Tabitha removed the pan from the heat and l poured in the vanilla, which caused the mixture to fizzle loudly as the alcohol burned off, then mixed in the pecans.
What did my magic feel like? Apparently, it had been a natural force I never questioned before. I tried to find the well somewhere inside of me…but felt nothing but the warmth of good company and the sweetness of baking with someone new.
We poured out the caramel into a greased pan to cool. We were just starting to cut the pieces when Tabitha’s daughter arrived to take over.
“Now about that hair.” Tabitha turned to me, capable hands on hips.
Terrine got to work wrapping the pieces of caramel while Tabitha led me out of the kitchen to a small parlor beside the main entry hall. I took one last look at the caramels, willing my magic into them as my mind spiraled wildly. I huffed out a defeated breath. There had to be more I didn’t understand. I’d need to ask Elden for my next lesson.
Within minutes, I stared at my reflection in a tall mirror gilded with golden songbirds and blossoms. Living wildflowers and brilliant mushrooms grew straight out of the tall tree walls in a carpet of color. Amethyst gemstones shone in twinkling lights. Tabitha worked efficiently, if not a bit roughly on my hair. She twisted and braided my bluebell mane with white ribbon, then tucked small white flowers throughout my braids.
“This is where I prepare the brides before their weddings. It has always been my honor here in Spindlewood.” Tabitha smiled dreamily.
“I can see why they come to you,” I said in awe. My mother and Rafia had both been amazing with my hair, but Tabitha was a force of nature. I turned my head from side-to-side marveling at the way my curls twisted. The way my hair was plaited to bestshow off my cheekbones, slender neck, and illusionary elves’ ears.
Elden’s face was clearly visible through the mirror as he made his way to the doorway. His deep voice mumbled, “beautiful.”
Had he said the word to himself or was this part of the ruse we maintained to stay undetected?
“Your bride certainly is radiant,” Tabitha said as she spun me around to face Elden.
My stomach dropped as Elden smiled in the disarming way only he knew. I blinked, caught off guard by the open look and the way his golden eyes sparkled. He entered the room wearing a fitted suit of threaded gold on russet brown. Not too fine, but he could wear a flour sack and make it look regal. His suit was the perfect complement to my satin green dress. How was he so good at faking this doting husband bit?
I smiled back, struggling to meet his eyes. I was not used to this kind of attention—true attention—from anyone, not to mention this was the Elf King, and I better not forget it.
He may not have taken a maid every year for hundreds of years, but his father had. I would not lose my heart to this male—no matter that he looked incredibly handsome and regal in his suit with his black hair falling down his back.
I swallowed down my nerves and stood. Elden’s eyes searched me from the tips of my toes to the top of my head, lingering a bit too long on my lips. I flushed.
“Thank you.” Elden bowed to Tabitha. He bowed, actually bowed to her. The Elf King.
Tabitha stammered, then blinked, rubbing her pregnant belly. “Y-yes, of course. Come child, you mustn’t be late to the celebration. Todd, Terrine and I will meet you a bit later. We still have some finishing up to do around here.”
Elden took my arm and placed his hand above mine. His warmth seeped into my whole being as my traitorous heart soared on a high wind.Do not be overcome.Might as well tell yeast not to rise in a warm oven.
We strode through the inn and out into the cool autumn night. Magnificent trees surrounded us on all sides as we strode through the street toward the center of town. All the shops were closed, but we did encounter kind villagers offering glad greetings on the way, everyone dressed in their best attire. Bright reds and pops of gold and green. All hues of dark gemstones.
Despite my formal attire, I still kept my leather satchel around my shoulders with Jel’s potion, my lucky spoon, and cookbook close to me at all times. The weight of it grounded me, reminding me of who I was, and why I was here.
“I learned how to make those salted caramels,” I said.
“Did you?” Elden mused. “And how did they turn out?”
I rummaged in my sac, pulling out a couple of wrapped treasures. I always kept a treat or two in my sack. You never knew when the need was going to hit out of nowhere. “I guess you should check them, just in case they have magic.”
Elden took a caramel and popped it into his mouth. He chewed and closed his eyes.
“Well?” Were they good? Was there any magic in it? I held onto the crook of his arm expectantly.Please have magic.
“It is delicious, as always.” Elden looked down into my expectant face, “But I do not feel any magic.”
My shoulders slumped, and I heaved out a disappointed breath. “How do I do it? What did I do wrong?”
“Perhaps it didn’t work because you labored with someone else?” Elden offered.
“Maybe.” I bit my lip deep in thought. “Can you tell me about each of the times you tasted my baking magic? I’ll consider what I did differently.”
Science, collecting evidence and weeding out outliers was always a good start. Elden pursed his lips as we approached the bustling crowd of festive elves. Jaunty music drifted along through the breeze. A general sense of excitement tinged the air like a zest of lemon in a tart.
