Page 73 of A Broken Promise

“You shall hear from me in six days’ time,” Laviticus said as he bowed in goodbye. Priya didn’t reply as she heatedly stormed off in the cold afternoon.

“Thank you,” I softly said to Laviticus. “And not just for the dress, but for your kindness and honesty.”

Laviticus’s damaged hands cupped mine. The brutal scars and claws were so warm. His dark eye met mine.

“Keep your hope, little child. Great things shall come to those who wait.”

I smiled at him sadly before rushing off to catch up to the quickly departing Priya.

My heart ached at that word.

Hope.

37

The sound of steaming pots and sharp knives chopping fresh veggies filled the otherwise quiet kitchen. Ratika, as usual, was silent. She chopped and peeled and prepped ten things at the same time across the room from me. The smell of roasted chicken and caramelized onions teased my nose.

“Ouch,” I hissed as I knicked a part of my finger and bright red blood seeped through the freshly broken skin. Ratika’s only response was a long pause from chopping to glare at me for disrupting her kitchen’s symphony.

“Sorry! It’s a deep cut,” I justified my gasp, now searching for a piece of cloth to wrap my finger.

The large copper bell that usually signaled deliveries rang loud, echoing from the stone walls.

Ratika huffed as she hung the kitchen towel on the rack, checking on her filled-to-the-brim pots.

“It’s okay, I got it,” I said, holding the rag against my bleeding finger. When Ratika silently questioned my competence for such a task, I motioned to her with my half-wrapped finger. “Let me get the delivery, unless you want blood in your food.” I smirked, knowing that she would sooner murder me before letting me ruin one of hermasterpieces of a dish with blood, and I would totally agree with her on that.

Pushing past a few doors with my back, I finally made it to the servant’s entrance room where most of the deliveries were made. The small shelves and coat hangers were, as usual, empty, the stone-like tile cold and unwelcoming. I jerked the heavy door with one hand, keeping the other bent at the elbow up to keep from bleeding more.

“Hello, Frank.” I smiled at the sturdy delivery man holding two large white boxes in his arms. The freezing winter air kissed my kitchen-heated cheeks. Death day was usually the coldest day of the year, and this year was no exception.

“Hello, miss,” Frank said, his large mustache stretching in a welcoming smile.

“They are making you do deliveries even on the Death Day, Frank?” I asked, taking the boxes.

“This was such a high priority that I couldn’t say no.” He fixed his large, fur-laced hood and rubbed his gloved hands together. “After this though, I am going to spend some time with my family. My wife is making her famous goat stew and my sister is bringing my favorite baked apples. It’s going to be a great feast!” His face lit up with excitement.

“That sounds nice!” I smiled back. “I am just going to some party with Miss Priya today.”

“Well enjoy your holiday Miss Finn, and happy Death Day to you!” Frank replied, walking down the path back to his handcart, now empty of all deliveries.

“Happy Death Day to you too, Frank!” I returned, closing the door fast. Two boxes weighed down my arms, blocking my view as I carried them up the stairs, all the way to Priya's office.

The strong smell of the sweet citrus and spice filled my nose.

“Hiiii Beatrice,” I said, even though I couldn’t see most of the stunning redhead walking down the hall. She smiled, pausing, slowly putting in her golden hoops.

“You need some help with that?” she asked. I smirked; I could swear she made her voice purposely low just for me.

“I am good, thanks,” I replied, still making my way to the office. “How isthe queenherself doing today?”

“Oh, you know, nothing much out of the ordinary. I’d say she is somewhere between eating a cake and murdering someone later.”

“Eating a cake first and onlythenmurder someone? Wow! It must be a good day after all then.” I cackled. Beatrice giggled and followed me for a few steps.

“Must be the holidays, I guess.” She smirked. “You know,” She paused, looking further down the hall to the large double doors leading to Priya’s room. “If you ever need to talk, just come to me. I’ve known her for a while now and I know how obsessive she can get and how it’s hard to constantly navigate those moods and…anyway, if you ever need to vent just send for me, alright sweet cheeks?”

I nodded, letting the unspoken words settle in between us.

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