Or was it? I felt as if I was slowly assembling a puzzle, and the vital pieces remained missing. Would I find a few of them inside that book?
I visited a bit longer but when she started yawning, I left, promising to return to the library again after the coronation.
After lunch in my room, I dressed in one of my finest gowns. We’d soon leave for the throne room where the ceremony to bestow high lady status on Moira, Calista, and Faelith would take place. Faelith had given Farris a bath and brushed him until his fur crackled. She’d placed the jeweled collar Merrick gave him around his throat.
“My queen,” she said, her gaze directed to the polished marble floor of my sitting area. “I have an announcement.” Hereyes flashed to mine before darting away, and she blushed. “I have accepted Surren’s proposal of marriage.”
“Surren?” Why wasn’t I surprised? “Congratulations!” I gave her a quick hug.
As we left the room, she whispered a short explanation. She and Surren hadn’t been allowed to marry as long as she was considered “lesser,” but now, they could.
One more rule I was going to get rid of as soon as possible.
When we reached the first level, I gripped Farris's leash tighter and veered off our path. “A quick stop first,” I told the others, heading down the long hallway leading to the kitchen.
The delicious smell of roasting meats and baking bread overwhelmed me as we entered, making my belly rumble. Organized chaos reigned, with staff bustling around in a well-choreographed dance. A young woman with flour-streaked cheeks kneaded dough at one station, her arm muscles bulging with each push she made against the large lump of dough. A lanky man stirred something bubbling in an enormous pot on the stove, his face flushed from the steam.
The head chef looked up from the enormous wooden-topped island where he was arranging delicate pastries on a large platter. His eyes widened when he saw me, though he quickly smoothed his expression.
“My queen.” He came around the island to join us, dipping forward in a slight bow. “How may I assist you?”
“I wanted to thank you and your staff for all your hard work,” I said. “I know preparing for tomorrow night’s events is a huge undertaking.”
A few of the kitchen staff nodded before returning to their tasks while others shot me odd looks.
The chef's chest puffed, and he gave me the start of a real smile.
“We are honored to serve, my queen,” he said with a sweep outward of his arm and a grander dip of his head. “Is there anything you require? As you can see, we're quite busy.” His eyes darted to the door, and from the sharp flash of his eyes, he wanted me to leave as quickly as I'd arrived.
“In addition to my thanks, I wanted to offer you my recipe for horig cakes.”
“With all due respect, my queen, I have my own recipe for horig cakes. I'm sure yours are . . . delicious, but—” Drawing himself up, he stared down his nose at me. “Mine areexquisite. Many of the court have told me they're the best they’ve ever tasted.”
“Ah, then, I understand. My recipe uses a secret ingredient, but if you’re confident in your own recipe . . .” I started to turn.
His breath punched inward. “Secret ingredient, you say?”
“I don’t wish to intrude any further. You’re busy, and I hate keeping you from your duties.”
“No!” He lowered his voice when everyone paused in what they were doing and glanced our way. “No.” His words rushed out of him. “I . . . Naturally, as a chef, I'm always interested in discovering new recipes.”
Especially those with secret ingredients? The excitement in his eyes licked through him, making his hands tremble at his sides.
I curled my finger to bring his head down closer and whispered the ingredient to him.
“Oh my,” he gasped, reeling backward. “Are you sure?”
“Just a pinch.” I used my thumb and forefinger to show him. “Too much will make them bitter, but a tiny bit . . . It makes them taste fantastic. I’m sure everyone in court will agree.”
“I never would’ve considered something like that,” he gushed. “But I can see where this might enhance the natural horig flavor and add a touch of uniqueness to the treats.”
I guided him through each step, and watched his expression shift from skepticism to intrigue because my secret ingredient wasn't the only way I deviated from the usual horig cake recipe. By the time I’d finished, his face was florid, and his eyes twinkled.
“Brilliant.” He clapped his hands, making a few of the staff jump and Farris shift closer to my side. “Absolutely brilliant. My queen, I've never heard of such a thing, but it's truly inspired.”
“I love to cook.” I gazed longingly around the kitchen, knowing the odds of the staff welcoming me in their midst was slim.
“Perhaps, when I make the recipe for the first time, you'd like to be present?” His gaze had softened, and it was nice that he wasn't trying to shove me through the door any longer.
