Chapter 10 Dominic
CHAPTER TEN
DOMINIC
Istrode through the castle corridors, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls.
The council meeting had dragged on for hours, endless discussions about grain quotas for the western districts, tax assessments that needed reviewing, and the ever-thrilling debate about whether the road repairs should be completed in phases or all at once.
Riveting stuff.
My mind had wandered more times than I wanted to admit.
While Lord Ferrick droned on about bridge maintenance costs, I’d been thinking about the way Sasha had moaned while eating the cakes.
When Lady Beauchamp questioned the budget allocation for festival preparations, I’d been remembering how Sasha’s eyes had lit up while she was talking about her plant magic.
At least the giggling hadn’t disrupted this particular meeting. Whatever distance or time had done, I’d been able to sit through hours of administrative discussion without a single involuntary chuckle. Small mercies.
Now, though, anticipation thrummed through me with each step toward the manor house. Dinner. Our first real meal together that wasn’t interrupted by court chaos or mysterious laughter. A chance to get to know the real Sasha behind the strategic witch and problem-solver.
I wanted this more than I should probably admit, even to myself.
A servant passed me in the hall, giving me a deep bow. “Your Majesty.”
“Evening.” I nodded as I continued past.
The truth was, I’d been looking forward to this dinner since the moment we’d parted in the garden.
Watching Sasha’s analytical mind pick apart the mystery of the giggling had been unexpectedly wonderful.
But part of me worried that once we solved these problems, she’d realize I was just a king managing daily court life.
No crises to solve together, no mysteries requiring her brilliant strategic mind.
Just me. Would that be enough?
I pushed through the door that led from the castle into the manor house, my thoughts still churning. The covered walkway stretched ahead, lined with more drooping plants that I made a mental note to check on later. Right now, I had more immediate concerns.
Ahead, warm light spilled from kitchen doorway along with the scent of roasting meat and fresh herbs.
I stepped inside to find everyone bustling around. Alaina stood at the central island, directing three staff members as they magically chopped vegetables. Tomis stirred something fragrant in a large pot on the stove while Nan pulled bread from one of the ovens, the crust golden and steaming.
“Your Majesty.” Alaina looked up, surprise crossing her features before settling into a welcoming smile. “We weren’t expecting you again so soon. Is something wrong with your dinner preparations? I was planning to send everything up to your suite in about an hour.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I said, moving deeper into the kitchen.
The heat from the ovens wrapped around me, comforting and familiar.
I’d spent plenty of time in here over the years, much to my mother’s initial dismay.
“Actually, I wanted to discuss tonight’s meal.
I was hoping we could make it something special. ”
Alaina’s eyes brightened. “Special how?”
I glanced around at the other staff, all of whom had paused in their work to listen. Tomis grinned at me over his pot while Nan set down her bread paddle, clearly intrigued.
“It’s my first proper dinner with my new wife,” I said, letting a bit of sheepishness into my tone. “No court obligations, no interruptions. Just the two of us getting to know each other. I’d like it to be memorable.”
“Oh, how romantic,” Nan sighed, pressing a hand to her chest.
“The king wants to impress his bride,” Tomis said with a knowing nod. “We can certainly help with that, Your Majesty.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” I moved to the shelves where various ingredients were stored, running my fingers along the labels. “I’d like to use some specific items for tonight. Things from my private stores, maybe some vegetables from the sections of the garden I tend to personally.”
Alaina joined me, her expression turning thoughtful. “That’s doable, of course. What were you thinking? Any particular type of dish?”
“Something elegant but not too formal. I don’t want her to feel like this is another court function.
” I selected a tin of herbs I’d dried myself, opening it to release the sharp scent of rosemary and thyme.
“Maybe roasted quail with spring vegetables? And that sauce you make with the white wine and mushrooms?”
“An excellent choice,” Alaina said. “We could do a light soup to start, perhaps the butternut with sage? And for dessert, cake with fresh berries?”
“Perfect.” I picked up a basket, beginning to gather ingredients.
Some actually felt…tainted. That wasn’t quite the right word, but more a feeling. I didn’t possess Sasha’s touch with plants, but when I truly focused, I could feel…something.
Someone was tampering with our food. I could see that now.
Who and why?
The vegetables felt alright, and the herbs responded to my touch with a faint warmth that meant they were still properly connected to their magical essence. Perhaps that was my skill, identifying their lack of connection to my court, a subtle parallel to what Sasha could do.
“Your Majesty,” Tomis called from the stove where he used magic to stir the soup. “Should we use the aged wine from the cellar, the one from three harvests ago?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” I continued selecting ingredients, aware of Alaina watching me with curiosity. She was sharp. She’d notice I was being unusually particular about what went into this meal.
It was time to deploy some charm.
“I know I’m being fussy,” I said, giving her my most winning smile. “But Sasha is… Well, she’s remarkable. Brilliant and serious and completely unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I want everything to be perfect. And I know that the only way to ensure perfection is to put it in your capable hands.”
Alaina’s expression softened. “You really care for her.”
“I do.” The admission came easily because it was true. “More than I probably should after only knowing her for such a short time.” She’d made an impression on me the first time we met, however, while signing our marriage agreement. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since.
“Love doesn’t follow a schedule, Your Majesty,” Nan said from the ovens, her voice gentle. “Sometimes it arrives all at once, like a summer storm.”
“Perhaps.” I set my basket of ingredients on the counter, letting my magic flow through them one more time. Everything felt connected to my court. “Alaina, would you mind keeping an eye on the preparation personally? I know it’s a lot to ask when you have so much else to manage, but—”
“Of course I will,” she said. “I’ll oversee every step myself. Nothing will go wrong with this dinner, I promise you.”
Relief flooded through me. “Thank you. Truly.”
“Though I should mention,” she added with a sly smile, “the way to a witch’s heart might not be through her stomach. From what I saw this morning, your queen seems more interested in mysteries than meals.”
“Oh, I’m counting on that too,” I said. “But a man must do what he can.”
The kitchen staff chuckled, and the tension I’d been carrying eased. They’d watch the food, keep it safe, and never realize they were doing anything more than helping their king romance his new bride.
Getting people to do what you needed while making them think it was their idea all along was political management at its finest.
“I’ll get started right away.” Alaina was already reaching for the vegetables I’d selected. “You go make yourself presentable. We can’t have you showing up to this dinner in council clothes.”
I glanced down at my formal robes. “You make an excellent point.”
“We’ll have everything ready in an hour,” Tomis called out as I headed for the door.
“You’re all wonderful,” I said. “The court is lucky to have you.”
Their pleased expressions followed me out into the corridor.
As the kitchen door swung shut behind me, I smiled.
The food wouldn’t bring on laughter, Sasha would be fed something she’d enjoy, and I’d managed to arrange it all with the kitchen staff without revealing my suspicions about contamination.
Now I just had to hope the dinner itself lived up to this careful planning.
The manor house hallways stretched quietly around me, most of the staff having retired for the evening or moved to their own quarters. Magical lights flickered to life as I passed, responding to my presence with a soft glow.
Portraits along the walls turned to follow me as I passed, their painted eyes tracking me with interest. One elderly fae lord tipped his painted hat, while a lady in elaborate court dress adjusted her fan.
“Good evening, Your Majesty,” they whispered from the canvas.
I dipped my head their way. “A good evening to you.”
I came across more wilted plants in the alcoves, decorative vines that should be lush and green but drooped against the stone walls instead.
Another problem to solve, but not tonight. Tonight was for Sasha and me, for building something beyond investigating this mess.
“Dominic.”
I turned to find my mother emerging from a side corridor, elegant as always in a flowing gown of deep purple. Her silver-streaked hair had been arranged in a simple style that looked more regal than her usual court fashion.
“Mother,” I said. “I thought you’d retired for the evening.”
“I was reading in the library.” She studied me with those sharp eyes that had governed this court for decades. “You look pleased with yourself.”
“Do I?”
“Mm. The kind of pleased that usually means you’ve either won at something or you’re planning to.”
“I’m just…happy.”
Her smile grew. “Wonderful. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Your new bride is lovely.”
“Yes, she is.” My own smile rose to match hers. “How are you feeling?”