Chapter 28
I scan the large gathering area. There are tables everywhere, most of which are empty now.
In the very center of the room is the trunk of a tree that I wouldn’t even be able to wrap my arms around; it’s so wide.
I can see the tips of the branches through the opening around it in the ceiling.
Around the room are several food prep areas, and several people are prepping food.
I smell lots of different smells, and everything smells amazing.
“It’s pretty empty right now, but that will change in the next little bit,” Mae says by way of explanation.
“What are you ladies hungry for? Fresh meat is that way, soups and stews are that way, breads and jellies are over there, and pastries are there.”
“This is crazy,” Harper says quietly.
“Isn’t it amazing?” Mae asks.
I don’t say anything, but I know that’s not what Harper meant.
It’s hard to see this much food in one place.
Even now, now that we have all our needs met, there are still times when it’s hard to see so much food.
Of course, there are a lot of people that need to eat here; but still.
..it’s hard. I don’t have to ask to know that’s how she’s feeling; I’m feeling the same way.
I push thoughts of scarcity from my mind and focus on the here and now.
“All right. I want to check out each section. Can we do that? I won’t eat from each section; I just want to check them out. ”
“Kinsley, you could eat double from each section if you wanted,” Mae says with a huge smile. Her smile falters when she looks at me. “Is that...are you okay?”
“I’m fine. This is really great.”
“Kinsley,” Mae says softly. “Is it...is it because of how you grew up?”
I don’t try to shy away from it. “Yes. We never had enough food, so this is just a lot to take in. I love that there’s this place where your people can get good food whenever they need it. That’s amazing.”
Mae’s smile is genuine. “It is. We are really blessed.” She leaves me with an apology and says she’ll be right back after she talks to someone.
While I’m alone, I watch as all different people come in.
A group of men here, several moms and kids there, some individuals by themselves, both young and old.
But it’s the families that capture and hold my attention.
Moms and dads with several kids. I watch as one of them stays with the kids, and the other goes to get food.
I smile at some of the kids who cause problems, spill their drinks, babies that drop food, and toddlers that throw fits.
I’m not sure how long I watch the people of the Jaguar Kingdom, but it’s long enough that a feeling of rightness and a yearning for belonging fills me.
These people—they represent life, family, happiness.
..and I want that. All of it. Several people come through the door next, and my eyes are drawn to them.
Well, my eyes are drawn specifically to the tallest in the group.
Kaldar strides into the Grove like the king he is.
He walks with such power and authority and yet a kindness and grace that make him unlike anyone else.
I can’t help but stare at him. As if he feels my gaze, his eyes snap to mine.
Even from across the huge room, I feel the intensity of his gaze.
He nods at something someone says without ever looking away from me.
Then he’s striding towards me. I feel my breathing catch in my chest as he makes his way towards me, and I have to remind myself that it’s just Kaldar.
Yes, he’s Kaldar the king; but he’s also the man who became my friend and confidant during the Rites.
He stops right in front of me, towering over me.
I don’t fail to notice that Jorren and Taren are near, but they give us some space.
It makes me wonder what happened to Reika, but I'm not too sad she disappeared. “I made it,” Kaldar says with a sparkle in his eyes. I look up at him, unsure what he’s talking about. “For lunch.”
“Ah.” I can’t help my smile. “Am I supposed to congratulate you on something you should be doing all the time?” I try to sound stern, but I’m pretty sure it comes across as anything but.
“You could.” He glances around us. “Have you eaten anything yet?”
“No, I can’t choose what to get.”
“Get some of everything.” He leans close, and I catch my breath.
“Watch and learn,” he says right next to my ear.
He puts a hand on my lower back as we walk towards the nearest station, which happens to be where they’re making soup or stew or something that smells amazing.
“Mmm, smells good over here,” Kaldar says as we approach. “What’s cooking today, Nell?”
The woman with gray hair that smiled at me earlier now beams at Kaldar. “Tender lamb cuts with veggies in a simmering broth.”
“Well, we have to try that,” Kaldar says easily. Nell dishes him out a large bowl and hands it to him.
“Would you like some too?” Nell asks, turning to me.
“Yes, please.” After we both have steaming bowls of soup, I expect to go to a table and sit.
That’s not what happens. Instead, we move to the next section where Kaldar talks to more workers, and we end up with plates piled high with meat, more than I can possibly eat.
Kaldar passes his food off to Jorren, and he motions to Reika.
With a barely concealed eye roll, she takes the bowl of soup and plate of meat for me.
We don’t follow them, though. We walk to the next station where Kaldar greets several workers by name, and we walk away with two plates piled high with bread and two kinds of fresh jam.
I’m not going to lie. I might be able to eat everything on that plate.
The bread smells so good. Lastly, we stop at the pastry section.
My mouth waters as I look at the trays of pastries.
“Vance, talk us through your delicious desserts today,” Kaldar says with an easy smile.
The man describes his pastries to us with all the pride and joy of a man who knows he’s good at what he does.
In the end, Kaldar asks for one of everything.
We end up with two plates piled high with flaky pastries.
We finally head towards the table where Harper is sitting.
Reika, Jorren, and Taren sit with us as well.
“Did you leave any food for anybody else?” Harper asks dryly. I instantly feel bad.
Kaldar, who’s seated on the bench seat next to me, turns towards Harper.
As he does, his long leg leans against mine, but I don’t make a move to pull away.
He doesn’t either. “There’s plenty of food for everyone, Harper,” he says in a voice that’s both patient and kind.
Then he lowers his voice. “I also want my people to know that I appreciate their hard work, and the best way for me to do that is to eat everybody’s food that they’ve worked hard on.
My team knows I do this, and they help eat what I can’t. So, none of this will go to waste.”
Harper doesn’t say anything, and I can’t tell if she’s miffed or not.
She’s so hard to read at times. Not wanting to make a bigger deal, I slide the plate of bread towards her.
“Try this bread with me?” I don’t wait for her.
I grab a piece and slather the fresh jam over it.
When I take a bite, the bread nearly melts in my mouth.
My eyes widen in surprise as I turn to Kaldar.
The corner of his mouth ticks up into a smile. “Good right?”
“This bread is so good.”
He slides my bowl of lamb towards me. “Try that.”
I eye the pastries on the plate. “I will, but can I try one of those first.” He pulls the plate forward, and I stare at it, unable to decide which to try first.
“You can try all of them,” Kaldar says right next to my ear. “But try the raspberry one first; I think you’ll like it.”
I take a bite of flaky pastry, and my eyes nearly roll back in my head.
“That’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.
” Kaldar chuckles, and I take a few more bites before reluctantly setting it down and turning to the lamb.
I reach for the spoon and take a small bite, being sure to get both the lamb and some of the roasted veggies.
The bite is an explosion of flavor in my mouth, and the meat is so tender.
“That’s really good. Like really good.” I glance at him.
“Don’t tell Hector, but I think your people might have him beat. ”
Kaldar looks pleased with this information.
When he takes a bite of soup, I take a second to study his profile.
He has such a strong profile; his jaw seems to be made of granite.
He turns suddenly, and I feel my face heat up.
He totally caught me staring at him. But he says nothing, just gives me a small smile. “Did you try the meat yet?”
“Not yet.” I slide the plate of meat over. “What kind of meat is it?”
“I believe it’s stag today,” he says. Jorren, sitting across the table from Kaldar, nods in agreement.
I stare at the huge pile of red meat in front of me. “I’m going to be honest. I’m not really a big meat person.”
Taren, who’s sitting across from me, leans forward. “Not a meat person?” He looks over at Kaldar and then at me. “I don’t know if this is going to work.” He’s so serious, and I don’t really know him well enough to know if he’s teasing or not.
“It’s not that I don’t like meat; it’s just—”
Kaldar puts a hand on my leg. “Ignore him; he’s just messing with you.”
When I look across the table, Taren is grinning. I pull my plate closer to me. “See if I share any of this with you now?”
Taren’s eyes dance. “You haven’t even decided if you like it yet.”
I look down at the plate. “You don’t have to eat it,” Kaldar says softly.
I cut into one of the thinner pieces of meat and find a piece that’s a little less bloody.
I take a bite and chew. It’s really tender and goes down easily.
“Well?” Taren asks. I feel everybody at the table is waiting for my answer.
Even Jorren has stopped working his way through the pile of meat on the plate in front of him.
“It’s actually pretty good,” I offer with a smile.
“See.” Taren says as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“I still don’t need a plate of it, though.”
“I’ll take it off your hands,” Taren says, sliding my plate forward. Kaldar puts his knife on the plate, stilling it and keeping from moving forward.
“Are you finished with it?” Kaldar asks me.
“Yes. Thank you. It's really good. The meat was tender, and I really enjoyed it. I just—”
Kaldar squeezes my leg gently with the hand that’s still resting there. “You don’t have to eat it. If you never ate meat, that would be fine.”
I let his words soak in as I watch Taren slide the plate forward and start eating. After a moment, I turn to Kaldar. He turns to meet my gaze. “Thank you,” I say softly.
I focus on the lamb and veggies in broth instead and use bread to soak up some of the broth.
It’s really good. I slide it towards Harper, who takes a few bites as well.
I can’t help but smile as I watch the guys pack it away.
Jorren eats with an intensity I don’t think I’ve ever seen, but I’m pretty sure that’s just his personality.
He seems pretty intense overall. I’ve just about finished my bowl of meat and veggies when there’s a loud clanging sound that startles me.
Instantly, chairs start pushing away from the table.
Kaldar, Jorren, Taren, and Reika are on their feet instantly.