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I must make some sound, because she turns, ice-blue eyes landing on me. Instead of surprise or guilt, her face breaks into a wide, genuine smile.
"There you are! I was wondering when you'd wake up." She wipes her hands on a cloth tucked into her waistband. "You look like shit, no offense."
I blink, taken aback by her bluntness. "I... what?"
"Sorry, that's just my way." She gestures to the kitchen table. "Sit before you fall over. You're greener than dreelk leaves."
I remain frozen in the doorway. "Who are you?"
"Oh! Right." She laughs, the sound bright and uncomplicated. "I'm Jackie. Your new cook and cleaner, courtesy of your brooding demon." She extends a hand. "And apparently your pregnancy assistant, from what I hear."
I don't take her hand, processing her words. "Vael hired you?"
"Sure did. Showed up at my door at dawn, looking all serious and important." She drops her hand without offense. "Said he needed someone who understood human pregnancies and wouldn't try to poison you." She winks. "I've got excellent references on both counts."
Relief floods through me, followed immediately by confusion. Why would Vael go to such trouble?
"You look like you could use this." Jackie turns back to the counter, pouring steaming liquid into a mug. The scent reaches me—ginger and something else, mild but aromatic. "Special blend for pregnancy nausea. Helped three women through their first trimesters with this stuff."
I approach cautiously, accepting the mug. "Thank you." I take a small sip, surprised by the pleasant, gentle flavor. "It's good."
"Course it is. I don't make shit things." She resumes chopping herbs. "Your demon mentioned you had a rough night. Morning sickness hitting early, huh?"
"My demon," I mutter, settling into a chair. "He's not my anything."
Jackie shoots me a knowing look but doesn't comment. "First pregnancy's always the worst. Your body's like, 'what the fuck is happening' and just rebels against everything."
Despite myself, I smile. There's something refreshing about her directness.
"So, Vael hired you just for... cooking and cleaning?" I try to keep my tone casual.
"And to keep an eye on you when he's away hunting." She shrugs. "He was very specific about making sure you eat properly and don't strain yourself."
A strange warmth spreads through my chest. I quickly tamp it down. This is practical, not personal. Vael is protecting his investment.
"I don't need a babysitter," I say, even as I take another sip of the surprisingly effective tea.
"Good, because I'm not one." Jackie tosses ingredients into a bowl with practiced efficiency. "I'm just here to make sure you don't keel over from eating the wrong things or cleaning toomuch. Pregnant humans have different needs than demons, and that man clearly has no idea what to do with you."
The way she says it—matter-of-fact and without judgment—makes me relax slightly. But a new feeling surfaces, a prickle of something uncomfortable as I watch her move confidently through Vael's kitchen.
Envy.
How easily she occupies this space, how naturally she speaks of Vael. How many others has she helped? How many other women has Vael brought into his home?
The questions swirl in my mind, irrational but persistent. I grip my mug tighter.
"Been working for demon households long?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
"Most of my life." Jackie cracks something that looks like an egg but with a blue shell into the bowl. "Good money, if you can handle the attitudes. Better than the alternatives for humans here."
I open my mouth to ask more when heavy footsteps approach from the hallway. My pulse quickens before I can control it.
Vael appears in the doorway, his imposing frame filling the space. His red-gold eyes sweep the kitchen before landing on me. Something in his expression shifts.
"You're awake." His deep voice disturbs the air between us. "How are you feeling?"
Jackie glances between us with barely concealed interest. I swallow, suddenly aware of how I must look—hair unbrushed, face likely still pale from sickness, caught off guard in his kitchen with another woman.