Page 23 of Royal Bite
“The kitchen? But we had the table made up so beautiful for you.” Cici’s face fell. She walked over to the table. “Is it not to your liking? I can have the servant fix it—”
“No, it’s gorgeous. It’s just that I would feel lonely being in here all by myself,” Stormey tried to explain. She’d prefer to watch the bustle of the kitchen. She had learned that even though the vampires didn’t require food to live, the kitchen fed all of the humans who worked at the castle. They served meals where the humans could come and grab food. Their dining hall was located in another part of the castle that she had yet to see.
“Okay, well, if you are certain. Come.” Cici waved her on to follow her.
Stormey smiled, feeling slightly excited. They exited through the swinging door on the opposite side of the room that led to kitchen. They had to walk through a short hall before they entered the room where all of the salivating scents were coming from.
“Val, I have a guest for you.”
Val, a big, burly Italian chef, was piling something into the stove. He shut the door and spun around.
“Ah, Miss Jaymes. Good evening,” he greeted her with a warm smile. His words were slightly accented with a hint of his homeland. His dark hair was pushed back away from his face, and his skin was a dark-olive complexion that was highlighted by his white chef’s jacket. He waved a finger at her. “I have something special for you this evening.”
“I can’t wait. I hope you don’t mind if I take my meal here at the island.” She moved over to the chairs and hopped up onto one.
“Not at all, as long as you don’t mind the bustle of the kitchen.”
The kitchen was a professional chef’s dream. It was big enough to be able to feed the hundreds of humans the castle employed. The staff could easily cater large dinner parties with ease.
“Yes, I don’t mind watching. I’d love to see what all you cook and be able to speak with some of the castle’s employees.” Stormey turned to Cici and Desmond. She was interested in getting to know the human staff. If she were to be a lady of the castle as the mate to Hegna, she wanted to begin by getting to know everyone and allowing them to know her. She wanted to be open. She was no stranger to tense relations between humans and vampires. Black Hollows was no different than Wichita, she was sure.
“I’d have to clear that with my superior,” Desmond said.
“Clear what with your superior?” a new voice asked.
Stormey swiveled her head around to the newcomer. No introductions were needed. Stormey knew who the woman was immediately.
Bijou Goldis, Hegna’s second-in-command. She was in charge of the warden’s armies and was a legendary warrior in the vampire community. When Stormey had researched Hegna, Bijou’s name constantly came up.
Stormey slid to her feet, not knowing if she was to bow or what. So she did what was a human greeting. Held her hand out to the general.
“General Bijou Goldis. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Stormey Jaymes,” she said. She offered a wide smile.
Bijou’s eyebrows arched in surprise. The woman was dressed in fighting leathers, her body adorned with knives. Her dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. She was the epitome of a badass warrior. No way would Stormey want to be on her bad side.
“Well, it would appear introductions truly aren’t needed.” Bijou’s lips cracked a slight smile. She took Stormey’s hand in a brief, strong shake before pulling away. “My lady, please forgive me for not seeking you out before and welcoming you to Black Hollows castle.”
“Oh, I’m sure my arrival was as unexpected as my departure from home was.” Stormey took her seat but turned it around so she could continue her conversation. She understood the nature of the matching rules. Humans were swept away from their homes immediately and literally dropped into the laps of their vampires to keep them from having time to run away.
“It would appear our future princess has done much research on vampires,” Cici announced. “She knows much about our kind.”
“Is that so?” Bijou appeared impressed. She came to stand by Stormey, jerking her head to Val. “I’ll take a goblet, please. I’ll dine with Miss Jaymes.”
“Coming right up,” Val said.
“You are not troubled by being matched with a vampire?” Bijou asked.
The woman apparently was very direct, but Stormey didn’t mind. There were those humans who were like Stormey in wanting to match with a vampire. Not many, but they still existed. Her dark gaze studied Stormey.
Trying to not fidget underneath her gaze, Stormey reached for the wine glass Val had set out for her. She didn’t know when a dinner place setting had arrived on the counter where she sat. She took a sip of the red wine and held back a groan. Val was well worth whatever Hegna paid him in salary.
“Actually, no. I’ve always had a curious nature. It led to me love researching and reading. I wanted to know who this new race was that we were living beside and try to understand them.”
“And do you? Understand vampires?”
“Not at all. Just like humans, vampires are complex,” Stormey admitted.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Bijou murmured.
