Under the Veil I Rule

Chapter 392

Amara had wanted to help out, but Finnian shook his head. "You don't need to worry about any of this. Just tell me what to do."

Seeing he wouldn't let her lift a finger, and not bothering to argue, she stood by his side, guiding him through each step.

Before long, the ingredients were prepped. She pulled out the spices, explaining carefully-one by one-which ones went with each dish.

The two of them stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the stove. Amara's voice was soft and patient as she explained the process, her expression focused and intent, completely unaware that Finnian was watching her instead of the food.

He watched her with the same seriousness she gave the cooking-one of them focused on the meal, the other focused on her. From a distance, the pair looked like a picture come to life.

After about ten minutes of instructions, Finnian finally started cooking. Amara hovered nearby, keeping an eye out for mistakes, gently correcting him as he went.

Suddenly, a droplet of hot oil popped out of the pan, landing right on Amara's hand. She jumped back with a short yelp of pain.

Finnian immediately switched off the stove and turned to her, taking her hand in his. "What happened? Did it hurt?"

Without waiting for an answer, he slipped an arm around her waist and led her to the sink. He turned on the cold water, guiding her hand under the stream and carefully rinsing the burn.

around hers, tending to her with surprising tenderness. Amara glanced up at his

the oil had splattered, the

now, the way he guided her to the sink, so concerned for this minor injury... Why did

herself not to overthink it, but in that moment, she couldn't help

a knock at the door shattered Amara's jumble of thoughts. Both of them turned to see Hogan standing just outside the

away from Finnian and

He called out a curt, "Come

Hogan said, glancing at Amara before

noticed Finnian's sour expression, remembering how he'd just interrupted that warm, almost intimate moment at the sink. The realization made

ve

and he quickly

reason for coming "Finnian, I need to talk

is it?" Finnian

but the atmosphere between the three of them

and there were only three people inside, but Hogan couldn't shake the feeling that the walls were closing in, the tension making