Evan watched his hands as he walked, the small bag of stolen spices crinkling in his grip. His mind was a whirlpool of cold, sharp thoughts. That old hag, Mrs. Gable, was ready to sell his wife's trust for a handful of silver, and that bitch Ann was already picking out which part of him she wanted to devour first.
Like hell I'm letting myself be raped by those vultures, he thought, his jaw tightening.
But beneath the anger, a thrill of anticipation began to pulse. This was a game—a dangerous one—and he had always been a master of the board. "I'll give you a night to remember," he whispered to the wind, his voice low and jagged. "But it won't be the one you're dreaming of."
By the time he stepped through his own front door, his mask was perfectly back in place. He headed straight for the kitchen, the aroma of browning meat soon filling the small house. He tossed the diced pork into the oil, the sizzle sounding like applause. He added the salt, the sauce, and the borrowed spices, stirring with a rhythmic, masculine grace before adding water and sealing the pot to simmer.
"Mrs. Gable..." Evan began, his voice casual as he leaned against the counter. "Does she live all alone?"
Elara was sitting by the stove, her face bathed in the orange glow of the fire. She nodded. "Well, her husband passed away a few years ago. Bandits got him on the road. She's been alone ever since—no children to care for her. I think she's just lonely."
"Lonely?" Evan snorted, a dark glint in his eyes. "I don't think so. She spends her whole day chatting and digging into everyone's business. She's not idle; she's a troublemaker. That kind of person lives for gossip and manipulation."
Elara sighed, poking at the embers. "It's true. Mrs. Gable is famous for being a troublemaker, even in the capital. But she's a master talker. People go to her for matchmaking because she can sell a rock as a diamond. No matter how bad the match, she finds a way to tie the knot."
"Hmph. I think she's more interested in cheating people than helping them," Evan said, his eyes narrowing.
"About a month ago," Elara continued, "she matched a man from another county to a fool in our town. The poor guy was cheated out of his life savings. When he tried to run, she had him locked up. It was brutal."
"Tsk, tsk. She really is a beast." Evan turned, a subtle, predatory smile playing on his lips. He walked over to Elara, looming over her until she had to look up. "By the way... weren't you single for years? Why didn't you ever let Mrs. Gable find a match for you?"
Elara shook her head quickly. "I don't like lying. If I let her lie to some man just to get him into my bed, there would be no peace in this house. I'd rather be alone than build a life on a foundation of deceit."
"Hmph. You're actually a good person, aren't you?"
"I don't know about that," she whispered, her voice serious. "I just don't like doing things without a conscience. I can't control what others do, but I have to live with myself."
Evan knelt down in front of her. The heat from the stove was nothing compared to the intensity in his gaze. He reached out, his thumb and forefinger pinching her soft, flour-dusted cheek. "Then how do you explain marrying me? You know I'm being forced. Isn't it 'unconscionable' to keep a man against his will?"
"No... I... I couldn't help it!" Elara stammered, her face turning pink. "The Black family gave the order. I'm just a baker. I can't fight them."
"Can't fight them?" Evan mocked, his voice a low vibration. "Come on. With Maya here, who can force you? She can blackmail a high noble like Sophia Sterling, yet she's afraid of the Black family? I don't buy it."
Elara went silent, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for an excuse.
"Let me tell you the truth," Evan said, leaning in until their noses almost touched. "It's not that you couldn't refuse. It's that you didn't want to. Because I'm handsome. Only a fool would turn down a prize like me being dropped into their lap. You were attracted to the face, weren't you?"
Elara's blush deepened until it reached her ears. She nodded awkwardly. "I... I can't lie to you. I know I'm not worthy, but having you here... it makes me feel honorable. It makes me happy."
"I knew it. You've got good taste, I'll give you that." Evan stood up, his hand trailing down her jaw. "But if I were any other man, I'd be cheating on you already. I'd be having affairs with half the women in town while you were out selling cakes."
"Affairs!" Elara gasped, her eyes wide with panic. "No, Evan, please... don't do that. Even if I didn't say anything, if Maya found out, she'd kill you. You have to wait... at least wait until she isn't around..."
Evan blinked, then barked out a laugh, poking her forehead. "Are you serious? You aren't even mad that I mentioned cheating? Your first reaction is to worry about Maya killing me? What is wrong with your head?"
Elara lowered her gaze, twisting the corner of her apron. "I know what I am. If you wanted another woman, I couldn't stop you. I just want you to be safe for the year we promised. After that, if you want to leave or find someone else, I won't stand in your way."
"Oh, shut up." Evan reached down and pinched both her cheeks this time, pulling them slightly. "Listen to me. A person should be single-minded. I'm focused, and you should be too. You're beautiful, Elara. The height, the leg—none of that matters to me. I don't care what the village thinks. In this house, my wife is the most beautiful woman there is."
"Beautiful?" Elara's breath hitched. "You... you think I'm beautiful?"
"I said it, didn't I? You're as striking as Maya, just in a different way. You need to be confident. I plan to live a real life with you, so stop worrying about me wandering off. Do you understand?"
Elara nodded, her expression dazed and adorable. Evan felt a surge of genuine affection. Are women in this world always this shy? It's too easy.
He couldn't help himself. He leaned forward and pressed a firm, lingering kiss right on her flaming red cheek.
"Eek!"
Elara shrieked, scrambling to her feet so fast she nearly tripped over the stove. She clutched her cheek as if he'd branded her, looking at him in utter disbelief.
"You—you—you—!"
"What? It's just a kiss," Evan said, grinning. This is just the beginning, my dear wife. We have so many 'firsts' to get through.
But Elara didn't stay to hear it. She turned and sprinted out of the kitchen in a blind panic.
"Hey!" Evan chased after her, stopping at the doorway.
He watched as Elara dove toward the water urn by the well, frantically splashing her face with cold water, scrubbing at the spot where his lips had touched her.
Evan's eyes darkened, a flicker of genuine irritation crossing his face. Is she that shy, or does she actually find my touch repulsive? A slow, dangerous smile curled his lips as he watched her.
Fine, wash it off for now, Elara. But I'm going to coat your entire body in my kisses until there isn't a single inch of skin left for you to scrub.