Page 27 of The Silent Mountain
Stefan looks a little embarrassed, then he looks to the side. “No,” he says. “I couldn’t care less about who or what you are. You help, and that’s all that matters.”
“But?”
“I saw Favian grow up,” he says. “I saw what the witch did to him and Elio, to his family. I know what he battled with and what he lost.”
“And you think I will just be another point on that list?” I ask.
“I don’t think you will be an easy prey to kill,” he says. “I’m not worried about you dying.”
I look at him, my heart clenching slightly when I realize what he is truly talking about. “I… I wish I could tell you I won’t hurt him,” I say. “But I can’t give that promise.”
“Do you like him?” Stefan asks.
“Yes.”
“Do you love him?”
“Love doesn’t come easily to me,” I admit. “But I am on the path to it.”
“That’s not exactly the answer I was hoping for,” he says. “But also, not the answer I feared.”
“I’ve made up my mind and will be staying here,” I say. “As his mate. But I can’t promise you to carry his mark immediately.”
“Alright,” he says with a smile. “Food, you said?”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Yes, I shall inform the kitchen staff.”
“Please,” he says. “But if they are going to overwork themselves, we’ll find another solution.”
“As I said, I can-“
“-help,” he finishes and chuckles. “Don’t let my king hear that. He won’t be happy if I allow that to happen.”
“Let me handle the king,” I say.
Stefan looks amused. “Well, if you say so, I will obviously let you do whatever you want.”
I feel like both of us finally worked through our issue, and it makes my motivation rise instantly. So, I hurry back to the castle to talk with the kitchen staff. The kitchen itself is huge, like our kitchen in the royal pack, but as Stefan said, they are understaffed. They are still happy to help their warriors. For the dragons, any new task is taken as a step forward, and it means a step into their future.
While we are still planning, the door to the kitchen opens, and Maggie comes in. She is walking with her walking stick in her hand, slowly and carefully, her eyes lightening up when she sees the kitchen staff and me. “I heard so much laughter here and needed to see what’s going on.”
“Madame Margarete,” the head of the kitchen staff hurries to bring her a chair. “Please, you-“
“Oh, sweetheart,” Maggie smiles. “There is no need for that much courtesy. I just wanted to mingle with the young folks here.”
“We are preparing food for the warriors who are going to guard the shore,” I explain.
“Then let me help,” she says.
The maids and chefs look at me nervously. “But we can’t possibly,” they mutter. “It’s bad enough that the princess is here, but-”
“Don’t worry,” I reassure them. “Maggie and I for sure will be able to handle the king if he is upset.”
Maggie’s wrinkled face is illuminated by a broad smile. “I have no doubts about that.”
With her and I putting our feet down, the staff have no other choice but to oblige. They are soon starting to chat and giggle again, actually happy about the company and help. We put together a simple menu for the guards, mostly food that can stay fresh for a couple of days. The ice and snow truly benefit us, keeping the food cool.
“They can make a small bonfire,” I say while I cut onions together with Maggie.
