Dominic and I shared a smile and walked into the kitchen.
CHAPTER SEVEN
DOMINIC
Iurged Sasha to enter the kitchen ahead of me, gently closing the door behind us.
Heat radiated from the big ovens built into the stone walls. The scent of fresh bread mingled with herbs hanging in bundles from the ceiling beams, creating an atmosphere that felt both cozy and tense.
Loaves of bread were being kneaded on a long wooden counter—by no one, though a cook supervised the process. Fae magic at its best.
Pots stirred themselves over the stoves, wooden spoons shifting through sauces while staff tossed in spices or added other ingredients. Flour sifted itself through floating sieves, and eggs cracked themselves into bowls at the direction of staff. A tea kettle hummed, steam rising from its spout in the shape of tiny dancing figures.
Lady Lydia Featherby stood near the herb pantry, carefully examining bundles of dried plants hanging from the ceiling beams. She wore a white apron with tiny flowers over her purple gown, plus a lace cap over her braids.
“Oh, this feverfew is getting quite old,” she said, gentlytouching the stems full of leaves. “And we’re running terribly low on frostmire. I simply must speak with the gardeners tomorrow about increasing the plantings.” She selected several sprigs of herbs, perhaps planning to prepare one of her healing remedies.
“That should do,” she said with a pert nod, turning and striding across the kitchen, giving us a sweet smile as she passed. The kitchen door closed behind her.
Sasha stood beside me, taking in the staff bustling around us, her posture as straight as a blade. A strand of dark hair had escaped her tight braid, curling against her cheek. I wanted to tuck it back for her.
She gave me a nod and whispered. “I’m ready.”
“If I could speak for a moment,” I announced to the room in general.
Silence descended and the staff stopped whatever they were doing, turning our way.
“Ah, Your Majesties. I’m sorry I didn’t note you’d arrived.” Alaina, the head chef, came over to greet us. “So lovely to have you stop in. Would you like tea brought to your room? Perhaps some of the cakes we’ve just finished decorating?” Her hand swept to a platter of bite size cakes with intricate frosting decorations. “Or something heartier, perhaps? We’d be happy to fix you a platter of both sweet and savory morsels to go with your tea.”
“Actually, we have some questions,” Sasha said.
“Allow me to formally introduce my new bride and your queen, Sasha Moonwhisper Thornwick Featherdorn.”
Curtsies and bows erupted from the staff.
“Sasha, this is Alaina, our head chef, and…” I named off the rest of the staff.
“What sort of questions do you have?” Alaina lookedbetween us, her expression pleasant. “Would you like to know our recipe for a particular dish or…?”
“Actually, I’d love to talk about your tea preparation process,” Sasha said.
“Ah, yes, well.” Alaina smoothed her flour-covered hands across her apron. “We buy only the best tea leaves, dried under the full moon. That brings out the best flavor, don’t you think?”
“Most definitely.” Sasha moved farther into the room, looking around. “While tea often upsets my stomach, which is why I requested primwort with cream with my breakfast, knowing that your leaves undergo such an amazing process makes me want to try some anyway. I still have more questions, but I’d love to have some tea sent to our suite after we leave.” She peered at the island dominating the center of the room. “And some of those gorgeous cakes. Did you make them yourself?”
Alaina’s cheeks brightened and her smile, which had initially been stilted, softened. “Not completely.” She swept her hand toward the staff still watching us intently while pots bubbled on the stove and vegetables and fruits lying on the counter went uncut. “My amazing staff helped prepare and cook them, though I’ll take credit for the decorating. I do that myself. I’ve always felt a good chef puts that finishing touch on a treat herself rather than delegating it to others. If I keep my fingers in the mix, the batch always comes out better.”
“I completely agree,” Sasha said, moving closer to the platter of cakes. “Can I try one?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Alaina shot me a pleased look.
I watched Sasha in action, marveling at how she didn’tjust spit out questions but has gone out of her way to make friends with the staff first.
One of the men hurried to collect a small plate from the cupboard, laying it on the counter in front of Sasha with a grand flourish. He backed away, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I mixed up this batch myself,” he said.
Sasha nodded in a solemn way. “I cannot wait to taste it.”
