Page 28

The Chelli didn't just use their magic to summon jewels from the soil. They also were farmers and grew the best vegetables, fruit, and grains on Serai. And they used their harvests to make great food. The Chelli neighborhood, known as the Harvest District, was a place of wonderful aromas that wafted from restaurants, bakeries, and food carts.

“A bakery!” I pointed at a shop. “It even looks similar.”

“There are only so many ways to display food items,” Kaspian said. “Some of those cabinets are examples of our advancements, Mate. That one there, with the cakes and custards, is a type of cold cabinet.”

“Do they have coffee?”

Kaspian's face fell. “No. We don't have a beverage like that here. I think there is something similar in Zaru. Maybe some of the other kingdoms. I will speak to the castle steward and have him import the beverage.”

“Ask him to import the beans. It's how they're transported. You don't grind coffee beans until you're ready to brew the drink. Brewed coffee is only good until it gets cold.”

“Really?”

“Yes, although some people prefer to drink it cold.” I made a disgusted face. “I am not one of those heathens.”

Kaspian looked from me to the bakery. “Are you hungry, my not-heathen?”

“Always!”

“Good. I'd like to share some of our delicacies with you.” He waved at the door. “You gave me such wondrous delights on your world.”

“Oh, I know I did.” I smirked at him.

“I don't think you're referring to food.”

One of the knights opened the door before I could and went inside first. He did a circuit of the shop, then took a position near the entrance. A couple of customers with baskets full of baked goods stopped to stare at us. Then they hastily bowed.

“Good day.” Kaspian nodded at them.

“Good day, Your Majesty!” came the swift replies.

“Your Majesty!” A Chelli man who somehow stood higher than the display cases came rushing toward us from behind them. As he got to the end of the length of pastry-filled glass, I saw that there was a ledge running the length of the cabinets. He jumped down and bowed. “Thank you for coming in today! Whatever you wish is yours, free of charge.”

“Thank you. That is very kind.” Kaspian eased me toward the cases. “This is my mate. He is from another world.”

“Yes, Sire! We've heard the glorious news. Congratulations. And how wondrous to be blessed with such a rare mate.”

“Thank you. I agree, and I'm very grateful to Ensarena. The Dragon Goddess herself took me to fetch him from his world.”

“Amazing! Simply amazing.” He bowed to me. “It's an honor to serve you, Your Grace. I hope my baking pleases you.”

“Thank you. It smells wonderful,” I said.

Kaspian put a hand on my back. “I'd like for him to sample the best baked goods my kingdom has to offer.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.” The Chelli man bowed again. “I wouldn't consider my goods to be the best, but I will gladly suggest my most popular items.”

“We will take whatever you think is most delicious. Oh, and I prefer the wyver cake. So, I'll have a slice of that.”

“Oh, a good choice, Sire. Yes, right away.” He climbed back up on his ledge and waved at a table near the window. “Please, have a seat while I make a plate for you. Would you like some tea as well?”

“Yes, thank you.” Kaspian waved me toward the table. “With honey.”

“You have honey here?” I asked. “Sweet!”

“Yes, it is.”

We sat down while the remaining two knights stood behind our chairs, their stares constantly moving around the shop to the people on the sidewalk outside. Then a sharp cry reminded me that there was one more in our party.

“I don't think you'll like anything in here, cat.” I stroked its head.

“I'm sure we could get some cream for it.” Kaspian scratched its head, then frowned when the cat moved closer to me.

“Cream is bad for cats. At least cats on Earth. They're lactose intolerant.”

“They're intolerant of what?”

“There's something called lactose in dairy products, and cats don't do well with it.” I leaned in to whisper, “They get the squirts.”

“They get the what?!”

“You know—diarrhea. The—”

“Don't say that again,” he cut me off.

I chuckled. “Well, it's not good.”

“No, and you make it even worse.”

“I have savory items as well.” The baker came up to our table with a tray full of plates and two steaming teacups. He unloaded the cups first, then the plates, and set one of them down on the floor. “For the royal kitty.”

Kaspian grinned. “Thank you. He's not ours. He's just been following us around.”

“Ah, but cats are smart, aren't they? We don't claim them. They claim us.” The little man stroked the cat's head.

The animal purred for the baker as if in approval of his wisdom, then set into the selection of cooked meat on the plate.

“I've heard that,” I said. “On my planet, they're the only animal who domesticated themselves.”

The baker laughed as he straightened. “I believe that. They come and go as they please, but they know the value of a free meal and a warm bed.” He waved at the plates. “Please, enjoy. If there's anything you want more of, let me know.”

“Thank you!” I looked at the assortment. “What do you recommend that I start with?”

“Ah. Always start with the sweet!” He pointed at a slice of cake. “The pecarin cake is my favorite. Finish with one of these savories.” He pointed out three pastries. “Then you won't be left wanting more.”

“Oh? Is that the trick of it?” Kaspian lifted a brow.

“Yes, Sire. Sweets awaken the palate and induce cravings while savory food satisfies.” He winked.

“He's right!” I waved a finger at the cake as if it were naughty. “If I eat a piece of chocolate, it leaves me wanting more. But eating bacon won't give me the same urges. In fact, I'll eventually feel sick if I eat too much bacon.”

“And it works both ways,” the baker said. “If you want to eat more, start with the savory. Although, the problem with that is you'll feel full while you continue to want more. No one likes that.” He bowed and went back to his pastry cases where customers were waiting.

“That explains why I'm never satisfied after consuming you,” Kaspian whispered to me.

“Did you just call me sweet in the naughtiest way possible?” I nuzzled his face.

Kas leaned back to meet my stare. “He said it, not me. I merely came to a conclusion, my sweet .”

“Oh, don't blame it on the baker. Not when I'm trying to give you credit for being the real sweet one in our relationship. Which is astounding considering who you are.” I shook my head. “But I love it. Keep it up, Your Majesty. Compliments will get you everywhere.” I picked up a fork, waved it at him like a wand, and then took a bite of the pecarin cake. “Oh! Peaches! This tastes like peaches.”

“I'm sure you'll find many similar flavors here. Although, I've never encountered anything like that cookie at your favorite bakery.”

“Miso,” I said. “It's from Japan. You know, the Neraky look Asian to me. A little. I mean, if you ignore the eye membranes and the scales. Oh, and the claws.”

“And the fact that they're Neraky .”

“Ha-ha.” I sighed and stared down at my cake. “I guess I'm trying to find pieces of home here. But that's silly. This isn't Earth.” I looked up at him. “I've never been to Japan. Or anywhere in Asia. There are so many places on Earth that I didn't get to see.”

“I understand.” Kas nodded. “I've only left Aravult once and it was to see the Dragon God when he was first freed.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I grew up in the Rohvan Enclave, then I became King and moved here. Along with the flight to see Karadas, it's the only traveling I've done.”

“That and going to Earth.”

Kaspian grinned. “Yes, that was my greatest adventure.”

“Greater than meeting your god?”

He stared at me for a moment, then, holding my gaze, said, “Yes.”

That stole my tongue for a bit. I just stared back. Finally, I whispered, “Was that another gift?”

“ You are the gift, Mate.” Before I could respond, he motioned at the baked goods. “Try something else. I want to know which ones you prefer. Then I can ask our chefs to make them for you. I have a Chelli baker on staff.”

“It's a rough job, but for you . . . anything.” I grabbed a fluffy bun covered in a yellow glaze and took a bite. Moaning, I declared, “Oh, fuck me.”

Kaspian burst out laughing. “For you, Mate, anything.”