The kitchen was quiet except for the soft kettle hum on the stove.
Grayson stood at the counter with total focus. He held a porcelain teacup like a fragile gem, pouring the hot water with slow, perfect care. Anyone watching would think he was completing an ancient dark ritual, but he was simply making jasmine tea for his human wife.
"If the water is one degree too hot, the leaves burn," Grayson muttered to himself, his eyebrows pulled together in deep concentration.
Mailah sat at the kitchen island, resting her chin in her hands with a fond smile. "Grayson, it is just tea. You don't need to inspect every leaf."
Grayson turned around, holding the cup on a small saucer. He walked over like a king presenting a royal crown, setting it gently in front of Mailah.
"Nothing I give you is 'just' anything, Mailah," Grayson said, his deep voice smooth and full of warmth. He leaned down, pressing his lips softly against her cheek before standing up tall to face Chloe.
