Chapter 7 Dominic
CHAPTER SEVEN
DOMINIC
Iurged Sasha to enter the kitchen ahead of me, gently closing the door behind us.
Heat radiated from the big ovens built into the stone walls. The scent of fresh bread mingled with herbs hanging in bundles from the ceiling beams, creating an atmosphere that felt both cozy and tense.
Loaves of bread were being kneaded on a long wooden counter—by no one, though a cook supervised the process. Fae magic at its best.
Pots stirred themselves over the stoves, wooden spoons shifting through sauces while staff tossed in spices or added other ingredients.
Flour sifted itself through floating sieves, and eggs cracked themselves into bowls at the direction of staff.
A tea kettle hummed, steam rising from its spout in the shape of tiny dancing figures.
Lady Lydia Featherby stood near the herb pantry, carefully examining bundles of dried plants hanging from the ceiling beams. She wore a white apron with tiny flowers over her purple gown, plus a lace cap over her braids.
“Oh, this feverfew is getting quite old,” she said, gently touching the stems full of leaves.
“And we’re running terribly low on frostmire.
I simply must speak with the gardeners tomorrow about increasing the plantings.
” She selected several sprigs of herbs, perhaps planning to prepare one of her healing remedies.
“That should do,” she said with a pert nod, turning and striding across the kitchen, giving us a sweet smile as she passed. The kitchen door closed behind her.
Sasha stood beside me, taking in the staff bustling around us, her posture as straight as a blade. A strand of dark hair had escaped her tight braid, curling against her cheek. I wanted to tuck it back for her.
She gave me a nod and whispered. “I’m ready.”
“If I could speak for a moment,” I announced to the room in general.
Silence descended and the staff stopped whatever they were doing, turning our way.
“Ah, Your Majesties. I’m sorry I didn’t note you’d arrived.
” Alaina, the head chef, came over to greet us.
“So lovely to have you stop in. Would you like tea brought to your room? Perhaps some of the cakes we’ve just finished decorating?
” Her hand swept to a platter of bite size cakes with intricate frosting decorations.
“Or something heartier, perhaps? We’d be happy to fix you a platter of both sweet and savory morsels to go with your tea. ”
“Actually, we have some questions,” Sasha said.
“Allow me to formally introduce my new bride and your queen, Sasha Moonwhisper Thornwick Featherdorn.”
Curtsies and bows erupted from the staff.
“Sasha, this is Alaina, our head chef, and…” I named off the rest of the staff.
“What sort of questions do you have?” Alaina looked between us, her expression pleasant. “Would you like to know our recipe for a particular dish or…?”
“Actually, I’d love to talk about your tea preparation process,” Sasha said.
“Ah, yes, well.” Alaina smoothed her flour-covered hands across her apron. “We buy only the best tea leaves, dried under the full moon. That brings out the best flavor, don’t you think?”
“Most definitely.” Sasha moved farther into the room, looking around.
“While tea often upsets my stomach, which is why I requested primwort with cream with my breakfast, knowing that your leaves undergo such an amazing process makes me want to try some anyway. I still have more questions, but I’d love to have some tea sent to our suite after we leave.
” She peered at the island dominating the center of the room.
“And some of those gorgeous cakes. Did you make them yourself?”
Alaina’s cheeks brightened and her smile, which had initially been stilted, softened.
“Not completely.” She swept her hand toward the staff still watching us intently while pots bubbled on the stove and vegetables and fruits lying on the counter went uncut.
“My amazing staff helped prepare and cook them, though I’ll take credit for the decorating.
I do that myself. I’ve always felt a good chef puts that finishing touch on a treat herself rather than delegating it to others.
If I keep my fingers in the mix, the batch always comes out better. ”
“I completely agree,” Sasha said, moving closer to the platter of cakes. “Can I try one?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Alaina shot me a pleased look.
I watched Sasha in action, marveling at how she didn’t just spit out questions but has gone out of her way to make friends with the staff first.
One of the men hurried to collect a small plate from the cupboard, laying it on the counter in front of Sasha with a grand flourish. He backed away, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I mixed up this batch myself,” he said.
Sasha nodded in a solemn way. “I cannot wait to taste it.”
Savory swooped off her shoulder, landing lightly on the end of the island, eyeing the cakes.
“No, you can’t have any sweets,” Sasha told her companion with a touch of indulgence in her voice. “You know they give you gas.”
I could swear the bird scowled.
The staff watched the interaction intently, as if this was the most wonderful thing to happen in the kitchen for months. And maybe it was.
Sasha studied the cakes. “They’re all so pretty.
How will I pick?” She sighed. “I almost hate to eat them and ruin their beauty.” Her smile swept across the staff watching raptly.
“But there’s no way I’m leaving this kitchen without eating at least one.
” She carefully took three, placing them on the plate, then lifted one and popped it into her mouth.
The moan she released, followed by closing her eyes and swaying in place made heat shoot to my groin.
My cock jolted as if she’d reached into my pants and glided her finger down the length.
I’d been attracted to my bride from the moment I met her, but I hadn’t expected I’d need to suppress my arousal for her in the castle’s kitchens while discussing cakes.
It was all I could do to remain still and keep my expression neutral as Sasha ate the three cakes, moaning through them.
The kitchen staff beamed. A few nodded my way in approval.
This witch was fitting in well with my people already.
Watching her charm them so effortlessly made my chest feel bruised on the inside. I was falling hard, something that would be expected with a fated mate. I’d known that detail from the moment we touched.
But her focus on the questions felt like proof that for her, this was all duty.
“Could you tell me how you prepare the tea?” Sasha asked, gazing at the pile of cakes as if she wanted to eat another three.
I wasn’t sure my body could take much more of her moaning. I kept picturing myself kissing her, tasting the bit of sweetness left in her mouth, and savoring the moans she might release in response to my touch instead.
“I’m particularly interested in how you know the right amount of leaves to place in each pot,” she said. “And other details, such as, do you strain the tea or allow it to remain in the water?”
Alaina urged Sasha to settle on the stool at the counter. Once she’d sat, Alaina placed more cakes on the small plate.
I stiffly walked over to sit near Sasha, trying not to notice how sweet she smelled, like vanilla and sugar, and how that strand of hair remained on her face, just begging for me to slide it back behind her ear.
Alaina launched into an enthusiastic explanation about the kitchen’s tea preparation rituals. I forced my attention away from Sasha’s lips and tried to focus on what was being said.
“We start with the dried leaves, of course,” Alaina said, gesturing to one of her staff members who hurried to retrieve several tins from a cupboard. “The timing of the harvest matters enormously. Too early and the flavor lacks depth. Too late and it becomes bitter.”
“Fascinating,” Sasha said, leaning forward with genuine interest. “And how do you determine the perfect moment?” She placed another cake in her mouth.
I did my best not to notice how much she enjoyed it.
“Experience, mostly,” Alaina said. “Though there are signs to watch for. The color of the leaves, their texture, even the way they smell when you crush them between your fingers.”
I watched Sasha absorb this information, cataloging it in that systematic way of hers.
She was building a picture, piece by piece, though I still wasn’t exactly sure what she was looking for.
Her efficiency drew me in deeper, but it also contained a subtle sting, because it suggested she saw me as an ally in this investigation, not a man she might want beyond my throne’s demands.
Although, she had hinted she might one day want more, and that gave me heart. I’d show her I could match her competence, be the king worthy of everything.
“And the storage?” Sasha asked. “I imagine that’s important too.”
“Absolutely critical,” Alaina said, warming to the subject. She retrieved and set several tins on the counter, opening one to show us the contents. “We keep them sealed tight, away from light and moisture. Each variety gets its own tin, properly labeled.”
Sasha nodded. “Do you prepare large batches at once, or smaller amounts throughout the day?”
“Depends on the day’s needs,” Alaina said. “For regular meals, we prepare enough for several pots at a time. But for special occasions or when guests request specific blends, we make individual portions.”
“And this morning?” I asked, seeing where Sasha’s questions were leading. “Was breakfast tea prepared in advance or fresh?”
“Fresh, Your Majesty,” one of the younger staff members piped up, a woman with copper-colored hair tied back in a neat bun. “I prepared it myself before serving time, using the spring harvest blend, same as always.”
“You did an excellent job,” Sasha said. “While I didn’t have any, I could smell it, and I was sure it would taste divine. It was perfectly brewed.”
The young woman’s face lit up.