Yet, a frightening question popped up as they entered the bakery: what if she didn’t reciprocate those feelings? Right now, he ignored that thought.
“Lead the way, Sundrop.”
Iskra knew, with every passing day, she was digging herself into a deeper hole. Her secrets were unraveling, and the way Bron had his eyes on her felt like she had a target on her back. She knew as soon as they had a private moment, he would be livid with her. Perhaps he would even cancel Iskra and Esi’s scheme. It would be for the best, because being around Jasynwas dangerous. He had some hold on her, like an invisible rope around her body. She needed to sever it before he reined her in fully.
This is temporary, she reminded herself as they entered the bakery.
Chocolate and sugar and fresh baked bread coated her senses. There was a glass case filled with various pastries and desserts—colorful cookies, sugared decorations, intricate chocolate designs. A three tiered cake in the corner mocked her, a reminder that a wedding was not on the table for her.
“Prince Jasyn.” The head baker bowed his head. “Lady Esi, lovely to see you again.” He smiled at her.
She had visited the bakery right when it opened this morning, asking the baker if she and Jasyn could come and bake something together. After she explained who exactly she was, he’d obliged her request.
Jasyn leaned forward, closely inspecting the desserts. His green eyes took in every detail. He reached out toward the more intricately decorated cakes, but he was hindered by the glass encasement keeping them safe.
“Such skill,” Jasyn whispered to himself, but Iskra and the baker glanced at each other, smiling at his words.
“The first step is to bake, and then you can attempt to decorate.”
Jasyn turned to the two of them. Mych and Bron stayed outside, protecting the exterior and keeping everyone out.
“I have no such skill, but I will try nonetheless.”
Iskra wondered if that was Jasyn’s philosophy on becoming king, on life in general. He would always try, even with the possibility of failure.
“Join me in the back,” the baker told them both.
They followed him behind the counter into the back room, where a blast of heat hit them.
“Instructions are here for anything you wish to bake.” The baker pointed to a book. “Ingredients can be found in the cabinets. I’ll be in the front.”
“You’re not helping us?” Iskra asked.
He gave them a playful smile. “I think this a perfect test of compatibility, how well the two of you can work together on something you have no knowledge on.”
The baker left them both then, closing the door behind him.
Iskra’s mouth hung open, and then she huffed a laugh. “I promise, I thought he would guide us through it.”
Jasyn shrugged, already flipping through the pages of the recipe book. “It’s an exciting challenge.”
Iskra cringed. “One the castle will need to pay for.”
Jasyn paused and looked up to her. She thought he was about to scold her, but his eyes shimmered with delight. “I would expect nothing less.”
His eyes strayed back to the book, and she allowed him to decide what they should make.
“How about these fruit rolls with a simple vanilla glaze? They were my sister’s favorite.”
There was so much emotion crossing Jasyn’s face in that one moment. She was determined to make it work. They could do this small thing to bring Jasyn close to his sister again.
Iskra eyed the recipe, and she had no idea if it was of advanced skill. She knew nothing about the art of cooking and baking. She knew nothing much of the world, she supposed. Being locked in a cage as a dragon didn’t allow her the opportunity to experience much. What little life she had before was secluded.
“There’s an assortment of berries that would be perfect,” she said as she pointed behind them to a basket filled with freshly picked berries.
However, instead of looking at them, Jasyn had his eyes on her. She had leaned over him when she scanned the page, andnow, they both were at eye level. Her breathing hitched as his eyes narrowed down to her mouth. She bit her bottom lip, and a guttural groan escaped him, as if he was forcing himself back, that rope pulled tighter and tighter.
“We should—” She swallowed.
