Velaris had the best spices.

This was a given considering the wealth of trade that occurs at the ports, something you prided yourself on as the Treasurer of Velaris.

There was also something else beyond duty that motivated you to be so good at your job.

“Now just add the star anise and sauté it with the onions.” You gently guided Nyx’s chubby hands to the spoon resting against the pot.

Azriel had been gone on a mission for weeks, and your tiny apartment had never felt so empty. Having only discovered you two were mates a couple of months ago, you had both fell into a rhythm of domesticity quickly and his absence hit you harder than before.

You kept the bond open, sending feelings of love and comfort through it as you went about your day, but you would very much prefer to have him in your arms.

You were also bored out of your mind, seeing as you started your break this week. Azriel’s mission dragging on longer than expected shortened the list of activities you wanted to do (most of which involved lounging in bed), but you tried your best to fill up the time.

Your failed attempt at knitting laughs at you from the corner of your living room.

So upon seeing how much Feyre and Rhys needed time alone, you had offered to take Nyx in for a sleepover.

The two of them had agreed after checking that you were okay, and Nyx was thrilled to spend the night with you, as he knew there would be excellent food coming his way.

Just a toddler and already eager to learn everything from his family, Nyx had persistently asked you to teach him to cook. You and Feyre had just exchanged fond smiles over the young babe’s head as you gently replied that you would teach him once he could reach the stove.

Cooking had always been your passion and you were thrilled that Nyx wanted to learn, but there were safety concerns with a child so young.

You had thought that you’d bought some extra time by waiting till Nyx could reach the stove.

You’d forgotten that he was the son of some of the most cunning and stubborn people you had met.

And he had wings.

The family had been so happy when Nyx flew for the first time, his little wings flapping furiously to keep the chubby toddler aloft.

A few months of training with his father and uncles later, Nyx had gained remarkable control and was able to hover and fly indoors with minimal damage to the paintings hung on the walls of the River House.

That ability to hover led you to your current predicament.

Teaching Nyx how to cook wasn't necessarily difficult. In fact, the young Illyrian caught on quickly and remembered every step you relayed to him.

The problem came down to your own fear of supervising a child so close to an open flame, which is why you kept the stove on simmer and boiled the water in a separate kettle, minimizing the risk of the pot overflowing.

"Okay Nyxie," You dried your hands on your apron as looked down on the child next to you, "We're gonna add the hot water now. So I need you to back up, alright?"

"Yes, Auntie!" Nyx cheerfully agreed, his little wings flapping as he maneuvered himself to hover near the entryway of your apartment kitchen.

Taking one last look at the toddler behind you and ensuring he was out of the way, you reached for the handle of the kettle, forgoing oven mitts as the handle was made of a separate material from the metal kettle.

What you hadn’t noticed was the handle being directly beside the flame under the pot, and it had been slowly heated up to the point where oven mitts were definitely required.

You yank your hand back with a hiss, fighting back the sting of tears as you rush to the sink to submerge your hand in cold water.

"Auntie?" Nyx had come to your side and was looking up at you, blue eyes wide with worry.

Just as you opened your mouth to reassure him, a shout of your name startled the both of you, making you both turn towards the entry way of your small kitchen.

In less than a second, your mate filled the doorway, eyes dark with anger that promised a world of hurt.

"Azriel." Your voice came out with a hint of a whimper, the pain in your hand not having fully subsided and coupled with the sheer relief you felt at seeing your mate alive and whole after weeks of no contact.

Azriel rushed towards you and cradled your face in his large hands. "I felt your pain down the bond and thought someone got to you."

You felt your eyes flutter close as you instinctively turned towards his hands.

"Rather more like a something than a someone." You gestured to the kettle with your good hand and let out a small laugh, "I was so worried about Nyx being hurt in the kitchen that I forgot to wear my oven mitts." You explained as you winked at Nyx from around Azriel, "Guess you're better at kitchen safety than I am, huh, Nyxie?"

Nyx's eyes, which were welling up with tears, brightened as he considered your words. "Hehe, guess I am!"

Noticing that your mate was still tense, you ushered Nyx into the living room. "Why don't you go read a story, sweetie? Uncle Az and I are gonna try and save our dinner."

"Okay!" Nyx half bounded, half flew over to your couch and started perusing the stack of children's books you left on the ground for him.

Satisfied, you headed back into the kitchen, where Azriel had turned off the stove and was carrying a lump of ice cubes wrapped in a dishcloth.

"I thought you were in the mortal lands." You frowned in worry as you took him in. Azriel's hair was windswept, as if he had flown furiously to get into winnowing range. To get to you.

"The mission was basically almost finished." Azriel's hand cups your cheek once again, his thumb swiping away a tear that had escaped. "Lucien is wrapping things up, and you are more important."

Azriel pulled you into a firm hug, carefully keeping the ice balanced on your hand. "I missed you so much, I'm never letting Rhys send me that far away again."

You let out a happy hum, burying your face into the crook of his neck. "I'm tempted to never let you leave this apartment again." You inhaled his comforting scent of mist and cedar, feeling yourself further relax into his hold.

"We should probably have Madja check on that hand, though." Azriel mused, pulling back from the hug to check on your hand. "Do you need more ice?"

"I'm fine!" You huffed out a laugh at his overprotectiveness, removing the compress to show your fully healed hand. "I got it under cool water fast enough, see? Not a scratch."

Azriel let out a small smile before turning towards the stove. " What are you making?" He sniffed curiously at the pot, the gesture so earnest that it made you let out a snort. Illyrian babies and their appetites, you thought fondly as you wrapped your arms around his middle.

"I was cooking your favourite, wanna help me?" You looked up at Azriel to already find him staring down at you with a fond smile.

"Absolutely."

Thank you for reading!

I'm working on writing more long-form fics now, but still stuck on endings. So if it feels rushed, that's why lol.