My Mate Can't be a Bird! (I swear I'm not into that kind of stuff)

10: The Kitchen

Calaena

"Ever work in a kitchen?" Emrys asked her.

"No," Calaena said, "but I'll do my best."

"It's absolutely horrible," Luca chirped somewhere behind her. Then he noticed the nasty look Emrys had sent his way. "But the company's good!"

"Get back to work, you," Emrys merely told him.

While Luca sniffed and complained about chopping onions, Calaena took some time to observe her surroundings. There was a spiral staircase with large cupboards on either side; a roaring fireplace which warmed every corner of the room; and on the mantle were nine figurines—gods and goddesses. Calaena shuddered and looked away.

"Good Mother, what happened?"

Emrys was staring at her hands—her scarred hands.

Calaena attempted a grin and wiggled her fingers at him. "Already mangled and broken, so you won't see me crying over broken nails. Give me whatever work you have."

That was a mistake.

Calaena had never peeled so many potatoes in her entire life, or used such a dull knife since she'd first started training ten years ago.

Then came the madness. What seemed to be hundreds of people rushed into the kitchen in groups of three or more, all ravenous as dogs. They took potatoes, toast, bread, jam, and whatever they could get their hands on. Then more people came! It was a suffocating experience, and she was very glad, though hungry, when breakfast was over.

Then the washing started. Luca dragged a the large cauldron over to the sink and proceeded to wash it. Calaena moved to help, then paused as her stomach rumbled. Luca laughed and told her to eat first, which she proceeded to do rather happily.

Emrys's cooking was heavenly, and Calaena felt utterly entranced to the point that she hardly knew how much she'd eaten. When she felt full at last, she looked up from the clean plate to discover Emrys and Luca staring at her with disbelief.

"What?"

Emrys shook his head, smiling. "Nothing. I'm glad you liked my food."

"It was heavenly," Calaena said with complete honesty.

"Thank you." Emrys clapped his hands. "Now for the washing!"

As Calaena washed the countless dished and plates, she could only observe the conversation and chatter between the cook and his adopted son. She knew they'd never treat her this well if they knew all the things she'd done.

And she also knew one thing. She had tried to shut Rowan out and somehow ended up caring for him anyway. But now, it was time to stop moping over some boy and move on with her life. She had to find the Weydkeys and avenge Nehemia. Then kill the King. A heavry grief settled in her heart at the thought of her dead friend. Right, the wrydkeys...her shoulders already felt heavy with the thought.

A/N: A short chapter full of fluff, because we all need some fluff in our lives :) Some of the dialogue was taken from HoF. The end ending is pretty close, and I'm thinking of making a new summary for this story. Any suggestions?

Also thank you for 1K reads! <3 I didn't think more than a few people would read this when I first started. Also, my story's #18 on the Throneofglass tag omg! (Edit: now its #12 O.o)

Please vote if you liked this chapter and comment your ideas for the synopsis!