Cold Mark by Scarlett Dawn Read Free Book Online Page B

from fidgeting. "It's just ... " I cleared my throat. "Being bound . I don't particularly like the feeling when you guys are too far away, and the kitchen is on the first floor." Our bedrooms were on the top floor. "Yesterday wasn't pleasant when you two left me alone." They knew this. They had dealt with the aftermath of the guards.
    Leo chuckled softly. "Yesterday, Malik and I traveled to the wall bordering our city when the Human slaves arrived. You going to the kitchen will not be as bad as it was then."
    My eyes widened. "Oh." I had no clue they had left the palace. I had assumed. Turning embarrassed eyes away from him, I peered up into the silver glow of Malik's gaze. "Let's feed me."

The kitchen was normal, except for the severed arm in the sink. There were no tattooed marks on the wrist, so it had to be a Mian limb. Though, that recognition gave me no sense of relief. I held both of my hands over my mouth and tried not to gag. "Please tell me that is not what Mian eat." I had not read anywhere that they were cannibals, but I was learning that our books on them were missing a lot of information. Like, you know, pertinent details about being bound to them. "And please tell me that you have something other than that to fill my belly."
    Malik snorted and strolled to the colossal sized, steel refrigerator unit. "That is for one of our pets." He opened the fridge and gestured for me to peruse the contents. "Unless, of course, you'd like to share with Blaze instead of having what we eat."
    I rushed to the fridge and firmly kept my eyes away from the gore, not thinking about what kind of pet Blaze was. My gaze raked over the bizarre items on the shelves. I picked up one container, with what appeared to be chicken inside of it. "How often does a Mian eat, anyway?" I popped the lid and sniffed the meat. Nope. I put it back in a hurry, pushing it to the far back where it belonged, and kept rifling through the goods.
    Malik leaned a hip against the counter next to me. "Mian eat once a week. It is all we need." He shrugged. "Unless a female is pregnant. She'll eat three times a week then."
    I tilted my head and glanced up and down his muscular frame. I grunted. "No wonder. It's not like you have many calories to burn."
    His thin black brows lifted. "Meaning?"
    "Nothing," I muttered, then bent and searched the lower shelves. I absently lifted a blue container. "Is this safe for me to eat?" It had smelled all right, and it appeared like ground beef.
    "Yes."
    "Okay ... " I straightened and shut the fridge door. "Where's the pantry?"
    He pointed to our left. "There."
    I hit the motherload of sane food in the dry goods section. Happy as a butterfly on a sunny day, I walked out of the pantry holding dry pasta and tomato sauce. I grinned in pure delight. "Spaghetti with meat sauce. Yum."
    Still leaning against the counter, Malik crossed his arms and watched as I searched for pots and pans. "We do have a cook who can prepare that for you. I only need to call her."
    "Nah. I can do it myself." And make sure none of the blood from the severed arm made its way into my spaghetti sauce. "Have you eaten this week? Do you want me to make you some?"
    His reply was not immediate. He eyed my actions as I filled a pot with water. Eventually, he shrugged. "I could eat."
    I did a small dance in front of the stove as I clicked the burners on. "Lunch for two coming up!"
    My stomach growled in agreement.
    I made a lot. I was going to eat !

    Inside the kitchen, Malik sat across from me at the wooden picnic style table. His plate sat in front of him untouched. He eyed the food warily and narrowed his gaze as he watched me take my first bite.
    I groaned in pure satisfaction. I was not sure if they had cloned cows here, so I was not going to ask what kind of meat this was. All I knew was it tasted scrumptious. I pointed my fork at his plate. "I didn't poison the food." My shrug was timid. "It's really good. I promise."
    Malik's silver iridescent gaze