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.

smooth and swift, but also gentle—his long fingers wrapped around hers, tending to her with surprising tenderness. Amara glanced up at his serious eyes and found herself momentarily

oil had splattered, the

the sink, so concerned for this minor injury... Why did he

started to race. She told herself not to overthink it,

at the door shattered Amara's jumble of thoughts. Both

from Finnian and took two quick

called out a curt,

glancing at Amara before greeting

Finnian's sour expression, remembering how he'd just interrupted that warm, almost intimate

ve

he

I need to talk to

is it?" Finnian

it was the rumors about Finnian and Amara that had spread earlier, but the atmosphere between the three of

kitchen wasn't small, and there were only three people inside, but Hogan couldn't shake the