“Because the person was boring them. They thought a horse would be more interesting.”
“Was it?”
“Much more interesting. The horse had opinions. Very strong opinions about the trade negotiations happening at the time.”
I could picture it. My grandparents, looking innocent while chaos erupted around them. It sounded exactly like something they’d do.
We continued training until the sun started setting. I managed to open three more portals to the correct locations, which Casimya said was progress. I also opened one to what looked like someone’s closet, and one to a snowy mountain peak that sent a blast of freezing air through before I closed it.
“You are improving,” Casimya said as we finished up. “Slower than I’d like, but improving.”
“I opened a portal underwater.”
“But you closed it quickly. You have to see the bright side.”
Killian was doing a little victory dance, spinning in circles with his arms out. “I’msogood at magic! Thebes! THE BES AT MAGIC!”
“Best. Yes you are, baby,” I said.
“The bes-t in the whole world!” He spun faster.
“How does he have this much energy?” I asked Casimya. I was exhausted, my clothes were still damp from the underwater incident, and my brain felt wrung out.
“The cookies!” Killian announced, as if that explained everything.
Right. The cookies with chocolate chips he’d negotiated from Sorcha this morningagain. He was going to be a hell of a King someday. Unmatched negotiation skills. Plus his sugar rushes lasted all day.
Which reminded me…The guards who’d protected Killian during the assassination attempt.
I’d been meaning to do something meaningful to thank all of them for saving my baby, more so in between the hellshow that was the banquet and how it had brought up terrible opinions about us. No one had doubted on risking their lives for us and my baby. Torin had been right there, fighting without hesitation. Others had helped secure the area, checked on Sorcha, kept Killian safe while Mal was fighting. I wanted to thank them, and my son had given me the perfect idea to show how grateful I was.
“I want to bake cookies,” I said suddenly. Because homemade cookies from the Queen would be a hell of a gift, wouldn’t it?Ifthey came out right.
Killian stopped spinning. “COOKIES? We’re making cookies?”
“To thank the guards who helped protect you.”
His eyes went huge with excitement. “What kind of cookies?”
“What kind do you want to make?”
“Chocolate chip! No wait, sugar cookies! No wait, BOTH!”
“Both it is.”
“And monster cookies!”
“Monster cookies aren’t a thing.”
“They are now!” He was bouncing again, even more energetic than before.
It didn’t take us long to reach the kitchens. The problem was the castle’s head cook, who looked up as soon as we entered and immediately pointed at the door.
“Mykitchen. OUT.”
She was not the warmest person in this castle, but I knew she secretly loved me.
“Please?” I tried my best pleading expression. “We’ll clean up. We’re doing cookies.”
