888

"The paper said, 'This is only a preview of the truly romantic gifts coming,' Agni," Soma said as he put down the newspaper. Smiling impishly, he added, "It looks more like breakfast to me."

Agni chuckled. "You are correct in saying it's breakfast, my prince." He smiled as he set the plate in front of Soma. "However, I do do it for love."

"I know, and I love that you take care of me so well, Agni, but is there anything I can do for you?" Soma shoveled in a forkful of his pancakes. "Besides, loving you…" he added shyly.

"That, my prince is a gift beyond price." Agni smiled and poured his beloved a cup of tea and sat down.

Changing the subject, Soma said, "Would you like some of my pancakes, Agni?"

"No thank you, my prince. I ate when I got up this morning."

"Oh…" Soma set his fork down. His eyes went wide when he noticed a spider crawling on his beloved khansama's hand. "Agni…"

"Yes, my prince?"

The prince gestured towards Agni's hand. "There's a spider on you."

Agni looked down at his hands. "Well, so there is."

"But…" He shuddered, thinking about the few days they had spent at the Trancy manor and all the spiders there. "I don't know, they're creepy and remind me of that place…"

"I know, but it's still a life, my prince," Agni said. "I'll take her outside and let her go."

"Okay, Agni." Soma finished eating his breakfast, while Agni got up and went outside for a few minutes.

He returned a few minutes later. "She's gone now, my prince."

"Thank you, Agni." Soma smiled. "If I think of that as a preview of some upcoming romantic gifts…"

Agni laughed. "I promise to make your favorite curry for dinner and your second favorite for lunch."

"You really do love me!"

"Of course I do, my prince. Was there any doubt?

"No…"

"Good. Now would you like me to make you some more pancakes?"

"No, that's okay, Agni. Can I help you with anything?"

Agni thought it over. "There's nothing to be done, except clean up your breakfast dishes, which wouldn't take me all that long to do and then I need to go to the market. Would you like to help me with that?"

"Can I?"

"Of course you can, my prince."

"Good! Then let's hurry up! I believe the market is full of romantic gifts," Soma teased.

Agni laughed. "Indeed..."