Chapter 22
JESSAMINE
“There was absolutelynone of your stew left,” Shearah admitted as we cooked breakfast. “And nearly half of mine went untouched.”
“You are lying to make me feel good.”
“No, she’s not,” snapped Gweeda, punching at her biscuit dough in the bowl.
“Truly,” smiled Shearah, “I am not. And I do not take offense. While I know I am good in the kitchen, I would love to learn some of your recipes.”
“I’d be delighted to share,” I told her.
We were both laughing when the flap to the cave opened and in stepped Velga. She looked awful with dark circles rimming her eyes as if she had not slept. She looked a little pale and winced when she saw me. Then with a deep breath, she marched straight to the high counter.
I stepped away so she wouldn’t have to speak to me directly in front of Shearah, though everyone knew how well the beast fae could hear.
“Lady Jessamine,” she started formally. “I want to apologize for tripping you last night.” Her voice quivered but she didn’t cry. “I did mean to embarrass you, and it was wrong.”
“Thank you, Velga,” I said softly. “I accept your apology. Can I ask, why did you want to embarrass me?”
“Because you do not belong.” She held my gaze, a hint of anger or perhaps fear behind her intense stare. “I know that you are our guest through winter, so I was wrong. But you hold the king’s attention too much for an outsider. I mean, a visiting guest.”
I didn’t have to ask to know that Velga likely thought Lord Redvyr should be giving her attention, or any beast fae female other than me. I certainly wasn’t going to tell her that apparently, her gods had chosen me—the outsider—to be her king’s mate.
“I see,” I said sincerely. “Well, why don’t you come and enjoy some breakfast. Gweeda will have biscuits shortly. I have some hot oats and cream with honey while you wait.”
She frowned but said, “Thank you.”
She sat on the bench stiffly near Gweeda, scowling at me. This time, her look didn’t seem menacing or petty, but simply confused. I’m sure she expected venom from me, not kindness. But I was aware that if I was to ever get into the good graces of Redvyr’s clan, it wouldn’t be through force or command.
I spooned her a bowl, Shearah giving me the side eye as I poured extra honey into it. I whispered, “Maybe it will make her sweeter.”
Shearah chuckled, then I gave Velga the bowl.
“Thank you,” she said more nicely this time, diving into it.
Suddenly, Bes, Sorka’s daughter, smiled brightly as she entered and saw me. She ran over, waving something white in her hands.
“Your gloves! I have them.” She met me, panting, and held out the pair of beautifully sewn gloves. There was a delicate row of roses stitched along the hem of each cuff.
“Oh, my,” said Shearah, stopping her slicing of a roasted venison shoulder to peer closer. “Is that elkmine otter?”
“It is,” I told her, taking the gloves. “A trader gave me the fur when I worked in the Borderlands. These are beautiful, Bes. How ever can I thank you?”
“There is no need. Although! Mother says it would be wonderful if I learned to cook like you. Some of those delicious stews. Then I could help Shearah after you’re gone.”
I tucked the gloves into my pocket to wear later, swallowing hard at the realization that no one expected me to stay beyond winter. Was that why they were so accepting of me, an outsider? Because I wasn’t meant to stay? Welcomed only because it was temporary?
“That reminds me,” I turned to Shearah, turning my thoughts to cooking again. “I didn’t see any more delly root that you were cooking last night. Was that the last of your stock?”
“There’s lots more!” exclaimed Bes excitedly. “It grows even up here in Ghasta Vale. We keep a garden all winter.”
“Truly? I cooked with the starchy vegetable when I lived in the Borderlands. An older wraith fae who lived not far from the tavern taught me a delicious recipe. Actually, she was the one who taught me to cook, not Haldek. He was the owner of the tavern where I worked.”
“You were friends with wraith fae?” Velga asked curiously from behind us.
“I was,” I told her proudly. “I made many friends among the dark fae while I lived there.”
