“I wish I could, my love. But the day soon dawns and there are trees to fell,” Vor replied. He walked to the fire and tossed on another log, his muscled back facing Snow. “I’ll warm the room before I go.”
Snow pulled the blankets tighter, hating that Vor was forced to leave their bed. It wasn’t right, nor fair, that he’d lay abed all morning while Vor labored.
“Can I help in some way?” Snow asked, sitting up.
“Stay warm here in the cottage,” Vor said, his tanned back to Snow. “There’s plenty of ale. We don’t have many, but there are a few books in the main hall bookcase if you wish for a diversion. I wish I could offer you more than that.”
“It’s more than enough to have food, a roof, and a warm bed, Vor.”
Snow crawled from the bed and stood beside Vor, shivering. “What else can you tell me of the wizard?”
“There’s little more to tell, but even so, there’s no time now,” Vor said. He collected a heavy blanket from the bed and draped it over Snow’s shoulder like a robe. “We can answer some of your questions tonight,hmm?”
Snow nodded.
“I’m going to get something to eat to break my fast. You’re welcome to come out or crawl back into bed if you choose. We used you well last night—which in all honesty wasn’t fair. After you’d been chased out of your home, you deserved rest, not hard use. Promise me you’ll rest today.”
“As if I didn’t want to be used?” Snow cuddled close to Vor. “In all honesty, being well-fucked kept my mind from lingering on all that happened. I fear I’ll lounge about here and grow maudlin. I don’t want that.”
Vor caressed his face. “Sleep would prevent maudlin thoughts.”
“I don’t know if I could sleep in a cold bed.”
“I’d stay all day if I could.” Vor sighed. “Why don’t you let me tuck you in and get you warm again?”
“Later,” Snow replied. “I don’t want to miss a minute of time with you before you leave.”
Vor smiled before stealing a kiss. They left Vor’s bedroom arm in arm. Out in the main hall, Owan was spooning an oat porridge he’d started the previous night into bowls. Snow gladly took one, hoping it was better than the fermented fish stew of the previous night. It definitely smelled infinitely better. He sat amongst the alphas, finding joy in their morning grumps and early sleepy smiles.
“You seem to have a never-ending supply of oats here,” Snow said before spooning some of the warmed oat porridge between his lips. He moaned, the cinnamon a delightful surprise addition. Cinnamon was always well stocked in the castle, but he’d not expected them to have it in their cottage. It was expensive and typically reserved for the highborn alone. “Luckily someone knows how to use them well. This isdelicious,Owan.”
Before Owan could reply, Shen interrupted them.
“If you like this, you’ll love myyavagu,”Shen said, appearing a bit envious of the praise Owan had received.
“Thank you,”Owan said to Snow, interrupting Shen.
Shen wasn’t done outmatching Owan. “Yavagu is much like your porridge but made with rice instead. Or mykhichri.You would probably love that, Snow White.”
“You have cinnamonandrice here? Your larder must be as well stocked as the castle’s,” Snow said.
Owan snickered. “We have an enchanted root cellar.”
“What does that mean?” Snow asked, wide-eyed.
“Any food or ingredient that’s placed in there—reappears the morning after it’s taken,” Owan replied. “The basics were there when Vor arrived. Flour, milk, salt, and the like. Over the years we’ve added other things like butter, cheese, smoked fish, rabbit, and such. Whatever we can manage to make or hunt.”
“Thankfully, Shen and I traveled with our own provisions like rice, dried lentils, ghee, spices, and herbs from our homelands. We added those to the root cellar, as well, so we now have an unending supply,” Hwa added. “Thankfully. These men of the westdo notseason their food well.”
“We season our food,” Greer argued.
“And what do you use?” Shen asked Greer. Greer opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Shen added, “Besides salt?”
Greer grumbled, “Saltisseasoning.”
“One ofthousands,”Hwa stated, giving Greer a haughty look.
“Onions and leeks are fresh and not dried powders that are too hot for the tongue to enjoy,” Greer reasoned.
