Page 65 of The Princes of Stone and Steel

From another one of the cupboards, I pulled down a teapot and dropped the dried herbs in the bottom. Then grabbing a kitchen towel that had not been lying on the counter when I walked in, I used it as a hot pad to pick up the kettle of boiling water by the exceptionally hot handle and poured it over the tea ingredients. After setting the kettle down, I put the lid on the teapot and draped the towel over it to help the tea steep inside.

I stepped back inside the pantry to look for honey to sweeten the brew for Kori. I felt as if they’d starved her and she needed to get her strength back up. I searched every shelf again. And yet again, it only led to disappointment because apparently whoever stocked the pantry didn’t believe in using honey as a sweetener. Oh, they had obscurities, such as something labeled Northern Boudican Agate Powder, but no honey. Seriously?

Well, I could only hope the sugar from the bearberries would be enough. I left the pantry and—what?And if I’d still been in my world, I would’ve sworn I was on one of those television prank shows, but in Roshambo there was only one explanation—magic. And in case anyone wanted to know, I loved magic. The large wooden bowl sat on the stainless-steel island in the center of the kitchen, and in that large bowl, ofhoneycomb. It was literally filled with it.

Not only that, but a tray with three mugs, three spoons, and a smaller bowl with dripping honeycomb, along with the teapot, sat next to the large wooden bowl completely ready to go.

I picked up the tray and carried it back into the den with Steele and Korrigan.

She looked drowsy but still awake.

“Drink this for me, okay?” I asked, handing her a mug.

Although she still didn’t speak, she at least accepted the mug and took a sip, holding it under her nose to breathe in the steam and scent.

I handed a mug to Steele as well.

“She needs to eat,” I said, “but it’s going to take time to figure out something soothing she can keep down.”

“The tea is”—he took a big drink—“hot.Hot.” His eyes watered as he fanned at his mouth and I threw my head back and laughed. I even heard a breathy hiss from Kori, as if she laughed through her nose.

“I’m glad my pain amuses you.”

“I’m glad you’re glad,” I responded and laughed harder. “Because it does.”

He raised a challenging eyebrow at me, the kind that said I really needed to shut my mouth. Though he smirked right after, so I wasn’t worried.

“I’m going to see what I can mess up for dinner,” I said.

It was his turn to laugh at my departing back. Okay, I’d been a pretty decent cook back in the day, preparing meals alongside my mother and sister. I could do this. I could figure out something for us to eat. I made roast and Yorkshire puddings for Tom and Steele because I was the freaking flesh. Hells to the yeah.

When I stepped back inside the kitchen, I was hit with the most glorious aroma. Carrots, celery, mushrooms and parsnips sliced on a cutting board. A big pot of red, tomato-based looking liquid bubbled on the stove. Suddenly, the cutting board lifted and moved to the pot, tipping the freshly-cut vegetables in. It was like I found myself in the middle of Disney’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

A rolling pin rolled out dough. I couldn’t even make a sound watching a round cutter lift in the air and come down to create perfectly-round biscuits. When the biscuits lifted then lowered onto a flat aluminum sheet pan it reminded me of an illusionist who came to our school earlier this year. Since the school rarely brought in entertainment, and Cynthia didn’t let us have television, it was a treat to see him perform.

Except I turned and caught the light in such a way that I realized I wasn’t alone in the kitchen. Little sprites and fairies and dryads, depending on which clan lands they’d come from, filled the room. Something in me instinctively knew which ones lived among the Vráchos, the Forfex and the Papyrus. Here, they were working side by side.

Once I saw them, I saw them everywhere in the castle. Sensors didn’t flick on the lights and the fires didn’t combust into being.

Eventually, they got Kori to eat broth while Steele and I stuffed our faces on vegetable soup and buttered biscuits.

I had to point out the fae to Steele so he wouldn’t freak out. Through my flesh abilities, I was able to speak freely with our helpers. They insisted on cleaning up and led us up the stairs to our rooms.

Steele carried Kori up to a lush bedroom decorated in all shades of pink, flowers and chintz. I helped her change into a satin nightgown and then tucked her under the large square quilt made up of satin and chintz squares and soft satin sheets, with big fluffy pillows to lay her head on.

“We will stay with her,” one of the fae said in a voice so high, it squeaked. “You must rest now, Millicent Merchant.”

Rest—as if. Didn’t they realize we were going to war in the morning? That the literal fate of the world fell on my shoulders? I didn’t need to rest. I needed a distraction.

That was when I felt fingers wrap around two of mine to pull me closer to Steele, who’d snuck up behind me. Hello distraction.

“Let’s go to bed,” he said. And he led me down the hall to an even more stately room. Blue and white, gold and green. Aqua and teal. Colors representing the sky, the land and the sea. Representing the outliers themselves. Instead of being a stop along the way, I got the feeling I’d find my way back here again.

The fae had lain out a blue satin nightgown for me and teal sleep pants for Steele. I walked into the closet to change, tossing the tunic dress into a vine hamper on the floor. When I opened the door, Steele lay on top of the comforter in the sleep pants, bare-chested, his feet crossed at the ankles. His hands propped his head up on the pillow.

I’d never seen a more beautiful sight in my life.

“Come here.” His smooth voice glided across my skin, causing numerous little heart flutters.

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