Page 162 of The Call of Crimson
He glances at me, puzzled. “Why?”
“Because it feels like forgetting them.”
“Our ghosts don’t want us living in the past, Breyla. Finding peace doesn’t mean you love or miss them any less. It just means the grief learns to live beside everything else.”
“That sounds exhausting,” I joke, but it lands flat.
“It can be.”
“What’s your moment of joy today?” I ask, needing something lighter.
He smirks. “When I pinned you in the training ring. The sight of such a fierce female submitting is quite beautiful.
“Typical male,” I say with a half-hearted eye roll.
“What about yours?”
I don’t even need to think. “This. This moment and view right here.”
“I told you it would be worth it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
BREYLA
Something aches deep within me.
The last time I saw Aurelius was three weeks ago. True to his word, Ayden kept him busy and out of Elentia. The distance between us sets me on edge in the most uncomfortable way.
Today, I’m attempting to fill the void with sweets.
Technically, Rowina and I are baking them for the people of the capital, but with so many cookies already made, a few won’t be missed.
Rowina turns her back to put a tray of ginger snap cookies in the oven, and I stuff another sugar cookie into my mouth. I don’t care what anyone says. These are better than chocolate chip.
With her back still to me, she says, “Your joy spikes every time you shove another cookie into your mouth.”
“Consider it my moment of joy today.” I shrug, crumbs spewing from the half-eaten cookie as I speak.
Since our moment on the roof, Ayden and I had made it a point to share our moment of joy with each other every day. Noone else needed to know what we were talking about, because we understood. And that’s all that matters.
“Well, you’ve hadeightmoments of joy today, so you should be set for the next week.” Rowina laughs, the sound full and free. “At this rate, there isn’t going to be any left for the townspeople.”
I’d learned from Ayden that baking sweets for the entire castle and surrounding village was a Mordet family tradition in the months leading up to the Winter Solstice. Generations of Mordets participate. It takes months, given how many people live here.
Today, we’re starting with the farthest part of the town and working our way inward. Every week, we’ll take a batch leading up to the eve of the solstice. On Solstice Eve, we’ll share the last round with the castle staff before letting them enjoy the night off with their loved ones.
“There are dozens of cookies here.”
She slaps a fresh bowl down in front of me. “And you’re about to actually help me make three more to replace the ones you’ve stolen.”
“What do you mean? I’ve been helping this whole time.”
“No, you’ve rolled dough balls and eaten almost a dozen cookies by yourself. I’ve done the rest.”
I sweeten my voice, hoping to win her over with flattery. “You’re better at it.”
“Nice try.” Rowina arches a dark brow at me. “I’m just more practiced. Would you prefer chocolate chip or almond?”
