Riveting stuff.
My mind had wandered more times than I wanted to admit. While Lord Ferrick droned on about bridge maintenance costs, I’d been thinking about the way Sasha had moaned while eating the cakes. When Lady Beauchamp questioned the budget allocation for festival preparations, I’d been remembering how Sasha’s eyes had lit up while she was talking about her plant magic.
At least the giggling hadn’t disrupted this particular meeting. Whatever distance or time had done, I’d been able to sit through hours of administrative discussion without a single involuntary chuckle. Small mercies.
Now, though, anticipation thrummed through me witheach step toward the manor house. Dinner. Our first real meal together that wasn’t interrupted by court chaos or mysterious laughter. A chance to get to know the real Sasha behind the strategic witch and problem-solver.
I wanted this more than I should probably admit, even to myself.
A servant passed me in the hall, giving me a deep bow. “Your Majesty.”
“Evening.” I nodded as I continued past.
The truth was, I’d been looking forward to this dinner since the moment we’d parted in the garden. Watching Sasha’s analytical mind pick apart the mystery of the giggling had been unexpectedly wonderful. But part of me worried that once we solved these problems, she’d realize I was just a king managing daily court life. No crises to solve together, no mysteries requiring her brilliant strategic mind.
Just me. Would that be enough?
I pushed through the door that led from the castle into the manor house, my thoughts still churning. The covered walkway stretched ahead, lined with more drooping plants that I made a mental note to check on later. Right now, I had more immediate concerns.
Ahead, warm light spilled from kitchen doorway along with the scent of roasting meat and fresh herbs.
I stepped inside to find everyone bustling around. Alaina stood at the central island, directing three staff members as they magically chopped vegetables. Tomis stirred something fragrant in a large pot on the stove while Nan pulled bread from one of the ovens, the crust golden and steaming.
“Your Majesty.” Alaina looked up, surprise crossing her features before settling into a welcoming smile. “Weweren’t expecting you again so soon. Is something wrong with your dinner preparations? I was planning to send everything up to your suite in about an hour.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I said, moving deeper into the kitchen. The heat from the ovens wrapped around me, comforting and familiar. I’d spent plenty of time in here over the years, much to my mother’s initial dismay. “Actually, I wanted to discuss tonight’s meal. I was hoping we could make it something special.”
Alaina’s eyes brightened. “Special how?”
I glanced around at the other staff, all of whom had paused in their work to listen. Tomis grinned at me over his pot while Nan set down her bread paddle, clearly intrigued.
“It’s my first proper dinner with my new wife,” I said, letting a bit of sheepishness into my tone. “No court obligations, no interruptions. Just the two of us getting to know each other. I’d like it to be memorable.”
“Oh, how romantic,” Nan sighed, pressing a hand to her chest.
“The king wants to impress his bride,” Tomis said with a knowing nod. “We can certainly help with that, Your Majesty.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” I moved to the shelves where various ingredients were stored, running my fingers along the labels. “I’d like to use some specific items for tonight. Things from my private stores, maybe some vegetables from the sections of the garden I tend to personally.”
Alaina joined me, her expression turning thoughtful. “That’s doable, of course. What were you thinking? Any particular type of dish?”
“Something elegant but not too formal. I don’t want her to feel like this is another court function.” I selected a tin ofherbs I’d dried myself, opening it to release the sharp scent of rosemary and thyme. “Maybe roasted quail with spring vegetables? And that sauce you make with the white wine and mushrooms?”
“An excellent choice,” Alaina said. “We could do a light soup to start, perhaps the butternut with sage? And for dessert, cake with fresh berries?”
“Perfect.” I picked up a basket, beginning to gather ingredients.
Some actually felt…tainted. That wasn’t quite the right word, but more a feeling. I didn’t possess Sasha’s touch with plants, but when I truly focused, I could feel…something.
Someone was tampering with our food. I could see that now.
Who and why?
The vegetables felt alright, and the herbs responded to my touch with a faint warmth that meant they were still properly connected to their magical essence. Perhaps that was my skill, identifying their lack of connection to my court, a subtle parallel to what Sasha could do.
“Your Majesty,” Tomis called from the stove where he used magic to stir the soup. “Should we use the aged wine from the cellar, the one from three harvests ago?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” I continued selecting ingredients, aware of Alaina watching me with curiosity. She was sharp. She’d notice I was being unusually particular about what went into this meal.
