Page 46 of Milk & Malice: Vadik

“That’s a fine sight, my sweet breeding cow,” he said from behind me.

I lifted my head, seeing his reflection in the mirrors. He stood at the foot of the bed with a chocolate cake. One candle flickered on it.

I turned around to face him.

“Happy birthday.”

It was May?

Already?

I froze, not knowing how to react.

Then I glanced away from the burning flame.

The same way I’d been dissecting everything about my body and mind for days on end made me study him. This wasn't a sentimental man. He was always self-serving. A cruel man full of malice toward humankind.

He looked awkward holding the cake.

Embarrassed even.

There was just him and me.

I guess Stumpy didn't count.

Nor did the chickens.

This—this was about as good as I would get from a man like him.

A man who only fed me nutritious food laden with vitamins.

Not sugary confectionery.

“Moo,” I huffed, but it sounded like a defeated sigh.

Happy birthday to me.

He beamed and pulled a knife out of his pocket, setting the cake on the bed for me to blow the candle out.

I blew it out, wishing for a miracle that would never occur.

He sliced the cake up and fed it to me.

Oh, chocolate. Soft, spongy, creamy and decadent.

It finished too soon.

I nudged his knee for another slice.

“Moo!”

He chuckled and licked some chocolate ganache off his finger.

The smile vanished, and his gaze looked distant. He stared at the remaining cake, not moving and barely breathing. I almost backed away from him. I could feel the tension around him, his dark aura.

“I've not tasted chocolate for many years,” he murmured, but I wasn't sure if he was speaking to himself or me.

He cut another slice. Not as large as I’d hoped and glanced at me.