“Give me an example of something you may like,” I said, my interest piqued.
“Well, one of my most favorite dishes contains finely chopped eggs, meat, potatoes, pickled cucumbers, peas, and onion, and it’s all combined with an egg and oil–based cream.”
I couldn’t keep from making a face of disgust. “That sounds horrendous.”
The sound of Ariana’s laughter filled the room. It was probably the first time I ever saw her appear so comfortable. It was undoubtedly the first time I ever heard her freely laugh. The sound brought a smile to my lips. I liked hearing it.
“It is absolutely delicious. You do not know what you are missing.”
“It seems lazy. To simply combine everything into a bowl,” I commented with a look of disgust while shock caused her mouth to drop open.
“Lazy!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide in surprise. “You clearly have never cooked anything in your life. Do you have any idea the time or patience it takes to finely chop and cook all those things?”
I laughed at the conversation. “I suppose I don’t.”
“I thought Lysians fended for themselves. Yet here you are, a simple spoiled highborn.” Her words were teasing.
“I simply took on training other than culinary,” I answered. Though I never was a fan of being teased, there was something different about it when she did it. I was not angered. Nor did I feel disrespected. Instead, in some odd way, it left me feeling lighter.
“Like fighting?” Ariana mentioned one of the things she assumed I trained in other than cooking.
“Amongst other things,” I affirmed her suspicion.
“Care to show me some moves someday?” Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Did she hope to find a weakness in practicing with me? I chuckled, amused. “You’ve already surpassed Eislyn’s training?”
“No, but I find it best to learn from multiple sources.” Her lips curved.
“It can be a nuisance having too many voices in your ear,” I answered, as though I was not entirely on board with her suggestion, and I wasn’t. Yet, some part of me was fascinated by the possibility of actually feeling what she was made of. I got glimpses of her work with Kole and Eislyn. Ariana still had a very long way to go. Though some of the advantages we have, she could never hope to compete against as a Bavadrin. Yet I was still interested to see how she might hold her own against me.
“I don’t easily get confused,” she countered.
“No, I don’t imagine that you do.” I couldn’t help but feel that there was more to her. It was tucked away, kept hidden, but I sensed it. I wanted to know what it was, what the secrets she kept close to her heart were. There was something unattainable about her, and I desired to obtain it. Mysteries surrounded her. She remained layered in them. Yet I did not see her as a liar. Strange.
Far too often were secrets and lies used synonymously, yet they are not the same. To lie is to deceive or to portray something other than the truth, while secrets are simply undiscovered truths. I typically harbored no fondness for either.
I wanted to peel back every layer of hers and examine whatwas underneath. I wanted her stripped of it all so that when she stood before me, I could see her in her entirety. My pulse climbed at the thought.
I forced myself to refocus. To stay in the present and not run away with my thoughts.
We continued our meals, eating until we were both good and full before finally making our way back.
“If I made you my favorite dish, would you try it?” Ariana asked when we turned onto the hall which our rooms were off.
“That ridiculous concoction?” I asked, and she nodded eagerly. “You wish to make it for me?”
“You hate it and haven’t even tried it. Yes, I want to make it for you and for myself. I just need the ingredients and a space where I can work it without angering any of the cooks you have around here.”
“The cooks aren’t as angry as they look.”
“Speak for yourself. You’re their King. Of course, they are soft towards you.”
“Don’t ever let them hear you call themsoft. But sure. I will make it happen for you. Though I can only promise one bite. Our senses are superior to the Bavadrins’. I will not torture myself by promising to force down an entire bowl of that stuff.”
“Oh, Erik.” Ariana sighed. “You will bebeggingme for seconds. You truly have no idea.”
We shared a brief laugh. One that was cut short after opening the door to the small joint sitting space connecting our rooms.
