Page 94 of Frost Bound

“—my lady,” the girl tacked on.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Zadi. Do you normally work in the evenings?”

The giantess tucked a lavender braid behind her ear. “Mostly. I have school during the day.”

“Really? What is your favorite subject?” Lia asked, taking another bite.

“I like to draw and to read.”

“I love reading as well. That’s something we share in common. What kind of books do you like to read?”

That opened Zadi right up. She spoke about all the books she liked while cleaning. Others chimed in as they went about their chores. By the time Lia had finished her second bowl of stew, the anxious energy in the room had disappeared altogether.

She sopped up the broth with her last piece of bread and moaned when she popped it into her mouth. It was delicious.

“Would you like tea and something sweet to end your evening?” the cook asked, excitement on his face.

“As you would have it, I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Tell me, master cook, just what you have in store for us.”

“I’ve been working on something new. I don’t like wasting food,” he said. “So I’ve been experimenting with ways to use vegetables in cake.”

“Truly?” She grinned at him. “It would be a marvelous invention to get children to eat their vegetables to be sure.”

He hustled away from the butcher block and disappeared into the larder. He returned with a little bounce to his step and set two mini cakes on the table. They looked like ordinary spice cakes with swirling creamy frosting on top.

He handed both her and Loshika a fork. “Enjoy.”

Lia stared at the cake. Even though it was a mini cake, it was still enough for at least four people. She glanced up at the cook and wiggled her brow. “I think you overestimate the size of my stomach. I couldn’t eat all of this if I tried. Would you and your good people join us?”

The cook blinked repeatedly at her like he didn’t understand her words. “You wish for us to eat with you,reilleve?”

“I wish to share cake amongst friends and compatriots of this palace. Would you do me the honor?”

The cook bowed low. “It would be our honor.”

The kitchen turned into a flurry of movement as everyone got seated at the table. She scooped a morsel of cake onto her spoon and then pushed the cake to Zadi. Once everyone got a bit on their forks, she wiggled her brows. “Shall we all try it on the count of three?”

The cook translated for her, and smiles blossomed on everyone’s faces.

“One, two, three!”

Dahlia shoved the cake into her mouth and her eyes rolled back into her head. The cake was spicy and moist, with a hint of texture from the nuts. The sweet yet tangy frosting coated her palate. Lia wiggled her fork at the cook.

“You, sir, are a genius.”

He beamed from ear to ear, crooked teeth displayed. “You like it,sei?”

“I do. Well done.”

Lo nudge Lia’s shoulder with elbow. “I think you just made thatvallos’ dreams come true.”

Lia went in for another scoop as the kitchen staff continued to snack too. A fork war broke out between Zadi and the younger boy named Xides. The cook broke it up with a sharp word and a waved hand.

Leaning her chin in her hand, she soaked it all in. There was something so comforting to see the familiar in the unfamiliar. She’d traveled extensively with the troupe and her brother. It was a lesson she’d learned. No matter where you were, you could always find a bit of home if you searched.

The door swished open behind her and all color drained from the cook’s face. The servants scrambled to their feet. Dahlia didn’t even have to turn around to know who was there.

The king.

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