Graveyard Watchman (Book 2) The Demon Wars

Chapter 10

I slowly pull myself back up as Victoria fluffs the stacked pillows behind me, "that is better," she says, smiling down at me, "now, how do you take your tea?"

My hand instantly shoots up before she can go any further, "I can do it, Victoria, thanks."

The surprised look on her face is almost laughable. I don't think anyone has ever stopped her from serving. Is this all there is for her? Does she or maybe, is she allowed to do anything else?

Now, I just want to know.

"So, have you always been a Follower?" I ask, trying to be as nonchalant as I can as her eyes instantly glance up at me.

"Yes. Always," she hesitates for a second, "why do you ask, your Highness?"

"Curious, I guess," my eyes stay on hers, "I hope that's okay."

"Certainly your Majesty," she places a napkin and spoon next to my still steaming bowl of chicken soup, "I hope you enjoy. I made it myself," her face brightens up.

Now we're getting somewhere.

"So, you're a cook, too?"

"Yes," she places a small sleeve of saltines next to the bowl, "Actually, I finished culinary school years ago," she grins and looks away like she's remembering something,"Cooking has always been my passion, and I was grateful when the Council appointed me to head chef," her face tilts as if she's calculating the numbers, "Almost thirty years ago."

Good Lord, I keep forgetting how old everyone is around here.

"Thirty years? Wow, that's a long time," I acknowledge, "you must be amazing in the kitchen."

She shrugs slightly, like she's being humble about it, "I can hold my own."

Suddenly, a question pops in my head and I blurt it out before I can stop myself, "Do you cook Dominic's food, too?"

"Everyday," she says, matter-of-factly, "well, when he is not fasting, of course."

My eyes automatically dart to hers, "wait, he's fasting, too?"

"Yes," she hesitates for a second, "I mean, he will drink water--and I will be serving him a small bowl of broth every evening at 6pm."

"You get to see him?" my voice cracks as I blurt my words out again and suddenly, I'm jealous of her a second time.

Victoria simply nods and I can tell she's starting to get uncomfortable. I don't want our conversation to end so I try to stuff my emotion down a little more, "I'm glad he's not just getting water," I quickly get out and smile, "It must be reassuring to check on him."

"Yes," she whispers, her eyes shift around the room before returning back to mine as if she's revealing a secret, "He does not know it, but I add protein to his broth."

That's my girl...

I'm not sure if it's the relieved look on my face or something else, but she giggles a little, "In case you have not noticed, Dominic needs more than simple liquids to sustain himself."

"Yeah, he eats like a freaking horse," I laugh and it feels good to break the tension I've created in my own head.

"You have no idea," she laughs again but then her expression suddenly changes and her eyes drift away, "However, the moment I enter that quiet, candle lit chapel, and place a tray next to his kneeling body, I cannot help but wonder how much pain he is enduring."

"Oh..." I get out before Victoria continues.

"Dominic is a man of true honor and the grief I know he feels will take more than a just few days."