Chapter 8 #2
“I’ve spent fourteen years searching for a way out.
I’ve tried everything I could imagine and have come up empty handed.
I wish that wasn’t the way of things, but it is.
I will die here, in this cottage or out in that grove of trees.
I won’t have you imprisoned here, too, at risk of being found by the wizard.
” Vor shook his head. “I never should’ve touched you in the first place.
I told myself I could have a taste without wanting all of you.
I was wrong. I’m sorry I’ve done this to us. ”
A tear escaped and ran down Snow’s cheek. “You will have all of me. We’ll find a way.”
Vor rolled them over again, hugging Snow closer.
He pressed a soft kiss to Snow’s temple.
“We can wish all we want, but it’s impossible, my love.
There’s no point pretending and making this even harder on both of us.
You deserve more than me. I won’t tie you to this place and prevent you from living a full life. ”
Snow lay his head on his mate’s chest and let the tears come.
Not just for Vor’s hurtful truth, but for all of it.
He’d lost so much in the span of a day—and he wasn’t ready to let go of the promise they held in their hands.
Vor had lost, too. Fourteen years he’d lost. Would he really give up on his chance for a small bit of happiness?
There had to be a way for them to be together.
Snow refused to give up on his happily ever after.
It was barely gray outside when Snow was awakened again. The mattress dipped beside him, and he immediately grew chilled. He turned to curl against Vor, but the bed was empty. Opening his eyes, he found Vor pulling on a pair of woolen braies, standing at the side of their bed.
“Come back to bed,” Snow pleaded, reaching for Vor’s strong hand.
“I wish I could, my love. But the day soon dawns and there are trees to fell,” Vor replied. He walked to the fire and tossed on another log, his muscled back facing Snow. “I’ll warm the room before I go.”
Snow pulled the blankets tighter, hating that Vor was forced to leave their bed. It wasn’t right, nor fair, that he’d lay abed all morning while Vor labored.
“Can I help in some way?” Snow asked, sitting up.
“Stay warm here in the cottage,” Vor said, his tanned back to Snow. “There’s plenty of ale. We don’t have many, but there are a few books in the main hall bookcase if you wish for a diversion. I wish I could offer you more than that.”
“It’s more than enough to have food, a roof, and a warm bed, Vor.”
Snow crawled from the bed and stood beside Vor, shivering. “What else can you tell me of the wizard?”
“There’s little more to tell, but even so, there’s no time now,” Vor said. He collected a heavy blanket from the bed and draped it over Snow’s shoulder like a robe. “We can answer some of your questions tonight, hmm?”
Snow nodded.
“I’m going to get something to eat to break my fast. You’re welcome to come out or crawl back into bed if you choose. We used you well last night—which in all honesty wasn’t fair. After you’d been chased out of your home, you deserved rest, not hard use. Promise me you’ll rest today.”
“As if I didn’t want to be used?” Snow cuddled close to Vor. “In all honesty, being well-fucked kept my mind from lingering on all that happened. I fear I’ll lounge about here and grow maudlin. I don’t want that.”
Vor caressed his face. “Sleep would prevent maudlin thoughts.”
“I don’t know if I could sleep in a cold bed.”
“I’d stay all day if I could.” Vor sighed. “Why don’t you let me tuck you in and get you warm again?”
“Later,” Snow replied. “I don’t want to miss a minute of time with you before you leave.”
Vor smiled before stealing a kiss. They left Vor’s bedroom arm in arm.
Out in the main hall, Owan was spooning an oat porridge he’d started the previous night into bowls.
Snow gladly took one, hoping it was better than the fermented fish stew of the previous night.
It definitely smelled infinitely better.
He sat amongst the alphas, finding joy in their morning grumps and early sleepy smiles.
“You seem to have a never-ending supply of oats here,” Snow said before spooning some of the warmed oat porridge between his lips.
He moaned, the cinnamon a delightful surprise addition.
Cinnamon was always well stocked in the castle, but he’d not expected them to have it in their cottage.
It was expensive and typically reserved for the highborn alone.
“Luckily someone knows how to use them well. This is delicious, Owan.”
Before Owan could reply, Shen interrupted them.
“If you like this, you’ll love my yavagu,” Shen said, appearing a bit envious of the praise Owan had received.
“Thank you,” Owan said to Snow, interrupting Shen.
Shen wasn’t done outmatching Owan. “Yavagu is much like your porridge but made with rice instead. Or my khichri. You would probably love that, Snow White.”
“You have cinnamon and rice here? Your larder must be as well stocked as the castle’s,” Snow said.
Owan snickered. “We have an enchanted root cellar.”
“What does that mean?” Snow asked, wide-eyed.
“Any food or ingredient that’s placed in there—reappears the morning after it’s taken,” Owan replied.
“The basics were there when Vor arrived. Flour, milk, salt, and the like. Over the years we’ve added other things like butter, cheese, smoked fish, rabbit, and such.
Whatever we can manage to make or hunt.”
“Thankfully, Shen and I traveled with our own provisions like rice, dried lentils, ghee, spices, and herbs from our homelands. We added those to the root cellar, as well, so we now have an unending supply,” Hwa added. “Thankfully. These men of the west do not season their food well.”
“We season our food,” Greer argued.
“And what do you use?” Shen asked Greer. Greer opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Shen added, “Besides salt?”
Greer grumbled, “Salt is seasoning.”
“One of thousands,” Hwa stated, giving Greer a haughty look.
“Onions and leeks are fresh and not dried powders that are too hot for the tongue to enjoy,” Greer reasoned.
“Hot spices?” Snow asked, curious of the flavors they’d offer him to sample. “I can’t wait to taste something you two have cooked,” Snow said.
“Tonight is my night,” Owan said, winking at Lazlo.
Lazlo’s cheeks turned pink.
“Soon,” Hwa said, rising from the trestle table and carrying his bowl with him. “We’ll make you a feast of flavors.”
The others soon followed him, stacking their empty bowls at the end of the table.
Snow gave all but Klaus a kiss goodbye as they grabbed their axes from beside the door and departed for the day.
After they were all gone, he realized they’d not taken a midday meal.
He swung the door open and yelled for them to stop—only to be told they had little time to stop and eat until the sun went down.
Snow sighed. How were the alphas supposed to retain their energy without a midday meal? He returned to the hall, no idea how to cook himself and unsure what he could do to improve their situation. He gazed at the dirty bowls left behind and knew that was one thing he could do to help.
First, he’d need to get water from the well and he’d never gotten water from a well.
How hard could that be? It didn’t take long to realize it was quite difficult.
He had no idea how the water gatherers at the castle did such back-breaking work day in and day out, bringing bucket after heavy bucket in to use.
It took him hours to bring in enough water to clean breakfast away, but he finally managed it.
After a rest, he searched for the books Vor had promised.
The first he found was one filled with handwritten recipes for their ale, a few quickbreads, and a couple of stews.
A smile came to his face. If Snow made dinner for them, surely they would be pleased.
They had such little time that was their own.
If he could give them a couple of hours back, he would repay them for sharing their home and food with him.
He’d never cooked, but how hard could it be? He’d managed the water.
He could sort dinner, too, couldn’t he?