Page 24 of The Beast King's Bride

7

ASH

Bright sunlight spears through the large window. The sky outside… is pink, and I remember where I am with a pang of panic.

The birdsong outside when I push the window open sounds kind of familiar, though, and the trees with the rustling foliage look like trees, not mushrooms. It settles my spiking heartbeat.

I can do this. I can exist here until I figure out a way to go back—to the human world, the palace, the annoying cook, Pete and Poe…

Someone tries the handle of the door and I walk over to open it. The food from last night, still on the table, beckons but when Jassin enters with a plate of something hot and steaming, my mouth waters. Meaty, herby, slightly spicy. Whatever is on that plate smells delicious.

Then my stomach gurgles and heat washes over my face. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed. In the kitchens, nobody cared about manners, but somewhere in my childhood, when I was still being groomed to become a princess, I learned such things and now they’re coming back to me, cornering me, shaming me when I shouldn’t care.

“Good morning, Ash.” Jassin beams at me and carries the plate to the table. “Soup and bread and cheese. I hope you liked your dinner—”

“I fell asleep last night,” I say when he stops in front of the table. “Too tired to eat.”

He nods and carefully places his tray beside last night’s food. “I will clear this away. I thought maybe you didn’t like my cooking—”

“Your cooking? What happened to the cook?”

“Oh, she, um… She had to leave.” He smiles at me, a quick flash of teeth, as he takes out the breakfast and sets it on the table, then starts gathering the rest back on his tray.

“And why would you take her place?”

“I’m not such a bad cook, am I?”

“I’ll have to try first,” I say noncommittally, though it would be hard to find fault with food. I did grow up on the scraps servants are fed and the soup smells so good.

“Of course. I should leave you to it.” It’s the turn of his stomach to gurgle and I laugh.

“Gotcha.”

He stares at me. “You’re…” He shakes his head.

“I’m what?”

“Nothing.” His cheeks color. “I left you a dress and shoes last night.” He nods at a chair set against the wall. “And there’s a basin and water to wash. His majesty will visit you as soon as his work allows.”

“His work. Right. Because kings work so hard.”

Jassin lifts the tray and doesn’t meet my eyes. “Enjoy your breakfast, Ash.”

“Wait… am I free to leave the room now?”

“Of course. Just… don’t run away. I don’t think his majesty can run after you today.”

“Why not?” I ask.

But he leaves quickly, closing the door behind him, leaving me with more questions than before.

It’s starting to become a pattern.

The soup is good, the bread and cheese excellent, and to be honest, I’d have eaten moldy bread and the worst gruel, I’m so hungry. After finishing I feel much better, my head clearer than it has been since I was taken.

All right, think, Ash.

I’m free to roam the palace, apparently. There are doors and windows that I can open and walk out when nobody is looking. No time to waste. I’d better get going before the king arrives.

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