Page 46 of The Artist and the Dragon

The room wasn’t large by any means, but there was more than enough space for a few people to work if needed. Not to mention that it had a window to let in natural light, one that could be opened if the smell of paint or other materials used in the set design became a little too overwhelming. The sets for the upcoming opera were already finished and in use for rehearsals, so Bronwyn had the space to herself. Thankfully, it wasn’t as cramped as it sometimes was, though one wall was still stacked to the ceiling with old set décor and a few useful pieces. A faux-ruby-encrusted throne and a tufted swiveling stool, on which Bronwyn currently sat, were left out for anyone working.

The door opened and someone entered. Her hand stilled, brush hovering in front of the canvas. She knew who it was before he announced himself. A wave of sensation slid down her spine before curling into a warm ball low in her core.Goddess above. She never could reason why he had such an effect on her, why he loosened her tongue and elicited strong emotions with no more than a passing look. But he did. He had since the moment they’d met.

The door closed with a soft click. “Good morning, Princess.”

Bronwyn turned on her stool and scowled at Malik, who stared at her with a self-satisfied smirk. “You know I’m not a princess.”

His only response was a half shrug.

Bronwyn sighed and spun back toward her work. “Why are you here, anyway?” she asked. “More work to do? I thought you’d completed it all.”

He’d gotten much more efficient with the detection spell and had completed the last of the areas she’d marked out the day before. Rather than cutting his hand or arm, he’d brought a few vials of blood tucked in his coat. She couldn’t summon the courage to ask if they were his or, if not, where he’d gotten them from.

“I did. But I thought I’d stop in anyway.”

Solely to annoy her, probably. What fun.

“I get more work done when I’m alone,” Bronwyn replied.

“Yes, I know. Though you’ve done quite a lot already. It would do you well to take a break.”

“No time.” She added a few more strokes to the lake, blending the colors until they were seamless.

He made a low grunt. “Have you even eaten today?”

“I had an early breakfast before I left the castle this morning.”

“It’s mid-afternoon.”

Was it? She stilled before dipping the brush in black and adding a few more shadows amid the trees near the lake’s edge. “I’m fine.”

There was a crinkling and rustling, followed by the sound of footsteps as Malik neared. He plopped a little brown package on the table next to her palette. “I brought you a little something, just in case.”

Bronwyn frowned as she stared at it from the corner of her eye. “What is it?”

“Why not take a break and find out?”

Her wrist did ache… Bronwyn set aside her brush, snatched the package, and unrolled the top. The scent of something sweet and tart hit her square in the nose. Saliva pooled in her mouth.

“Jam puffs. From my favorite bakery just up the street,” Malik said. “They were still warm when the owner packed them up for me.”

Her stomach gave a loud rumble, which made her want to sink through the floor and vanish.

“Looks like I was right to bring a snack.” He crossed his arms, that smug smirk pulling at the corners of his lips again.

She didlovejam puffs, and they were so delicious this time of year with berries being available fresh in the markets. It had to be a coincidence that he’d picked those, of all sweets, to bring her. It was something most people liked, right?

Bronwyn started to reach for a puff, caught sight of her paint-stained fingers, and stopped. Goddess, she probably looked a mess. But there was nothing to be done about it and a whole little pile of puffs in the bag. With a mental shrug, she dove into the bag, took a puff between two fingers, and popped it in her mouth.

An embarrassing moan slipped from her lips as sweet pastry and tart blackberry burst across her palate. Her eyes slid closed. It might be the best thing she’d ever tasted. Not even the castle chef was this talented. She swallowed the tasty mouthful and smiled. “Delicious.”

When she opened her eyes, Malik’s grin had fallen away. He stood stone still, staring at her. If not for the slow blink of his eyes, she might have thought he’d been frozen by some strange spell.

He continued to stare, and the back of her neck heated. “Apologies. They are just very good.”

The comment had his body relaxing, a hint of mischief returning to his face. “There’s no need to apologize. I’m glad you enjoy them. Please, have more.”

He didn’t need to tell her twice. One taste and her hunger made itself known with force; she was half tempted to sit there and eat the whole bag. The next one she pulled out was larger. She took a bite. Some of the jam filling smeared onto her lips, and she licked them, barely muffling another groan of pleasure. “Have you tried these?” She waggled the half-eaten one at him. “They’re incredible.”

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