The door closed behind us, muffling the sounds of the busy kitchen. The corridor stretched out ahead, empty and quiet compared to the warmth and activity we’d just left.
Savory soared toward the end of the hall, her wings feathering through the air.
Sasha walked beside me, her posture still straight but slightly more relaxed now that we were alone. I opened my mouth to ask what she’d discovered, what pattern she’d seen in the tea preparation process that I’d missed.
But before I could speak, a giggle emerged from her throat.
Then another.
Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening with shock as uncontrollable laughter began bubbling up from her chest. Her shoulders shook, and she stumbled, reaching out to steady herself against the wall.
My own amusement at seeing her finally affected by whatever curse had been plaguing the rest of us died instantly, replaced by concern.
She’d been fine until she ate those cakes.
Savory circled back and landed on a sconce nearby, tilting her head with what looked like concern as Sasha dissolved into helpless, uncontrollable laughter.
My own chuckles soon followed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
SASHA
“The cakes,” I choked out, unable to stop my snicker from emerging along with the words. “I didn’t have tea.”
Dominic’s low laugh rang out, the sound countered by the seriousness in his eyes. “It’s food. Drink.”
We staggered back outside and almost raced to the bench we’d sat at earlier, Savory circling overhead, watching us.
Settling on the long wooden plank, we leaned back and let our laughter peal out.
Too long later, it slowed and came to a stop.
“That was horrible,” I said, my belly muscles still spasming from laughing.
“Truly,” he said.
A fart rang out from where Savory perched on the back of the bench on Dominic’s other side.
He shifted my way, waving his hand in front of his face.
Leaning close, he lowered his voice. “She should go roost in a tree for a bit, don’t you think?”
I heard that,Savory said.
“Then do it.” I grimaced as the smell wafted around us. “I told you not to eat any cake.”
With a huff, my companion swooped off the bench and landed some distance away in the grass. She started scraping at the grass, dislodging bugs. I hoped they’d aid her digestion.
I took in a deep breath, grateful for the fresh air and the reprieve from uncontrollable laughter.
“So, what did you glean in there?” Dominic said, his voice rough from laughing.
I frowned, replaying the visit in my mind. “Not as much as I’d hoped, honestly. The staff seemed genuine, their processes are sound, and everything appears properly stored and prepared.”
“But?” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, giving me his full attention in a way that made my pulse sing.
“Some of the tea leaves felt different when I touched them.” I struggled to articulate what my magic had sensed. “It wasn’t obvious. The color looked right and the texture seemed normal. But there was something off about them. A subtle wrongness I couldn’t quite identify.” Frustration leaked into my voice. “It was almost imperceptible. Like they’d been contaminated with something, or maybe they’d absorbed magic they shouldn’t have. I need to examine them more carefully.”
