Page 21 of Made

“Is that what made me feel lightheaded?”

“I think so.”

“I didn’t like it. And I won’t stand for it! I’m a queen! Not a puppet!”

During the time he’d hung around Ilmr’s court, he’d heard she could have a temper, but he’d never seen it. He had to admit that it was thrilling to see sparks flying from her eyes. High color rushed to her face and her fingertips crackled with a desire to send a current speeding through him. The idea of being harmed by Ilmr was laughable, but he could never let her know that if they were to be a successful pairing. Interspecies relationships were tricky. He’d known this from the beginning and now had seen firsthand that he needed to tread lightly, be more mindful of her reactions and, more to the point, her limitations. It was, however, going to be hard to stay away from the pull of seeing her angry. He already wanted a replay.

“Of course not. It wasn’t deliberate. I’ve never had a relationship with a fae before. I promise to be more careful.” She looked around and sniffed. She didn’t want to leave, but she wouldn’t allow herself to be manipulated either. “Come back. Let’s begin again.”

“Well. If you’re vowing not to do that thing…”

“I am.” He smiled, took her hand and led her to the table.

“Solemnly.”

“Yes. I’m vowing solemnly.”

She sighed. “I hope you’re better at keeping your vows than most people I know.”

He chuckled. “You’re saying that fae are not renowned for trustworthiness?”

“Does your experience differ?”

Vidar shook his head slightly. “I can’t say that it does.”

“Of course I’m an exception.”

With a roguish grin and eyes that glittered with the intensity of sun on ice, he said, “Of course.”

As beautiful as he was, Ilmr would be hard pressed to think of a priority that could rank higher than her desire to see that grin again. She smiled as she sat and turned her attention toward the banquet that had just appeared according to her precise order. It was as photogenic as a magazine cover.

She shoved the soup away not because it had lost its appeal, but because she was anticipating that the rest of the meal would be just as extraordinary.

After a few minutes, the mood was restored and Ilmr had once again relaxed.

Vidar made no effort to hide the fact that he was enjoying hosting immensely. When she made yummy sounds, in response to a bite made up of a half-forkful of roast turkey and a half-forkful of au gratin potatoes.

“I like that you’re easy to please, but I also wonder why you don’t simply conjure any sort of delicacy you want.”

With an embarrassed laugh, she said, “Well. Even fae queens can be provincial if they don’t leave home often.”

A look of confusion brought a tiny scowl to Vidar’s forehead. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that I can conjure something imagined or something experienced. When it comes to food, I can’t imagine how something might taste. It’s like a magical handicap. I must experience it to recreate it.”

Understanding smoothed his features. “Ah! So, after this you’ll be able to conjure these dishes exactly as I made them.”

“Exactly as you made them,” she nodded as she repeated the words just before taking another bite big enough to qualify as questionable manners. That was followed by more yummy sounds. She swallowed and laughed suddenly. “I was wondering why you hum when you eat. Now I know. When food tastes sooooo good, it can’t be helped.”

He turned a look of appreciation her way. “But I was humming while eating at your palace, Your Highness.”

“Well, that’s true. It must’ve been a good day in the kitchen. I’ll be relying on them less in the future. Because I can recreatethis!” After the briefest of pauses, she added. “Vidar! I hope you’ll show me more wonderful things to eat!”

“At your service. More than happy to share with you.”

“Do you… ah,needto eat? I mean, to live?”

“No. Eating is optional. Sometimes I do it for the sensory experience of food itself. Most often I eat because of the social aspects of meal-sharing.”