NOVPUB
Chapter 38: Do you know what’s hot and spicy?
Kael crouched beside Freya, his battered hands barely steady because of the dull ache pulsing through his arm.
His fingers moved as he worked the cuffs, the steel releasing with a soft, satisfying click as he freed her wrists from the cold metal frame of the cot.
Bruises shadowed his knuckles, but his hazel eyes remained sharp, glinting with alertness beneath the swelling. Every muscle in his body coiled, alert, ready to knock her unconscious again if she so much as flinched the wrong way—but she didn’t.
Freya sat motionless, her hair spilling over her face like a shimmering veil as she rubbed her wrists, her gaze fixed on the peeling wall ahead. She avoided his eyes entirely. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice so low it barely stirred the air, a fragile thread of sound carried on a shallow breath.
Kael lingered for a heartbeat, then rose and stepped toward the door. He paused at the threshold, glancing back at her slumped form, a small, weary smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"If you want ice for those wounds, just knock and ask," he said, his tone calm yet laced with a quiet warmth. It was ironic—she never would have imagined a day when she’d have to ask someone for ice.
Then he pulled the door shut with a muted thud, leaving her alone in the heavy silence.
He shuffled toward the dining table, his stomach growling in protest as his boots dragged across the floorboards.
Fatigue weighed on him, but hunger gnawed deeper. Sinking into a chair beside Rhea, he let out a soft grunt as his body settled.
She sat across from him, an empty noodle box discarded at her elbow, her crimson hair cascading loosely over her shoulders. Her torso still clad in just a bra and bare skin, her amber eyes glinting with mischief as she grinned at him.
"Well, damn, you tamed the bull," she teased, her voice lilting with playful mockery to lighten up the mood.
Kael’s lips curved into a tired but genuine smile, his hunger rumbling louder as he rubbed the back of his neck with a wince.
He’d given Freya his burger earlier, leaving nothing for himself, and now the prospect of cooking loomed like a chore he didn’t have the energy for.
Before he could haul himself up, Rhea slid her noodle box across the table toward him. Not empty, but half-eaten, the spicy strands still steamed faintly, curling wisps of heat into the air.
"Here, saved you some," she said, smirking as he blinked at the unexpected gesture, caught off guard by her generosity.
"Thanks," he muttered without hesitation, grabbing a fork and twirling the noodles with a deft twist of his wrist. The faint scent of chili stung his nose. "Didn’t expect you to be this nice—sharing your precious noodles."
Rhea’s smirk widened as she leaned back, arms crossing loosely under her chest, accentuating her figure with shameless ease. "Only did it to see your dumb face when the heat and spice hits," she shot back, her tone loud and mocking.
"Hmm. Do you know what’s hot and spicy?" Kael’s grin sharpened, his hazel eyes glinting with challenge as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, gravelly murmur. "Your boobies in that bra."
Her cheeks flared a vivid red, hands flying up in a flustered attempt to cover herself—only to push her chest higher, inadvertently giving him an even better view. He chuckled, the sound deep and rough, as she huffed and glared through her blush.
Ignoring her scowl, he stabbed a forkful of noodles into his mouth.
Kael was not a big fan of spicy food, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
Tweaking food’s taste with empathic resonance wasn’t his favorite trick—it felt like cheating, bending the flavor to suit his whims—but with Rhea’s eyes on him, he subtly dialed down the spice.
The fiery bite softened to a gentle hum as he chewed slowly, his expression blank, betraying no hint of discomfort. Her smirk faltered, amber eyes narrowing in disbelief. "What the hell?" she muttered, shoving her chair back with a sharp scrape as she stood, surprised that Kael wasn’t begging for water already.
Kael swallowed, his grin returning as he tilted his head up at her. "What’s up?"
She understood what Kael must have done and waved a dismissive hand, already striding toward the kitchen.
"Noodles won’t cut it—you’re banged up, need more to heal. Eggs and bread, coming up." He leaned back in his chair, watching her retreating figure with a faint smile. "Thanks, Rhea," he called softly. She glanced over her shoulder, spatula already in hand, her crimson hair swinging as she moved. "Don’t thank me—I sucked as your bodyguard. Least I can do."
Kael shrugged, his tone sharpening with a teasing edge. "If you were as good at guarding as you are at flashing your boobs, I’d be spotless right now." Rhea spun on her heel, spatula jabbing toward him like a weapon, her amber eyes flashing with mock indignation.
"Keep talking, and I’ll smack you—hurt or not, you’re making it real tempting." He chuckled again, raising his good hand in playful surrender as she turned back to the stove.
The sizzle of eggs hitting the pan filled the air, accompanied by the warm, buttery scent of toast browning. She whipped up a plate in minutes—scrambled eggs piled high, golden and fluffy, alongside crisp toast—a cliché that hit all the right spots.
She slid the heaping plate toward him, taking a smaller portion for herself, and they ate together, forks clinking softly against ceramic. The food settled heavily in his stomach, easing the jagged edges of the day as he scraped the last bite from his plate.
yawn~~~
Rhea stretched with an exaggerated yawn, pushing her empty plate aside. "Time to sleep," she announced, rising to her feet, bra straps slipping slightly down her shoulders. "By the way, I can help you bathe if you want—scrub those wounds clean."
Kael’s grin returned, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Only if I get to scrub you back." She leaned close, her smirk widening as her voice dropped to a husky whisper. "In your dreams, perv. Give your pp a rest today, you are battered enough." 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
Then she straightened, tone shifting to casual indifference.
"Night, then—I’ll head to my room. Lock me up if you want." He stopped her mid-step, his hand darting out to snag a shopping bag from the table’s edge. "Hold up—almost forgot. Clothes for you too."
Rhea took it, her fingers brushing his briefly, her amber gaze softening as she peeked inside. A grin tugged at her lips.
"Thanks," she said, then winked, her voice dipping slyly. "Once you’re patched up, I’ll wear that slutty dress—give you a show." Kael’s chuckle rumbled low and warm, but his expression sobered almost instantly, hazel eyes narrowing with sudden intent. He remembered something important.
"Rhea, wait! Sit—I need your help with something." he said, his voice dropping to a serious timbre as he nodded toward the chair across from him.
Rhea paused, the bag dangling from her fingers, her brow creasing with confusion. She sank back down, leaning forward with her elbows on the table, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What’s this about?" she asked, her tone cautious.
Kael reached into his jacket, retrieving a folded sheet of crisp white paper. He slid it across the table, the edge whispering against the wood as it came to rest in front of her. She grabbed it, unfolding it slowly, her gaze locking onto the bold heading that leaped from the page:
Superhero Enrollment Application: Ready to Save the World?
