“Will I? Do I?” Words fell out of Deryn’s mouth as if drenched in poison, leaving scorched marks on the oaken boards.
“Is this about a place to bake? Or is this about me not coming to your competitions? Or is this about Mom?” Ceridwen stepped forward, their sleeves touching. Then she lifted a hand and gently ran it through Deryn’s curls. “I rarely leave Dragons. You, and certainly Rhiannon, might think me foolish for remaining here when I could’ve gone anywhere. But the reality is, I never actually could leave. Caring for you and Seren aside, I have a responsibility to the island, the same one Mom had. And I could never leave Dragons without a Crowhart to hold fort. This was never Seren’s burden. Rhiannon never wanted it. And you? You were the one I desperately needed to spread wings and find your place in the world.”
If the sky had opened up and spilled locusts or whatever ungodly monstrosity was forever preached about to scare children in religion classes, Deryn would not have recoiled as violently as she did. Ceridwen’s hand on her shoulder kept her from tumbling headfirst into the lagoon.
“I might have an idea about where you could work, though,” Ceridwen—kind, gentle, all-understanding Ceridwen—said when it became clear that Deryn had no answer to the earlier question or the subsequent monologue.
Deryn blinked and felt the force of whiplash. Ceridwen took a few steps toward the shore and looked back, clearly expecting her to follow.
“I love your kitchen, if you’re offering?”
Ceridwen laughed, an honest, full sound, and Deryn smiled. Just like that, in the blink of an aquamarine eye, Ceridwen brought them back to solid ground.
“I actually cherish my kitchen, Der. Took me years after you and Seren grew up and I moved to decide on those cabinets.”
“I still don’t know why you left Seren the house.” Deryn hunched her shoulders and wondered if the answer was the same reason she couldn’t stay with Seren in their family home anymore.
“I wanted a new start, baby sister.” Ceridwen wove her arm through Deryn’s and took the circuitous way back to the house on the hill with the phthalo green door.
“I was thinking that there is one place you might inquire about the availability of a professional-grade kitchen. And that this place would actually need the celebrity pastry chef’s presence just as much as said celebrity pastry chef needs their counter space.”
“I’m all ears.” Ceridwen’s hand on her forearm was warm and comforting. Deryn regretted her earlier outburst. It really wasn’t Ceridwen’s fault that Deryn felt the way she did.
“You see, up there?” Ceridwen turned to the immense cliffs rising over the island and extended her willowy arm, pointing toward the Viridescent, where the Astronomy Resort rose like a spire, all gleaming stained glass, stone, and dark cherry beams. It broke up the forest and rock skyline of Dragons, so familiar to Deryn, with the force of a supernova. It was a statement; it was a disturbance. It should be an eyesore bracketed by the pine woods and backed by the cliff, and yet it fit perfectly. And itplucked the heartstrings that Deryn had never before allowed to be touched.
She gulped, memories flooding her mind. The taste, the sounds, the vision… The woman.
Ceridwen, seemingly caring very little that Deryn stood there motionless and gaping at the architectural marvel that was the brand-new hotel, went on.
“The grand opening of the Astronomy Resort is soon. I swear theCawmust’ve announced it, but I was too busy to pay attention to that rag. Still, I know the owner means business and is all business herself. I bet the resort, which is all about exclusivity, luxury, and high class, could use a celebrity pastry chef on its premises?—”
“Ceri, I’m not looking for a job. I just wrapped up filming the show, I’m beat, and once the season airs, I’ll be torn to pieces doing advertising, promo, getting new gig offers. I just need space to?—”
“I know. And you don’t have to hit up the resort for a job offer. You need their space. I saw their kitchens. A chef’s dream. Vast, gleaming, high-end. And largely empty these days because the hotel is not yet fully operational. I think they’re doing the soft opening where they have a few people, their regular guests from other places, to test things out. Just go see the owner. I can put in a good word…”
Deryn shook her head.
“Jesus, Ceri, I don’t need a good word. If the owners are as savvy as you say, one call from my agent will sort this out.”
Ceridwen just waved her hand at her.
“Deryn, silly, too worldly for your own good, Deryn. Have you gotten too big for your boots? This is Dragons. We talk to each other here; we’re all neighbors. Go speak to the owner, celebrity sister of mine.”
Deryn nodded, and they walked in silence for a few minutes until Ceridwen finally burst the bubble of safety that Deryn somehow believed she was cloaked in.
“And you needing a kitchen aside, baby sister, something has you particularly forlorn these days, and it’s not just my impending demise.”
Ceridwen grinned, the evening breeze playing with her long, straight hair, and Deryn rolled her eyes.
“Okay, so two things. When Rhiannon chose to stay for your sake despite keeping her damn magic locked up, that was all good and fine and dandy?—”
“It was never dandy, and Rhiannon is all drama and has always been drama. You were never that, Deryn. Comedy, maybe, but not drama. So, what was two?”
Deryn sighed and rolled her eyes again. Ceridwen smacked her on the shoulder.
“Abuse! People of Crow’s Nest! Your less-than-esteemed councilwoman is abusing me in plain sight.”
“I don’t know about all the esteem, Deryn, but she does always tip well for the sandwiches. Care for one? I’m about to close up shop for the day and only have a few left. Today’s batch turned out particularly good, if I say so myself.” From behind them, Greg leaned on his cart. Ceridwen clutched invisible pearls.
