“Here,” Zotera said, touching a shelving unit between the dress racks. She opened one of the drawers. “And here are the undergarments you like.”
“Thank you.”
She left me to dress, and I felt like a damn princess as I stood in the middle of all those clothes, trying to decide what to wear.
Dazed but clothed, I left the closet and went to the living room, where Zotera had the TV on and was watching another cooking show explaining how to make a layered chocolate cake with ganache.
The doorbell rang, and Zotera popped up from her spot.
“I’ll make a cake for us next,” she said over her shoulder as she went to the door.
I caught a glimpse of Eliana outside with Fenris a few steps back before Zotera blocked my view.
“Hi,” Eliana said. “We heard what happened to Oanen. What are the chances Fenris will go flying too?”
“Fenris is safe,” Zotera said, stepping aside and inviting them in before I could say anything.
The ward didn’t react to either of them, which surprised me since I hadn’t actually invited them to enter. Zotera had.
I watched Eliana’s expression as she stared at my transformed house while slowly making her way toward me.
“Zotera, this is absolutely incredible. People would pay a lot for you to do this to their homes.” She spun a slow circle, taking it all in, and Zotera beamed with shy pride.
“People?” Fenris asked, his gaze dancing with humor. “Or us?” He glanced at Zotera. “Want to trade some cooking lessons for some home modifications?”
“You like it, too?” Zotera asked.
Fenris shot her an amused smile. “Of course I do. Eliana is in love with it, and I love everything she loves.”
Zotera gave me an excited look. “Can I have cooking lessons?”
“Absolutely,” I said.
“How did the soufflés turn out?” Fenris asked, turning toward Zotera.
“Let me show you,” she said.
I followed them into the kitchen and watched Zotera’s growing excitement at each bit of praise they gave her for her accomplishments. Fenris’ over-the-top inhalations when Zotera removed the twin soufflés from the oven had me laughing.
His eyes rolled back as he took his first bite. Eliana shook her head at him but looked amused.
“You need to meet Eliana’s dad,” he said between bites. “He’s an amazing cook. That’s how I knew how to make one of these. But I swear his doesn’t taste this good. He’s going to want to learn your secrets.”
“I want to learn how to make a chocolate cake layered with whipped chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache frosting. Does he know how to make that?”
Eliana was already texting. While she was distracted, Fenris switched plates with her and started eating her meal too.
“I can make another one,” Zotera said. She touched Eliana’s plate, and the remnants of Fenris’ first meal, which weren’t many, changed into another soufflé and salad.
Both of them paused and looked at her.
“How did you do that?” Fenris asked.
“No.”
All three of them looked at me in surprise at my sharp word.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like that. I just didn’t want Zotera to tell you.” I quickly looked at her. “I trust Eliana and Fenris. But after hearing Eliana’s story and what happened yesterday, I don’t trust the Council.”
