Page 14

Despite the chaos and frenzied activity, Maris could tell the kitchen ran with a well-oiled efficiency.

Melvian patted her arm, gaining her attention before saying she was to find the headmistress. Maris nodded at her best friend and stood by a corner as she watched everything unfold. After a brief respite, the doors by the archway burst open as a tall man with the reddest hair she had ever seen waltzed in as if he owned the place. He bellowed a salutation, which some maids and cooks answered, and went straight to the winery. Maris arched her brow at the man’s familiarity with the place and wondered if he was one of the young men at the Skylian court.

He grabbed a bottle, inspected it and then bit on the cork before pulling it off. He took a swig and approved of the taste with a hoot before locking eyes with her.

Maris tensed and straightened as the red-haired man blatantly stared at her. His face was a contortion of bewilderment and curiosity. She noticed him eyeing her hair.

As he walked towards her, Maris’s heart quickening with nervousness. Was he going to kick her out? He looked like he was in charge.

“A Sealian inside Oberon?”

The man was tall, tall enough to make Maris take a step back and bump into the wall. She tilted her chin to her chest in a subtle bow. “I am waiting for a friend.”

“Oh?” The man looked behind him and shrugged. “Who?”

“Melvian. She is a maid here.”

“Are you a new hire?”

Maris opened her mouth, unaware of what to say. Was she a new hire or not? “I guess?”

“Wow, Queen Rionach is really getting soft with your people. A Sealian. So, what will you do? Kitchen? Cleaning? Chambermaid?” he asked, moving closer to her.

A sudden shift of emotions made her frown. She felt calm, safe, and for some reason oddly attracted to the man. His red hair and orange stubble were somehow appealing.

What the actual fuck?

“Are you all right?” He grinned, a perfect welcoming smile that drew Maris’s stare to his lips.

“Maris!”

Oh, praise Ouranos. Maris released a breath, shook off the strange daze, and turned to Melvian.

“Sir Kayden,” Melvian greeted, bowing her head low.

Maris made a mental note on the name. Sir Kayden. He must be royalty.

“I can’t find the headmistress. I think she is out and about…” Melvian whispered to Maris but by the way the strange man chuckled, it seemed he’d heard her too.

“Ah. I see.” Kayden nodded, taking another swig of the wine bottle. “What’s your name?”

Maris shot Melvian a glare before answering. “Maris.”

“Looking for a job at the castle, Maris?”

Maris nodded at the same time as Melvian.

“I was just about to meet the queen for some dinner. I can take you to her, if she is in a good mood, she can hire you right on the spot. The gods know they need all the help they can get,” Kayden said as he waved his hand around the busy kitchen.

Melvian’s eyes grew wide, her hand slipping to grab Maris and squeezing it tightly. “You would do that, Sir Kayden?”

“Of course!”

“Maris. You must go with Sir Kayden. I am sure he will help you more than I can.”

“Melvian…” Maris hissed a warning before looking at the grinning, fiery red-haired man. “Are you sure?”

“You will be fine. Trust me.” Turning to Kayden, Melvian chuckled awkwardly before pushing Maris towards him. “She is all yours.”