I was rather starved, so I didn’t argue. Maurice had enough extra meat that he made small sandwiches for the rest of them. Someone started playing music from a speaker. This was one of the busier days in the castle, yet they were laughing and soon dancing around in the kitchen. The dishwashers were a room over, ready and waiting for the salad plates to return, but the kitchen staff was done with their portion. Done until the evening meal, which unless certain parliament members decided to stay, would be decidedly easier.
I felt awful sitting and eating a plate of their hard work while they merely got the leftovers. But I knew better than to argue with Maurice. If I hurried up and ate, then I could treat them to cookies.
The food was delicious, and I was sure to tell them all so. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the first bite hit my lips. The mash was a sweet potato of sorts, the roast seared to perfection, and the fruity sauce with it was above and beyond. My tastebuds were going to burst. It was all so mouthwatering.
As I ate the last bite and wiped my mouth with my napkin, I shook my head. “Cookies after all that is going to feel inadequate.”
“Nonsense!” George called. “Not your cookies. Never your cookies.”
I looked to Owen and laughed.
“I’m with George,” he muttered from where he leaned against the doorway.
As I walked to one of the sinks to wash my hands, a thought struck me.Krew?
Yes, love?
I am in the main kitchens making cookies for the staff. Could you let me know when the session with parliament is wrapping up? That way I can make my exit here with plenty of time to spare.
Only if you save some for me.
Of course.
I hope you have a better afternoon than I am likely to have.
Poor, spoiled Prince.
I felt his amusement before he answered.Stop being facetious. I about spit out my drink.
With a smile on my face, I grabbed the butter and got to work. Deciding to quadruple the batch instead of double it, I was soon stirring and measuring.
Though the others had to be tired, every single one stayed. I wondered if things would change once they all knew I was a crown princess. I hoped not, but I knew better.
Once I was found out, everything would change.
* * *
After stayingin the kitchens for a few hours, Owen and I decided to go for a walk in the forest. I was mostly just curious if I would find any of the king’s spies out there. We were bound to run into them eventually.
“I need a nap,” Owen groaned as the matted down grass of the meadow swished at our boots.
“You could’ve stopped after three cookies and you probably wouldn’t feel that way,” I offered.
“But where is the fun in that!”
As we came into view of The Dead Lake, my magic stirred. I wanted to heal that lake and my magic, as an extension of me, knew it. And if it took me every day for a year standing in that nasty water and pouring my magic into it, then that was exactly what I’d do.
It was back to being a cold day, but with spring approaching, I was hoping the cold days were getting fewer and fewer. Though the more the weather turned to spring and the more I had to stand back and watch it, knowing I had the power to turn the forest green but couldn’t use it, I was going to struggle.
Time was somehow taking an eternity and also passing in the blink of an eye.
Feeling disheartened we hadn’t run into either the wolves or the king’s spies, I went over to one of the trees I had healed and sat on the ground a moment, looking up at all the leaves. The healed trees stuck out in stark contrast against the brown and black of all the others. And a grassy area circled the bottom of each tree I’d healed.
I wanted to send magic all around the ground trying to heal all the grass, creating a bed of green around The Black Lake. It pained me to not even try. But the priority right now was the king. Once the king was gone, I could be out here healing anything I wanted. Day after day after day.
I put my hand to the ground and promised, “Hang on, forest. First things first.”
Owen was a wise man and did not comment on my talking to the forest.
