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.

swift, but also gentle—his long fingers wrapped around hers, tending to her with surprising tenderness. Amara

was such a small thing, but when the oil had splattered, the worry in

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

to race. She told herself not to overthink it, but in that moment, she

door shattered Amara's jumble of thoughts. Both of them turned to see Hogan standing

pulled away from Finnian

a curt, "Come in," and Hogan

glancing at Amara before greeting

that warm, almost intimate

ve

and he

I need to talk to you. There's something important you need

it?" Finnian

atmosphere between the three of them felt changed a heaviness in the air that hadn't been

were only three people inside, but Hogan couldn't shake the feeling that the