds.
I shared one earbud with him, keeping the other for myself.
Alistair still prepared lunch, but I guided him through each step.
Our menu included scrambled eggs with tomato sauce, roasted seasonal vegetables, braised beef brisket, spicy sautéed shrimp, and buttered toast.
For dessert, we made strawberry cake and strawberry toast.
Our drinks were fresh-squeezed lemonade and creamy strawberry milk. freewebnovёl.ƈom
The cart overflowed with food. Alistair, still in his robotic form, handled all the heavy lifting before insisting on carrying me too.
"Elara, I get really possessive," he admitted.
I let out a long sigh.
That phrase again. Here we go.
"Alistair..."
"Yeah?"
"If your human body looks like a pig, you’re dead meat."
He understood my threat perfectly, but he didn’t seem upset at all.
"Elara..."
"Yeah?"
"Could you hang around my door a bit longer today?"
He looked as though he wanted to reveal something to me, but he resisted the urge. It seemed he wanted it to be a surprise.
"Planning to scare me again?" I immediately thought of that massive serpent from our first encounter - it had given me nightmares.
Alistair laughed softly. He reached up and ruffled my hair, his voice tender with remorse. "I’m sorry I frightened you that day. Can you forgive me?"
"I’m not angry." I was just absolutely terrified. Slimy, writhing reptiles made my skin crawl.
Alistair tightened his lips. He knew I feared his beast form. With one arm supporting me and the other pushing the cart, he headed toward the wards.
When we reached our destination, he set me down carefully. "Elara, I’ll be in my room waiting."
He was definitely being secretive - clearly planning some kind of surprise. I nodded, swiped my access card, and entered.
Kaelen launched himself at me the instant I stepped through the door. The little dragon whimpered like he was on the verge of tears. "You’re finally back! Do you have any idea what I went through while you were gone?"
His whimpers escalated into loud, trembling sobs.
Kaelen collapsed onto the floor, rubbing his eyes with his pudgy black paws. Julian, positioned across from him, had practically exhausted his repertoire of rude gestures. Those two were quite the pair.
I reached down and gently patted the dragon’s head. "Easy, easy, I’m here now. I brought you a flower crown. Want to see it?"
Twisting vines wrapped around glowing orbs - beautiful whether worn on the head or around the neck.
I had crafted plenty: extra vine bracelets and large bouquets of flowers.
"All... all of that’s for me?" Kaelen had learned from past disappointments. This time he asked first, so he wouldn’t get his hopes up only to be let down.
