The second her lips rested on his, fire burned through Fin. There was nothing else in the world, only the feeling that everything was finally right. Everything was incredible. No thoughts could exist.

For Annika, tingling exploded in her belly. She leaned closer to him, feeling his warmth, and knowing that she belonged in its enticing reach.

She didn’t know how long it had been in the silence with her mouth on his, but when she pulled away and saw the slight reddening in his cheeks and his look of breathless confusion, she felt her stomach flip.

“I-I’m so sorry. Please don’t feel like just because I-I’m a Lady you can’t say no. I know I shouldn’t have-”

Fin’s hands were around the back of her head, his thumbs pressed gently against her jaw and cheeks when he kissed her again.

This time it was more desperate, yet somehow still tender as he loosed his pent up passion for the noble he had no right to share a meal with, let alone kiss.

His body rocked forward, drawn to every inch of her, wanting to touch every part of her being. Fin felt as though he couldn’t ever stop as everything from the soles of his feet to his tallest hair finally felt like he was Godsdamn right where he was meant to be.

Annika gripped his tunic still pulling him to her, wishing she could forever live in that moment where she was so happy she could cry.

Fin felt himself wanting more, needing more, and as he gently pressed even closer, Annika began leaning backwards, pulling him down towards the table with her. Fin’s right hand moved from her face to her back. Her tunic still remained rolled up but when he felt her exposed back, it was as though a jolt shot through him and snapped him back to his senses.

He immediately released Lady Jenoure, and braced his hands on either side of her on the table. He took shallow gasps to recover more fully from the surrender of fervor that had inebriated him, and didn’t dare look at her as he did so.

Annika couldn’t mask her disappointment fully as she stared dejectedly at him. She knew what he was going to say the minute he stopped. She watched the way he was regaining control with every breath, and felt her hopes sinking down through the floor.

He pushed back from the table and stepped away from her. Annika’s hands trembled ever so slightly as she unfurled her tunic back down, and for a brief moment, rubbed the fabric between her fingers hesitantly.

“My Lady I-” Fin’s voice was hoarse as he stared at the ground, trying to settle his pounding heart.

“Don’t you dare.”

Fin’s eyes snapped up to see Annika glaring at him, the hurt obvious on her face mixed with frustration.

“What do you-”

“Godsdamnit Fin this is ridiculous!” She snapped as she stepped down onto the ground, straightening her shoulders and resisting the urge to wince at the pain that came from the movement.

“It isn’t ridiculous. You know we can’t, you know-” Fin started his hands opening and closing in fists as he stared to his right instead of at her.

“What do you want from me?” The coldness in her tone made Fin slowly turn his gaze back to her.

“Please don’t ask me that.” His voice was quiet, but no less harsh.

“Do you just want to bed me? A quick roll in the sheets? Is that why it isn’t worth pursuing? A meaningless fornication isn’t worth risking your neck; that I can completely understand. Tell me that’s the reason, and I’ll accept it with no hard feelings.”

Fin’s jaw clenched and his eyes shifted to a spot on the window behind Annika. The rain pounded it relentlessly, the tattering the only sound in the room as the Lady stared furiously up at him. After a few moments, she spoke again.

“Just admit that’s it. I’m taking a great risk too you know. You’d be fired sure, but I’d be scorned and outcast. I’d never marry again. Hell, I could even end up causing Daxaria to be slaughtered in a war over it.” The bitter loathing in her tone failed to make him look at her again.

“This wouldn’t go anywhere past a few trysts.” Fin’s voice was tight, his face still. “You deserve better than a few reckless meetings that could cost you-”

“I’m the one who will decide what I want to risk. Not you. Right now I just want you to tell me what it is you want. Honestly, I’m starting to think you like toying with me. Making me want you more and more, then being cold and distant to make me feel alone in my feelings for you. Making me chase you to confirm it. Well I’m not going to make a fool of myself for you.” She snapped acidly stepping nearer to him.

“If all this is is a physical need to scratch an itch, why don’t we just bang it out now and leave it at that, hm? I promise I won’t do anything stupid like renounce my fortune and title for you over one coupling.” Her words dripped with anger and challenge.

Fin’s eyes finally fell to hers, and that was when she saw how incensed he was. He stared down at her icily, and stepped nearer while staring down at her.

“You want me to tell you why I won’t say anything? Why I won’t just take you on my kitchen table?”

Annika didn’t scare easily, but he was making her feel… aggressively worried. She didn’t let him see that though. She steeled herself and scowled up at him.

“Desperately. Enlighten me.”

“Because if I do that, I won’t ever let you go. I want every part of you and I’ll take it, and then? You’ll hate me. You’ll hate what being with me will cost. You’ll lose not just your fortune or favor in court. The war aside? You will lose the right to be close to the Queen whom you love. You won’t be able to make a difference in this kingdom if you can’t be a spy, and that’s who you are. I am not worth you giving up everything. You barely know me.”

Fin’s words had an odd affect on the Viscountess.

Her ire and hatred melted on her face, and instead she suddenly looked distressed and as though she could weep.

“Then let’s find a way! We can try to find how it could be acceptable. You already are growing closer with some of the most influential men on the continent- y-you’ve saved the Queen and her child, you saved all of us from Hilda! You-”

Fin cupped her face again, and for a heart stopping moment, Annika thought he was going to kiss her again, which silenced her words at once.

Instead, he pressed his forehead to hers, and stared into her eyes with open anguish.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry-”

“Stop it.” Annika bit out, her voice cracking.

“We can’t.” The words choked Fin, but he still said them, his hands dropping to his sides as he once again stepped away from her.

For a minute, Lady Jenoure genuinely appeared to be on the brink of tears. She stared at his face pleadingly, but when she saw his resolute stubbornness, her iron core sucked back her emotions. Her face went perfectly blank.

She looked him in the eyes without a whisper of emotion.

“Coward.”

Turning on her heel, Annika stalked over to the garden door, her hand was on the handle as behind her Fin stared defeated at the floor rubbing the back of his neck. He couldn’t watch her go. The urge to have her back in his arms was too strong.

“Oh Mr. Ashowan?”

The singsong voice Annika used made Fin’s insides twist painfully.

Using every ounce of self-control he possessed, he mastered his face and looked at the Lady, only to regret it instantly.

She beamed a flawless smile at him.

Her fakest one yet.

“No hard feelings, you’re right. I barely know you.” She left then, without a second of hesitation to delve back into the pouring rain outside.

Leaving Fin rubbing his face and finding himself in desperate need of shouting.

*

When the aides returned after the lunch flurry was over, they could all see something had the cook well and truly distraught. There were the restrained movements, the lack of verbal response, oh- and the kitchen knife that floated behind him of its own accord.

The new kitchen aide Heather and the rest of the kitchen Knights gaped openly on the garden path, while Hannah slapped her hands on her eyes and wordlessly herded the group back from where they came before the cook noticed his audience. She then bullied all of them around the edge of the gardens so that Fin would neither see nor hear them.

When she was certain they were outside of earshot, Hannah nodded to signify they could begin to speak.

“What the hell was that?!” Sir Harris exploded his eyes wide with panic.

“Are there ghosts in the kitchen?” Sir Taylor wondered, his blue eyes round.

“Is Mr. Ashowan a mage?!” Heather squeaked before she hastily covered her mouth again.

Hannah held up her hand and once again silenced them.

“He really is terrible at hiding his nonsense.” She muttered with a sigh before speaking up.

“No. Fin is a witch. If he were a mage, he would have one of the crystals the mage academies give out to their graduates remember?”

The aides all had their jaws dropped.

“Is that why we had to work in his cottage instead of the kitchens when it rained yesterday?” Sir Andrews asked faintly.

“Yes. I have no idea why he hides it, but I don’t want to bother him by letting him know his secret’s out with his staff.” Hannah explained patiently.

“W-When did you find out?” Heather’s voice came out as a squeak.

“Peter and I found out shortly after Fin got the new window replaced by Lord Fuks. I guess he forgot for a day or two that he didn’t charm it because I could see and hear inside, and I saw him using his magic as he cooked.” Hannah paused, shaking her head before continuing. “He charms the window to show himself cooking away, but none of the floating cutlery- enough of that though. We have a bigger issue.” She announced importantly.

“What could be bigger than finding out our cook is a…a…” Sir Andrews faltered on the words, still trying to wrap his head around it.

“A witch. Yes yes. You’ll see because it ties together with that.” The kitchen staff were too befuddled to argue with her.

“Fin and Lady Jenoure are in love, and I’m certain that it is why he is losing control of his magic.” Hannah declared, meeting each and every eye upon her.

Sir Lewis, Harris, and Andrews shared nervous chuckles as they glanced at each other nervously.

Sir Taylor was the only one still struggling to emote; yet he was the first to speak.

“Well he certainly aims high enough.” The Knight remarked glibly while nodding at Hannah.

“Yes he does. Then again, Lady Jenoure has been a little obvious herself over him.”

The blank blinking stares Hannah faced over her last statement lasted for a few moments before they all broke out laughing.

“L-Lady Jenoure?! The infamous Viscountess known as one of the most beautiful women on the continent? The woman with songs written about her, wealthy and powerful men after her- and you think she wants the cook?!” Sir Harris had tears streaming down his face as he doubled over gasping. The only one of them not in full commotion was Heather.

“I get it.” The maid said with an attempt at appearing nonchalant.

The Knights gradually quieted down, and Sir Andrews was the first to address the newest kitchen aide.

“What do you mean you ‘get it’?”

Heather briefly glanced at Hannah who pursed her lips, rolled her eyes and nodded in affirmation to the girl.

“You know Mr. Ashowan is really attractive right? He makes amazing food, and even though he’s not a Knight, he can fight- everyone knows that. He defended Hannah, and now he also has magic powers? He is very desirable. I just thought he was gay until the last few minutes.” She shrugged.

All the Knights grew concerned by the seriousness with which the girl spoke.

“Fin is desirable to women?” Sir Harris ventured slowly, his voice filled with awe.

“The majority of the women in this castle feel that way, yes.” Hannah affirmed patiently.

Sir Harris turned his hazel eyes to her deep blue ones imploringly.

“Do… do you like him?”

“Not even slightly in that way. He’s more like… a grumpy dad. I’d say older brother, but I see him yelling at me to get off his flowerbeds better than I do him having a bunch of boyish revelry with friends or pulling pigtails.”

For the first time in the discussion, everyone was in agreement.

“Alright, so Lady Jenoure and our cook are a thing- isn’t she in the midst of picking a new husband?” Sir Lewis observed quietly.

“She is. Which is why we need to light a fire under his ass. He is trying to contain everything, but is failing horribly. Hence the knife show.” Hannah waved over her shoulder.

“He could more than likely earn quite a bit of wealth and status if he relied on his powers or actually tried- he’s just being an idiot. The King has sought his company more times than I wish to count.” Hannah shook her head with a sigh. “So, we need to help him along at every turn.” She ordered imperiously.

The Knights glanced at each other, and the small maid was worried she had lost her audience, when Sir Taylor stepped forward.

“What would you have us do?”

Hannah grinned her demonic smile.

The smile that was starting to become quite frequent…

Much to Sir Harris’ delight.

*

Fin was in the midst of a deep stress the morning following his encounter with the Lady Jenoure, and everyone was pretending not to notice. Except for the young Prince sitting at his table.

While the aides had a more gentle, nuanced approach to dealing with the disgruntled cook, the precocious seven- soon to be eight year old had his own methods.

“Why are you being weird?” The boy asked after watching Fin slap down the head of lettuce with enough vigor to rattle the knives on the table.

The cook’s eyes snapped up to the young boy, and he immediately sought control of his features.

“Just a lot on my mind. So your father changed the day of your masquerade?” Fin asked, trying his best to turn his mind away from Lady Jenoure.

“Yeah! I mean… I don’t mind ‘cause I’m not great at dancing.” Eric leaned his cheek into his right hand looking weary beyond his young years. Fin nearly laughed aloud.

“If it makes you feel any better, I can’t dance a single step. On Quildon, there weren’t even town dances. Everyone generally kept to themselves there.” Fin explained while managing a small grin at the boy. The Prince listened while sipping his milk, unable to feign interest in the cook’s dull history.

The lad suddenly perked up, unaware that he now sported a dapper milk mustache.

“Hey! What if you learned with me! Then, I wouldn’t be the worst and, and you could come to my party. My dad changed the theme too… it’s now a costume party, but I kind of like that better. I want to be a Kraken!” Eric rushed out excitedly, his voice unknowingly increased in volume.

The kitten sharing the name of the sea creature was on his way out the garden door, along with the aides, but at hearing his name he turned and let out a small ‘mew’. Fin didn’t understand why the rest of them all turned around slowly with conspiratorial smiles as well.

“That’s right Fin! You should learn to dance with him!” Hannah rushed out gleefully while taking several steps back into the kitchen.

The cook shot her a withering stare that she promptly ignored and continued beaming.

“Yeah! I’m tired of Morgan making fun of me. I could ask Lady Laurent to teach me here instead! Mother won’t mind, and I could get my snack sooner.” Eric announced looking entirely too pleased with his idea.

Fin could feel his cheeks growing hot as everyone around him shared animated looks.

“What about all of you? You all can dance?” He asked with the faint hopes that they would provide him an escape.

“We’re Knights. Of course we can.” Sir Lewis blinked astounded that the cook was forgetting their elevated status. He then frowned down at his apron, and his shoulders slumped for a brief moment before straightening.

Fin’s gaze darted to Hannah.

“Even I know the country dances.” She shrugged.

The witch was still skeptical over the mischievous glint in Hannah’s eye, but turned his attention back to Eric, who was already giving him wide, pleading eyes.

‘That is not even fair.’ He thought grumpily.

“Alright. Fine. I will participate in your dance lessons, but we are pretty busy these days Eric. So we will most likely have to start these instructions veeeery early in the morning. Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” The cook was expecting the child to hesitate at the very least, but he underestimated the Prince’s commitment to his idea.

He was nodding so enthusiastically that there wasn’t any wiggle room for Fin to argue the point further.

“I’ll go to the dance lessons Eric, but I do not think your parents would like a lowly cook at the ball. It isn’t proper.” Fin pointed out reasonably, not noticing Hannah’s look of determination and the Knights sharing secretive smiles.

Eric looked thoroughly annoyed.

“All day I have to learn about proper things. How to walk, bow, talk… I hate it. Why can’t I be friends with who I like and have them around?” The Prince looked visibly upset, so Fin decided not to bring up their class divide and instead comfort the boy.

“There are a lot of things that are tough in the world, but just remember one thing.” Fin smiled, and despite the boy wanting to wallow in his predicament, the cook could see he was eager to hear his advice.

“In my kitchen, it isn’t like out there. In my kitchen, we can all eat, talk, and laugh as much as we want. It doesn’t matter if it is your dad or the local vendor that is here, my kitchen is safe. So if you want a break from all of that, come see me okay?”

Eric beamed up at Fin, and the Knights grinned as they all turned and left the room to return to work.

The Prince dug back into his afternoon snack of jam slathered on gooey cheese and bread, and Hannah spun around enthusiastically and skipped outside.

Fin shook his head, but he did feel marginally better after having helped someone else with their own issues. If only his were so easily fixed.