The fae grabbed it and placed it to the side, moving further away to give me enough space.
Not knowing what to do or how to react, I placed my head on the pillow and closed my eyes, hoping that he would take the hint and leave.
A second later, I felt the cosiness of the blanket pouring along my body while heavy hands fluffed it and arranged it around me, tucking me in. I couldn’t help a sob and sealed my eyes shut to avoid more tears from springing.
I heard two steps on the wooden floor before the faerie stopped, the floorboards screeching under his weight and I opened my eyes to find him splayed on the hard floor, by my bed.
“You…you don’t have to sleep here,” the words rushed from my lips, my heart trembling at the knowledge that he was planning to spend the night a foot away.
“Muffin, you were screaming for minutes, I’m not going to let that happen again.” Without another word, he leaned his massive body back on the floor and closed his eyes.
The proximity of him turned my skin aflame, the pounding of my heart unrelenting. My body pulsed, mouth watering at the sight of him, my brain straining with possibilities. I didn’t stop until his breath evened out, turning from rigid inhales into soft murmurs. Only then, did my body relax enough to let me drag my mind back into blackness.
When I woke, Gale had prepared breakfast and left it on the small table for me. Then he continued his exercises and ignored me for most of the day.
I remained in the bedroom, supervising the installation of a new door which PDD had ordered without asking for my opinion.
No other instructions came that day.
“Good morning, muffin,” Galenor greeted me when I opened the door to let myself into the living room. He looked sweaty and had probably been working out for a while by the time I woke up and mustered enough courage to get myself into the room.
To find him in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
This had become some sort of a tradition that neither of us disputed. Furthermore, we both seemed to enjoy it. I had the responsibility to keep the fridge and cupboard fully stocked, and the fae took it upon himself to cook.
For the both of us. True, he was the one consuming ninety percent of the food, but he had a real talent for bringing flavours to life, far better than I ever could.
That morning, he must have gotten tired of a full pound of bacon and eggs and craved something sweet, filling the entire room with the welcoming aromas of cinnamon and chocolate.
“My name is Ellyana,” I finally replied with a low grunt, but walked without protest to the small table he’d already cleaned from the night before. It had become some sort of an agreement, Gale claimed ownership of the gym and kitchen while I kept myself mostly to the bedroom and bathroom. He had access to it, twice a day to shower and do his business, which he did so quickly and without trying to make it awkward for me. I appreciated that.
“I know,” he turned to take me in and displayed a proud smirk. “But seeing how I am making muffins, it fits better,” he chuckled.
“You are making muffins?” My eyes widened in surprise, instantly excited about the prospect of putting something sweet and hot into my mouth, the scent of his baking already enveloping my senses.
“I thought you might crave something sweet these days…” He didn’t mention my period again, not after he’d used the excuse to make me feel like crap and saunter out of the bathroom after forcing me to confess the worst night of my life.
“I’m done with that, but thanks anyway,” I felt the need to twist the knot, unsure of why it was important for me to tell Galenor that my period was over. I told myself it was because he didn’t have another reason to tease me and swallowed the other thought.
“I can make something else if you like, but the food is running low again.” His lashes fanned against his cheek with the unspoken request. Basically, he’d made me muffins to bribe me to go shopping again.
“Muffins are fine…” I sighed, my excitement levels dropping at the thought that I had to spend another good part of my wages to buy food for the insatiable faerie. In a way, I did not blame him, he worked out like a maniac, so determined to keep those muscles pumped and he’d been kept away from nourishment for a long while, so it was in part, normal for him to eat a lot. But my budget couldn’t take much more of it.
My thoughts started drifting away, thinking about prices and shopping bills, struggling to piece together ways to get cheaper food in bigger quantities. There was another town I could go to where the prices were cheaper, but the drive alone would take hours. And I didn’t want to leave Galenor on his own for so long.
Not that I did much when I was here, both of us reserved mostly to keep ourselves to our rooms, but his presence on the other end of the door settled me.
“Muffins for my muffin,” the fae male smirked, displaying a proud grin while placing three stunning chocolate muffins in front of me.
“You are something…” I waggled my head, copying his smile, my mouth instantly watering.“They smell amazing, thank you,” I nodded, grateful for the treat and took a big bite while watching Galenor bring a full tray for himself.
“How many did you bake?” I looked at him in disbelief, watching how he struggled to carry the massive tray filled with layers of chocolate muffins.
“Thirty-three,” a full mouth dropped the reply in between attacks of chewing, the fae too hungry to sit at the table before he started eating.
I snickered, taking a moment to watch how he carefully placed the tray on the nearby bench and started biting from another muffin, while keeping another one at the ready. It was endearing to see him like that. Excited, calm, unburdened by constant worry.
His cheeks looked plumper, a beautiful healthy rosy colour appearing on his skin. His eyes shone brighter, and his mood had massively improved. It was amazing what a few days of recovery could do to the body.
