Page 13 of Dragons & Dumplings
Well, there was one person in Willowmere who might answer my questions. But if my fleet ever found out I was working with a fire drake… I shuddered.
I’d better make sure they never found out.
Chapter six
Soups & Secrets
Mei
“Nothanks.Iwon’tlike it.”
“How will you know until you try it?” Great, now I sounded just like my mom.
“Because I can practicallyfeelthe spice oozing out of it.” Yuri eyed the soup like it was going to jump up and bite him.
I slid into the booth across from him. “Which is why, instead of adding pepper, I added watermint.”
“Watermint? You? Really?” He sniffed, unconvinced. “What about that famous fire drake pride?”
I crossed my arms. “I’ll have you know I had to sneak it in there when the fire sylph wasn’t looking.”
“You braved her wrath just for little old me?” There was a teasing edge to his voice that made me smile.
“Just for little old you.” I lowered my voice and leaned closer, Yuri mirroring my actions. “Tell anyone, and I’ll deny it.”
“Duly noted.” He chuckled, his slitted pupils widening. “I suppose it would be rude to not even try it after you went to all that trouble.”
Yuri dipped his spoon into the creamy soup, but to his credit, he only hesitated for a moment before he took a tentative sip. His guarded expression gave way to one of pleasant surprise.
“Hey, that’s actually pretty good.”
“No need to sound so surprised,” I huffed. “Of course it’s good.”
“I mean, it’s rich and creamy, without being hot and spicy like I expected.” He ate another spoonful.
“Why do you think fire drakes like spicy food so much?” I decided to change tactics.
Yuri paused, scrunching his brows. “I don’t actually know. Because spice mimics the heat of fire?”
“Not quite,” I said with a laugh. “Most dragons have scales on the insides of their mouths to protect them from their own breath weapons, right?”
Yuri nodded. “It’s the same for ice dragons.”
“Well, even though we have those scales too, our tongues don’t have the same level of protection as other dragons’.” I stared at him, waiting for him to put the pieces together.
“Which means…” Yuri’s eyes darted to mine as his expression went slack with dawning horror. “Don’t tell me you can’t…?”
I nodded solemnly. “By the time hatchlings have learned to control their flamebreath, they’ll have already lost most of their taste buds. So the only real way for us to experience flavor is to pack on the spice.”
“I had no idea,” Yuri murmured, looking chagrined. “So, if you had this soup, you wouldn’t be able to taste it?”
“Not really, no.” I shook my head sadly.
“But then why would your family start a diner, of all things, if none of you can fully taste what you’re making?” Yuri looked even more confused.
“Fire drakes aren’t the only ones who like their food spicy.” I shrugged. “Which is why customers like you are so rare.”
“I see.” Yuri took a few more bites, looking thoughtful. Just when I was about to get up to leave, he continued. “It’s the opposite for ice dragons.”
