Today was Lucanis’s turn to cook. Politely declining Bellara’s help, he took over the kitchen, deciding to prepare something elegant yet not overly complicated — something that would suit every team member’s tastes. Paella was perfect for the occasion. He just needed to set up a separate pan for Emmerich, who ate neither meat nor seafood. Cooking a special dish for him had long become routine.

LITTLE BEAST, Spite said fondly. Lately, he’d been calling Zea by that name — adopting the endearment Lucanis himself had given her: Gatita.

He continued calmly prepping the shrimp, not even glancing toward the door. He knew what was coming.

Zea approached him, her footsteps silent on the stone floor — not because she was deliberately trying to catch him off guard, but simply because she didn’t know how to walk any other way. She gently tugged on his ponytail. Lucanis freed his hair and turned his head slightly. Gatita was smiling her mischievous smile — clearly up to something again.

SMELLS LIKE JOY. CURIOSITY. ANTICIPATION. CHOCOLATE COOKIES. SMELLS LIKE NOT‑LUCANIS! Spite added in disarray.

“I wanted to take some cinnamon and cardamom,” Zea said carelessly.

“Why..?” Lucanis didn’t mind — they had excellent supplies after Gatita had persuaded him to raid Antaam’s storeroom (“After all, they robbed us — so we’re just reclaiming what was stolen!”), and they could easily spare some spices if needed. But there was something more to it.

Zea’s smile grew even more cunning.

“Naimeryn sent me a letter. Her Lucanis wants to meet with me and say something important. He also sent me some cookies,” she snorted softly. “I thought it would be polite to send him some spices in return — for his coffee.”

Well, that explained Spite’s comment completely.

“You’re… meeting with him?” Lucanis asked after a brief pause. His ‘other self’ had suddenly transformed from a strange idea into something resembling a real rival, and he had to exhale to calm his thoughts.

“With both of them,” Zea emphasized.

“I’m coming with you,” he said, perhaps more sharply than he’d intended.

~12,800 words

For shameless self-promotion tagging @palenecromaniac @frotees-corner @crownofjuniper @woundedsoul12 @talkmagically @selennes @tintarelladluna @antivan-sprig @direlie @awardenandacrow @imrowanartist @hedwigoprah @serensama @pandawithawand @himluv @jenn2d2 @genjyoandgojyoandhakkai @serstolas @pixiedurango @adhd-riddled-crow @jukkaricity @serialsforbellara @hawkesflight @consuming-unhealthy-particles @aiyestel @eiluned @semicolonsunflower @auberry2 @ubiquitous26 @2mercia2furious @strugglinggranola @justmaddieztumbler @lambchop0502 @ladyofcrowsandcoffee @shippingmyworld @cyenna-whitbrew @silvergryphon @babydinosaur930 @hwat @morrriigan @davrinsleftpectoral @blackwall-my-tiny-husband-main