Page 44 of Magic & Mochas
As quietly as I could, I swung my legs out from under the covers and eased out of bed.Despite my near-wraithlike silence, Clove stirred, frowning and mumbling.
“Go back to sleep, love,” I murmured, leaning over her and kissing her lightly on the forehead.
Her troubled expression smoothed, and Clove’s breathing evened out once more.I smiled to myself.
I donned my robe and padded out of my bedroom and down to the shop.My shadow was doing a good job getting everything ready.I did a double-take when I glanced at the front door, and spotted the kitsune girl—Kana—peering into the window, a box propped against her hip.
I had completely forgotten she always delivered her fresh pastries early.Striding over to the door, I unlocked it and motioned her inside.“Good morning, Kana.How you get up so early every day is a mystery to me.”
“Morning, Thorne,” she said with a chipperness that made me feel tired.Her blue eyes looked me up and down in an appraising fashion, and she gave me a sly grin.“So, how is Clove doing this morning?”
I blinked.“What makes you think Clove is here, instead of at her parents’ place?”
Her foxy grin stretched wider, and she chuckled.“After the way you princess-carried her out of the castle like her dark knight in shadow armor?Please.Give a girl a little credit.”
I felt the tips of my ears grow warm, and cleared my throat awkwardly.“Clove is still sleeping.”
“Good.She deserves some solid rest.”She nodded to herself, not looking at all surprised, and set the box down on the counter.She glanced at my shadow soldier, but didn’t seem bothered by it in the least.“I brought over chocolate cupcakes today—her favorite.”
Kana gave me a wink.
“Thank you.I was going to make her a mocha in bed, and I might just have to bring her one of your cupcakes,” I admitted.
“That is amarvelousidea.You can never have too much chocolate, after all.”She headed back to the door, and said, “I’ll stop by later to spill all the tea to Clove about what happened after you two left—and how big of a hit her dessert was.”
And with a little wave and a swish of her tails, she practically skipped out the door and back to her bakery.I chuckled to myself.She was quite the character, that one.
Turning back to the counter, I took her box and pulled out the cupcake that had the most frosting, setting it aside for Clove.I then instructed my soldier to carefully place the rest of the cupcakes in the display case while I set about making her mocha.
I made sure to craft it exactly the way she liked it, and topped it off with a generous amount of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings.After whipping up a little something for me, too, I set everything on a little tray and carried it up the stairs, being extra careful not to spill a single drop.
I lingered for a moment by my bedroom door, just savoring the sight of her.On silent feet, I padded over to the bedside table and placed the tray there.
“Good morning, love,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.“It’s time to wake up.”
“Mhmm,” she moaned, before rolling over and promptly going back to sleep.
I laughed, then grabbed the cupcake and held it under her nose.Her eyes flew open, and Clove stared at the pastry in bewilderment.“Chocolate?”
I put the cupcake back on the tray, and set it on her lap after she sat up.Clove looked up at me with those big turquoise eyes of hers with an expression that bordered between surprise and happiness.
“You made me breakfast?”
“Well, if you can call a cupcake and a mocha breakfast,” I said as I climbed back into bed, my own mocha in hand.
Clove smiled so widely that even her eyes seemed to sparkle.“I call it the breakfast of champions!”
“Glad to hear it.Though I can’t take all the credit—Kana brought the cupcakes by earlier,” I admitted.
“Wait, what time is it?”Clove froze, her head whipping around until her eyes landed on my clock.“Oh no, is it that late already?!I have to get ready to open the shop!”
I put my hand over hers before she could jump out of bed, and she stilled immediately.
“Clove, relax.I have one of my shadows doing all of the opening procedures right now.Finish your cupcake first, and then you can take your time getting ready.Besides, after last night, I highly doubt anyone will be hauling their butts out of bed until at least ten.”I rubbed soothing circles into the velvety-soft skin on the back of her hand.
“Really?”Her eyes went round as she met my gaze.“You did all that for me?”
How little had Rasmus done for her that something so simple impressed her like this?
