Chapter 41
NIK
Nik smelled burning.
“Shit! Shit!”
Fernand jerked a pot from the stove, calling the ruined orange sauce enough colorful names to make the audience laugh and the guards wary.
Elara was busy with her own dish, and time was ticking.
“What’s the problem?” he asked.
“Nothing.” Fernand shoved by him to toss the smoldering pot in the sink. “Get out of my way.”
He returned to the oven, cranked the burner to high, and started with another pot. The flames licked angrily at the base.
Nik turned the dial back. “It’s too hot. The sugar will burn before it caramelizes.”
This knowledge must’ve seeped in over the last few weeks. That and his ability to correctly measure. He poured in red wine vinegar with the sugar.
“Just let it slowly turn brown,” he said. “If it starts to darken in other spots, give it a gentle stir.”
He clapped Fernand on the shoulder. “Breathe. You’ve got time.”
Fernand shrugged him off, but Nik swore he heard a quiet thanks.