Page 114 of Frost and Death
The Food Tray
Given my tardiness, I hurry for the kitchens to say hello to Ophelia and Cordelia in hopes of taking my breakfast on the go and even bringing some to Jerrick. I cannot recall him eating any time since we started meeting in the library, and I pray to Alora he will not reprimand me for being late.
Perhaps he’ll also take the food tray as a peace offering.
Even though it crushed my mood to see Niko angry and jealous, I still stand behind my reasoning for believing Jerrick. And deep down, I pray I can save my kingdom, heal, and find my happy again with my husband by my side.
I hold on to that wish, pushing through the corridor of the kitchen, smiling when I catch not only Ophelia and Cordelia, but Dorit as well.
They work and converse in comfort, stopping short when they see me.
“Tove!” Cordelia beams, drying off her hands with a towel and rushing to embrace me.
Ophelia and Dorit carefully put down the dishes before they, too, hurry to me.
Ophelia’s arms wrap around me as Cordelia still holds me. Appreciation for hearing and seeing their visible joy at my presence warms my chest, feeling as if they truly see me as a person.
Stuck in their embrace, I eye Dorit, signaling for help, but she braces her hands on her hips, shaking her head with amusement.
“You’re running late,” Dorit states as the two women break apart from hugging me.
“I know, I know. I should have taken you up on waking me.”
The pit in my stomach deepens from my deception.
My time with these women might be enjoyable, but I don’t belong here. I belong in Axidoria with Niko.
My intentions for not having Dorit wake me this morning were pure, though. I wanted to let her have some time for herself. Her assistance and company are one of the few things I value in Palaena.
She, Ophelia, and Cordelia have been my support during my dark days here. I can only thank Dorit for introducing me to the two women that one crisp morning where we all visited late into the afternoon.
“Have you eaten yet?” Ophelia asks.
I shake my head. “I was hoping I could have a food tray made so I may take it to the library for myself and the king.”
Cordelia’s green eyes twinkle with mischief. “A picnic for you and the king? How romantic!” She clasps her chest, twirling in a circle.
I level my gaze on Cordelia. “It isnothinglike that.”
Dorit wiggles her brows, the three of them snickering. I sigh.
The three women love to tease, and I often find myself joking alongside them. Clearly, today, I am the brunt of their antics.
I roll off the taunt, my tardiness the bigger concern.
Ophelia presses her lips to stifle another laugh as she grabs a tray. Cordelia gathers breads, cheese, dried meats, and a bottle of wine.
I smile when they extend it to me, along with their wishes of luck.
But Dorit stops me before I can go, adding a few sugared solstice pastries to the dish. Her observance of my love for sweet treats leaves me beaming.
“Thank you.”
As I approach the library, my pulse quickens, and my heart hammers in my chest. It is a feeling I have experienced more recently on my way to Jerrick. The time spent in his company reminds me of the man I met in Axidoria, where talking with him felt refreshing.
But being late today might crush even that small blessing.
I square my shoulders and turn, bracing my back against the doors to push and let myself in. When I face the room, Jerrick is reclining in his chair, nose deep in a text.
