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Clarke tried unsuccessfully to cut salad ingredients as she sat on a stool at the butcher-block counter. Laurel worked on cocktails. Melody hummed a tune as she stirred a pot of chili. Every now and then, she put her finger in and then licked it. Nova took it as a good sign if Melody couldn’t stop testing.
What Nova loved the most was these women’s friendly acceptance with other fae who often dropped into the house from around the campus. Many sought out Clarke’s advice. Apparently, she had a knack for sensing the truth or seeing through fae glamour.
Two house brownies usually managed the meals and upkeep of the home. They met Nova with obvious distrust, especially since she was taking over their kitchen—their territory. It seemed no one else enjoyed cooking much. Nova had invited them to stay, but they’d declined. Clarke said not to take it personally. The brownies were like that with everyone.
“Here.” Nova grabbed Clarke’s cutting board. “I will finish the salad for you.”
Clarke groaned. “I’m so sorry. I’m the shittiest cook.”
Nova laughed. “I enjoy it. My mama and I would treat our kitchen like a haven from the grumbling men. Of course, Jace never really got the memo. He would always insist he lend a hand. His help usually arrived in the form of taste testing.”
Melody’s finger paused in her mouth. Her eyes widened.
“I swear it was just once,” she said, making them all laugh. “Hand on my heart, I swear. Okay fine. It was a few times, but honestly, Nova, this is the best goddamned tasting chili I’ve ever had.”
“Must be the rich soil,” she replied wistfully. “I used to… never mind.”
“Tell us.”
“You’ll think I was one of those annoying activist people who chained themselves to trees.”
“Okay, now I’m intrigued.” Laurel poured her concoction into four awaiting glasses.
“I flunked high school,” Nova said, focusing on slicing a vegetable similar to a tomato, but without seeds. “Niles was the star, and… anyway, after Jace moved away and took over his father’s company, I decided there was nothing I wanted more than to fight to keep this planet on the right track. I spent many months overseas, clearing up trash from the oceans and trying to build better systems for all our waste. But eventually, I ran out of money and had to return home. I guess my point is that seeing how delicious this food tastes now can only mean the earth is unpolluted. It’s being cared for. That’s all I ever dreamed of.”
“I love hearing that. I can see why the Well likes you.” Laurel handed Nova a cocktail glass, then divided the rest. “Let’s make a toast to—” She closed her mouth and glanced nervously at Nova.
Distrust simmered in the air. She had the sense it was aimed at her. Because of her brother, or who her mate was? Or something else altogether? Rather than stretch the awkwardness, Nova quickly lifted her glass and said, “We should toast to happier times. If the Well has brought so many strong women together like this, our future will be bright.”
They studied Nova as if assessing her authenticity. Paranoia started to build. Why weren’t they saying anything?
“To a brighter future,” Clarke suddenly said and raised her glass. They all clinked their glasses together, but Nova couldn’t shake the feeling of being on the outside.
“This tastes amazing,” she said after her first sip.
“I’m getting pretty good at them.” Laurel blushed. “It takes time to get used to being here. The food can be different. The customs. But it’s worth it.”
Clarke reached across the counter to squeeze Nova’s hand. “Leaf has a good heart, Nova. He’s always tried to do the right thing. Sometimes, he’s a bit of an alpha, but it comes from a good place.”
“He said the same thing about you all,” Nova replied, tears prickling her eyes. “I mean that you are good people. Not the alpha thing. That would be weird. Okay, what’s an alpha?”
“Oh.” Clarke frowned at herself. “It’s a wolf shifter thing. Just another thing to get used to here. Each fae race has different customs.”
Nova sniffed and forced a smile as she took the spoon from Melody. “Okay, time to round up your mates and get yourselves ready. We will dish up in about half an hour.”
“You sure?” Melody hesitated, looking at the chili. “I could take over the salad.”
“Go, please,” she replied. “I like the solitude of a kitchen. It’s like meditating.”
Laurel’s brow rose. “I’d rather go for a run, but whatever floats your boat, babe.”
“The boys can do the dishes,” Melody offered.
The girls were still laughing amongst themselves as they walked out. Once Nova was alone, she let her smile drop. She supposed fitting in would take time. It was hard to convince them she was honest, especially when she had no answer about what her magical talents were, or no solid answers about how she could help defeat her brother. To be honest, she would be suspicious of herself, too.
They’d asked a few questions about Leaf being Jackson Crimson but stayed away from anything too personal. Nova had returned plenty of questions about this place, and they’d been happy to answer. But it was all surface stuff. Hopefully having a weekly meal with them would help close the gap.
She stirred the pot and cast her eyes around the room. The stove was a stone and ceramic appliance that heated with wood fire and mana stones. Herbs hung in bouquets from the archway overhead. Cupboards with plenty of space filled the rest of the room, along with some stools around the butcher block. A dry goods storeroom and a cold room were built into a wall. The kitchen had a nice atmosphere. But it needed a poem in a picture frame.
