I eat my own, leaning back in my seat and trying to ignore the loud chatter in the room and the scrape of spoons against the plates. I glance at the large clock on the wall, wishing the minutes would tick by faster until it's an acceptable time for me to disappear and not come back to dinner.
Chapter 6
I'm both nervous and excited to be heading down to the kitchen to bake with Nate for the first time in five years. I've been baking on my own since he left, and it's going to be strange to share a kitchen, even if it's with him. Ember is perched on my shoulder with her tail around my neck. I don't love the way it brushes against my skin, but she'll be on top of the oven in a few minutes, and then it won't be my issue.
Several members of the kitchen staff nod to me as I make my way through the main room and into the small kitchen I use for baking. I pause in the doorway, watching as Nate rolls out some dough with a heavy-looking rolling pin. His sleeves are pushed up, revealing arms that are much more muscular than I remember. Maybe that's what's changed about him.
Ember lets out a screech, stretching her neck out to examine what's going on.
Nate looks up, a smile spreading over his face. "You're looking a little indignant, Ember."
Her tail tightens around my neck as she tenses.
"Hey, that hurts," I murmur.
"Maybe she doesn't like having someone else in her kitchen," Nate says.
"She knows you," I protest. "You were here when she was born."
"She only knew me for a week," he points out. "There's a good chance she's forgotten me."
My heart aches at the reminder of how much time we've missed together.
"Then we should have introductions. Nate, this is Ember. She's a Green Oak Dragon who likes to try and climb into the wood-fired oven."
He chuckles. "Not the gas one?"
"She's never tried."
"Interesting," he says.
"Ember, this is Nate. He's the best baker I know."
"That might not be true any more," he says.
"Have you gotten worse at baking since you left?" I ask, still lingering in the doorway. "That would seem like a waste of an apprenticeship."
He chuckles. "I've learned a lot."
"Including how to make croissants."
"Yes. I was working on the dough just now. I need them to be ready in case Graaf Van Bergdal arrives tomorrow morning. He likes to break his morning fast with them."
"Can I watch?" I ask.
Nate raises an eyebrow. "I don't think I've ever known you just want to watch when it comes to baking."
A part of me doesn't want to admit my failings, even to Nate, but it's the only way I'm going to get better. "I've been struggling with them," I admit.
"Why didn't you say anything in your letters?" he asks.
"I wanted to figure it out before you came back." I make my way past him and over to the wood-fired oven so that Ember can take her place on the dragon bed. She hesitates for a moment, confusing me a little. "What's wrong?"
"Maybe she's being protective of you?" Nate suggests. "I'm a stranger in your space, maybe she doesn't like that."
"You're not a stranger." My voice cracks.
There's a sad expression on Nate's face. "I am to Ember."
