“Does she now?” Taryn crosses her arms over her chest. “I didn’t think royals had compassion.”
“Taryn!” Zinnia frowns in displeasure.
Taryn laughs, moving from her spot near the door to sit at the table. “I’m kidding. Raelys isn’t so bad.”
Zinnia huffs, rolling her eyes at Taryn. She pours the hot water into the container with the herbs to steep. I watch her closely, trying to memorize the steps she takes so I can recreate them later.
“And how do you two know each other, Taryn?” Zinnia checks on the scones in the oven.
“I helped escort Raelys across the flatlands to Khalessor,”Taryn explains. “I’m surprised you’re still here. I thought you would’ve been shipped back to Cathros by now.”
“You and me both,” I say jokingly, knowing Wrath would never risk that when he still needs me to break the curse. I spoon some honey into the tea and mix it.
“Annoyed with the king yet?” she asks with a devious smile.
I chuckle. Annoyed? Yes. Wrath irks me to no end because the rest of the world fades into insignificance when I'm in his presence. There are these fleeting moments where I catch a glimpse beneath the surface and see who he truly is. The more we quarrel, the more I understand him. It’s annoying how well we see one another. But I wouldn’t dare say anything about this aloud.
“The blade isn’t as menacing as I thought,” I reply, pouring the tea into cups and setting them on the table.
“Then you haven’t truly seen the blade,” Taryn says ominously as she sips her tea. “You don’t think he’s infatuated with you, Raelys?”
I choke on my tea. The hot liquid burns my nose and throat as I cough and gasp for relief, my hand covering my face. “Of course not!” I scoff, shaking my head. “Don’t be absurd.”
“Now, that’s something I would pay to see.” Taryn laughs, relaxing back into her chair.
“How’s work been recently, Taryn?” Zinnia asks sweetly.
Taryn rolls her eyes. “Awful! Goddess above, that Penelope woman is a spoiled, arrogant, imperious little?—”
Zinnia cuts her off. “Now, now, Taryn. Be nice.”
I recognize the name—one of the figures Aurelia had mentioned. A highborn Elvarran woman. I don’t know much about her and wonder if I will encounter her at the castle.
“If I have to escort her one more time from Corovya, I willquit the king's guard,” Taryn threatens. “She acts all high and mighty, but she has no idea that her father isbroke.”
My eyes widen. This is my chance to gain some vital information. “No.” I mock a dramatic gasp. “Do tell.”
“Ten thousand Platasia in feudal dues he didn’t pay.” Taryn releases her frustrations. “It left hundreds of soldiers without pay for weeks! The Duke of Thalvar had to cover the costs.” She runs a hand through her hair. “Don’t tell anyone I told you that!”
“I would never tell a soul.” I hide my smile as I take another sip of tea. Setting down my cup, I open the oven and check the scones.
“Oh!” Zinnia exclaims. “They look done.” She folds a rag to grab the tray from the oven, then sets the steaming pastries on the counter to cool.
Leaning over, I inhale the sweet air from the scones, savoring the lovely scent. “Zinnia, these are exquisite!”
“Thank you!” Zinnia smiles. “It’s my recipe.”
I pluck a scone from the sheet, blowing on it a few times before taking a bite. It is delicious, flaky, and tart from the berries. I sigh, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease, as the soft, comforting warmth of the pastry fills me.
Taryn stands, taking a scone from the tray. “Good to see you, my dear sister.” She wraps her arms around Zinnia’s shoulders and hugs her close. “See you around the castle, Raelys.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“Lord Cerian?”Kaia muses. “Why didn’t you say so!” She moves to a drawer, rifling through some parchment and whipping one out. “This is his tab.”
My brows raise. “Three hundred gold?!”
“He’s here nearly every night.” She shrugs.
