Page 26 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

D renched in sweat, Ava stood over the large stove in the castle kitchens.

It had been a week or so since she’d completed the obstacle course and her newfound confidence had her excelling each day in her training.

She’d turned a corner and while the grief was still there, she wasn’t ignoring it any longer.

Though it wasn’t always easy, it was helping.

She’d spent hours with Casimir that afternoon sipping tea and talking.

About the war, the upcoming Elderoak journey, the approaching Summer Solstice Ball where Ava would be presented to the kingdom.

They talked about everything. Well, everything except them.

That was something neither of them mentioned, both too stubborn or perhaps scared to acknowledge the elephant in the room.

Ava was covered in flour from rolling out dough as she prepared one of her favorite dishes. After her conversation with Jorrar, something he had said stuck with her. The part about doing something nice for others to heal. It had given her an idea.

So, she had asked her room attendant to introduce her to the kitchen staff and she did, though hesitantly.

The head chef, Derris, had said, “It’s strange for a princess to do the cooking.

” She had to convince him cooking for others was something she did often in the human world, a way to show her love and gratitude, and he agreed to help.

The kitchen was enormous, the vast space almost overwhelming. The walls were made of the same pale stone as the rest of the castle, with large windows allowing in ample amounts of sunlight. She’d been there all day learning how to work the antiquated stoves and ovens, powered by wood and flame.

Then there were the ingredients. Although they had a lot of similar foods in Monterre, so many were new to her she’d spent two hours taste testing the unfamiliar herbs and spices to perfect her menu.

The center stone island behind her was laid out with the prepared dishes, the smell of yeast and spices hovering in the air.

She wanted to make something they never would have tried here.

Something unique to the human world. Settling on ravioli—her favorite meal she used to make with her mother—she hand rolled and cut each piece, filled with a unique cheese and local spices, and smothered in a rich tomato sauce.

She also made a special version of focaccia filled with tomatoes and Monterre’s unique herbs, a fresh salad with homemade dressing, roasted root vegetables, and a lavender cake with sugared fruits and a honey glaze.

“Shall we take it from here, Your Highness?” Derris asked, surveying the spread before her.

“You must be weary.” He was a short gnome, his height only reaching about the level of her chest, and he had a long white beard obscuring the bottom half of his face.

He spoke in a brittle voice full of warmth. “I must say, I’m impressed.”

“Thank you.” Most everything was finished, and the staff had promised to keep it warm while she washed up. “I’ll meet you back here in half an hour. ”

He shook his head. “Oh no, Your Highness. We’ll serve the food. You must wait in the dining hall with the king.”

She looked at him with pleading eyes. “Please. I know it’s not your usual procedure, but I’d like to help bring it out.”

He huffed, but she caught a hint of a smile under his white mustache. “Oh, alright. Off with you now.”

She left the kitchen and rushed down the halls, trying to get to her suite and back to the kitchen before anyone saw. Rounding a corner, she almost slipped and slammed into Casimir.

“Slow down,” he said as he caught her arm to keep her steady. He tilted his head at her disorderly appearance. “Why are you covered in food?”

She pulled away and smirked at him before taking off down the hallway again, shouting after her, “No time to talk. See you at dinner!”

A rumble of his laughter echoed as she closed the door to their suite.

Back in the kitchen, Ava carried the salad as she followed the staff out the side door entering the dining room.

What if they didn’t like it? What if they judged her for taking over Derris’ duties?

Was that disrespectful? She blew out a breath as she stepped into the large space, conversation ceasing when they saw her emerge.

Everyone was present, including Kai and Fanya, and they watched her with confusion as she walked in with the kitchen staff.

Derris stopped before the table, and Ava stood next to him, waiting.

She caught Casimir’s eye, and he was looking at her with a hint of amusement, likely having figured out what she’d been up to after their run-in earlier .

“Your Majesty,” Derris addressed the king. “Her Highness has something she would like to say.”

She went rigid. “I do?” she whispered to Derris, glancing at him.

“Yes.” He looked at her, ochre eyes bright with joy. “Go on,” he urged.

Clearing her throat, she looked around the table and caught Raine on the verge of laughing. “I…um…I made dinner.”

Thorne raised his eyebrows. “You did? By yourself?”

“Uh—” she began, but was cut off by Derris.

“She did everything, Your Majesty. We just followed her instructions if she needed help.”

Everyone turned back to her, waiting for her to finish. “I made dinner for all of you.” Her hands shook and she pleaded with herself not to drop the dish. “To show my appreciation.”

Thorne grinned widely. “Thank you, Ava. Now why don’t you sit before you pass out?”

“Yep.” She nodded and leaned over the table, setting her dish in the middle.

She walked to her usual spot next to Thorne and across from Casimir and lowered into her seat beneath the glow of the chandelier.

“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Raine said.

“If I do, I’ll make sure to do it in your wine,” she replied, batting her eyelashes.

The rest of the food was brought in and laid before them.

“I take it you don’t like talking in front of groups?” Quinn asked.

Ava shook her head. “I hate it.”

“You did it in Saxumdale,” Raine said.

“And I hated it then, too.”

Jorrar chuckled. “Well, you’d best get used to it. It won’t be the last time you have to address a group. Besides, you’re being presented at the Solstice Ball soon. That will be a large audience.”

“Don’t remind me,” she mumbled as she sipped her wine.

Raine turned to her, about to say something when he noticed her outfit. The dress was full of greens and browns, with multiple skirt layers and embroidered flowers throughout. It was the one Raine had picked out when he took her on a tour of the city.

“You’re wearing my dress, dainty human!”

“It looks much better on me.” She winked, giggling as she glanced at Casimir who had barely been able to take his eyes off her since she walked into the room.

“I think Cas likes it,” Raine whispered.

She blushed and looked away.

Once the food had been laid out, Thorne asked her to explain the dishes. She listed each one, laughing at their attempts to pronounce ‘ravioli’ and ‘focaccia’ since there didn’t seem to be any fae words for these, and waited for them to try it.

“Whoa,” Quinn said as she took a bite of ravioli. “What’s in this? It’s delicious.”

“The outside is a thin dough, and the inside has cheese and other herbs. Then you boil it in water and make a sauce.”

“I love it,” Quinn said, and everyone murmured their agreement.

“It’s alright.” Raine shrugged. She pinched him.

They continued their meal, everyone commenting on how much they enjoyed her ‘human food,’ and Ava warmed at the companionship and kindness hovering around the table.

There was no talk of war, no mention of Deidamia, the Elderoak or their mission to retrieve the book, though she knew they were making plans.

They just enjoyed each other’s company, and something more healed inside her at the laughter; the fellowship; the fondness everyone showed each other. Exactly like at Jorrar’s house.

As they were eating dessert, Raine and Casimir devouring their second piece of cake, Fanya said from across the table in her bubbly voice, “Ava…Quinn and I were thinking about having a little fun after dinner. Would you like to join us?”

“Sure,” she said. “What are we doing?”

Quinn took a sip of wine, giving her a mischievous grin. “Tavern hopping.”

“I want to come!” announced Raine.

“No,” said Quinn. “No fae brutes allowed.”

Raine scowled at her, grumbling.

“That sounds amazing. Yes,” Ava said.

“Do you know what tavern hopping is?” Fanya asked.

“We call them pub crawls, but I think it’s the same concept.”

Jorrar and Kai rose, saying their goodbyes before heading back to their house for the night, clearly not interested in partying with the rest of them.

“Well, I say we have a fae brutes night,” Raine looked at Casimir and Thorne.

“What the fuck is a fae brutes night?” Quinn asked.

“It’s where we get drunk and sword fight,” said Raine.

Fanya frowned at her brother. “That sounds dangerous.”

“That sounds sexual,” Ava whispered to herself, already tipsy from the wine.

“Well, I’m not opposed to that either…” Raine started.

“No,” said Thorne and Casimir in unison.

“Fine, fine.” Raine waved his hand. “I’ll find someone to play with my sword later.”

Quinn rolled her eyes and rose, grabbing Ava’s hand. “Time to go,” she said as Fanya followed suit. “Goodbye,” Quinn said as they made it to the door. “Enjoy your orgy.”

A bark of Raine’s laughter echoed as they disappeared down the hallway.

Two hours later, they found themselves huddled in the corner of their third pub, taking shots of whiskey. It was a dark space. Warm wood surrounded them with flickering lanterns along the wall.

“And then,” Fanya continued her story, “he kissed me.”

“Who?” asked Ava, head fuzzy. “Wait…what’re we talking about again?”

“Ava.” Quinn slapped her arm. “Pay attention…Pax.”

Ava squinted her eyes at Quinn across the table. “Pax! I love Pax,” she drawled. “We fought on the ship…he’s strong…and scary…”

Fanya giggled. “We know. You already said that.”