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“What are we doing in the kitchen?” I ask. “Are we supposed to be here?”

The last thing I need is to get into more trouble.

“You’ll see,” Lumen promises.

What’s the worst that could happen?

I struggle to breathe in the sweltering heat. We go past a row of cooks, all busy with their own stoves. Nobody looks our way, but I can’t help worrying about what’ll happen if someone does.

I’d hate to think about what Mrs. Middlebrooks would make me clean next. Could there be something worse than the gym after the dance? I really don’t want to find out.

I’m about to tell Halen and Lumen I’ll see them later when we round a corner and face a wall of cakes. They’re in every color of the rainbow, and they smell sweeter than any dessert I’ve ever smelled—or at least can recall from living on land.

Lumen grins. “Which one do you girls want?”

I look around. “We aren’t going to get in trouble, are we?”

An older woman comes into the room.

My stomach twists. Busted.

“We got lost,” I spit out. “We’re looking for the exercise room.”

Halen snorts.

I glare at her.

The older woman wraps her arms around Lumen. “So good to see you, my dear. I have several extra treats today.”

I catch my breath. “Okay, what’s going on?”

The lady kisses Lumen’s cheek. “Pleasure to meet you, Marra. I’m Sandy, Lumen’s auntie—on her father’s side. That’s why I’m working here. And I always make extras for her and her friends.”

“Oh.” I glare at my friends who could’ve let me in on the secret before scaring me half to death. “Thanks. It’s nice to meet you too.”

Sandy smiles then holds up a lavender cake. “This is my latest creation. My favorite so far. Would you girls like to test it before I present the recipe to the head cook?”

“We sure would.” Lumen beams. “Thanks so much, Auntie.”

Sandy cuts three enormous pieces and gives us each one. “What do you think?”

It melts in my mouth and sends an explosion of flavor over my tongue. I swallow and add more to my fork. “I’ve never tasted anything so good.”

She beams. “You don’t know what that means to me, your highness.”

“Call me Marra. I’m just another student. Really.”

We finish off the entire cake between the four of us. I’m so full, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat for a month.

The meal bell rings.

I give my friends a confused look. “Didn’t we already have dinner? Or am I losing it?”

Halen laughs. “Many times on the weekends, we have an evening snack.”

“Oh, I see.” And that means both Bash and Earwig will be at the table. Awesome.