Siroos’s eyes widened in curiosity and his gaze dipped to the food she held. His hunger intensified seeing her place the large plate in front of him and the delicious-looking bread it contained.
"Really? I am starving. This looks so appetising."
Faris quickly leaned in. Much to Siroos’s chagrin, he stole one flatbread before anyone else. Like a conniving crow, sitting in ambush to pounce and steal.
He was holding it in his hand ready to bite.
"Faris! When will you act your age? His mate has cooked for the first time, your brother gets to taste it first." Haylia quickly reprimanded her younger son before he could take a bite.
Cassandra was bunching up her lips so as not to laugh at her brother-in-law’s mischief.
"Bless-o, ma. I am sure brother won’t mind. Right?" He asked with a curiously raised brow towards Siroos.
"I do. Put it back," Siroos answered with a glare.
"Ugh! Why is everyone such a joy killer around me?" Faris disheartenedly placed the bread back; crossing his rugged arms over his chest, he sulked like a child whose toy had been snatched away.
"Patience!" Ranon patted the shoulder of his best friend.
Cassandra began to serve Siroos like she had been taught by Haylia.
She placed the bread on his plate and then served him a large portion of eggs.
Siroos silently watched her with keen eyes and a restless heart. Standing so near, he wished to trace his finger over the edges of the protruding bones of her wrists. But remembering last night, he kept his hands to himself.
He wondered how long he would be able to do that though.
Everyone silently watched as Siroos broke a piece of bread, filled it with some eggs and plopped the morsel into his mouth.
The smell was enticing.
The bread was soft and melted in his mouth like butter; the eggs were not rubbery or burnt but well-cooked.
He raised his warmth-filled eyes towards her, and she was expectantly watching him with her long lashes slightly dipped.
"It’s delicious, you have done well," he amply praised her, and the Beta couple sighed in relief.
A subtle smile spread on her face at being praised.
"I am honoured."
"Finalllyyy! Can I eat now? Or is there going to be a kiss as a reward?"
Faris teased with a boyish grin, making Haylia shake her head, Siroos almost choked on the morsel he was eating and Cassandra blushed deep into her roots.
"I will serve others," she mumbled before scurrying away from Siroos. A smiling Lana helped her, while Ranon invited Ames and Tara over as well.
"Here! I hope you like it." Cassandra filled Haylia’s plate as well. The older woman affectionately smiled.
"Thank you! I appreciate your efforts, Cassandra."
Siroos noticed how his mother didn’t use the appropriate title for his mate and made a mental note to speak to her about it when they were alone.
Cassandra went on to serve a very hungry Faris as well.
"Thank you! Thank you! You are a godsend, best sister." He quickly dug in. Cassandra heartily grinned seeing his enthusiasm.
"Umm! B–est bread and e–ggs I have ever t–asted," he spoke between mouthfuls, raising his thumbs to her.
Cassandra’s heart eased down. Faris always made it seem like every sacrifice she was making was worth it.
"I am glad you like them," she appreciated his praise.
Cassandra moved on to share the food with Ames and Tara as well. Both of them were deeply appreciative of their Luna for preparing delicious food for them.
Ranon and Lana also settled down.
"Come! You must eat as well," Siroos finally ushered her, seeing everyone had been served. He knew how difficult it must have been for her to prepare food in such harsh conditions. And she must be hungry too.
Cassandra went on to sit by Siroos’s side, and he personally served her relatively large portions. She was still too thin and she barely ate. He was highly concerned about her health, and now she was working the fields and also slowly taking up Luna’s duties.
Everyone at the table began to eat with fervour. Chatter broke out with Faris leading the conversation and every now and then getting reprimanded by his mother. But they enjoyed his humour, especially Cassandra.
He was like a brother who had been missing from her life.
While everyone was busy with food, Siroos deliberately moved his leg under the table and brushed his knee against Cassandra’s thigh.
Cassandra’s breath hitched and dislodged in her mouth and she tentatively stole a glance at her mate while trying to keep a steady face.
He ate quietly as if nothing of the sort had taken place, his eyes focused on the food on his plate.
Cassandra gathered her legs together and shifted them to the side so he wouldn’t repeat his actions.
It didn’t halt his actions and his toes wiggled and brushed against her foot. The roughness of his skin almost made her jump out of her seat and the morsel almost got stuck in her throat.
She again tried to develop eye contact with him but without luck. His toe wandered on her ankle for the slightest second before disappearing inside her skirt.
It aimlessly roamed on her bare calf igniting sparks everywhere he made contact. Cassandra sat stiffly now; the food on her plate was forgotten, and only the sensual feeling of his skin against hers remained. She tried to send him a secret glare while trying not to blush so deeply but to no avail.
Everyone was lost in a story Faris was concocting, except Siroos and Cassandra. Here Siroos was writing his own tales on Cassandra’s flesh. The tales which will leave permanent imprints, turning into memories both of them will forever cherish.
Her heart rate was rising along with the sensual movement of his toe against her velvety skin and he could clearly hear how affected she was by him.
The teasing continued while everyone finished their meal.
"Thank you! Luna, this was very appetising," Ames thanked her again, and Cassandra nodded, taking a gulp. Siroos’s toe was dangerously near her womanly folds now and she was clutching her legs shut tightly, while he was trying to part them.
"Ma! Why don’t you lead everyone out to the fields? Cassandra and I will join once she finishes her food." Siroos tacitly said.
"Aight. I will take a round of the fields; the harvesting will begin in an hour when the sun reaches its peak.
"Thanks! Sil, I have a shortened sister-in-law." Faris winked and took a bow before sauntering off with his elbow on Ranon’s shoulder.
Cassandra could only nod while being hyper-aware of Siroos’s foot wedged right between her legs.
Lana and Tara followed them, deep into conversation with Haylia about the estimation of the spice this year.
As soon as everyone was out of earshot, Cassandra turned to Siroos with an annoyed face, but he had already removed his toe by then. Seeing her irritated and extremely flushed, Siroos asked.
"What’s with the glare and the face?"
"You know very well," Cassandra huffed, seeing his nonchalant behaviour. One second, he had his foot up her skirt, and now he was asking what was wrong.
"I don’t. Care to explain?" Siroos lazily questioned watching her with his side eye. It held mischief and she could see it.
Cassandra’s brows bunched together in annoyance; why did he have to tease her like that in front of his family and then act like he did nothing?