I roll my eyes. My siblings can think what they want, and considering that they've told me they thought that Nate and I were more than friends while he lived here, there's very little doubt about what they believe about our relationship. But they're wrong. There's never been anything between us except friendship.
"It's a shame he didn't send anything with your letter this time," Veronica says. "What were those waffle things he sent?"
"Stroopwafels," I respond without thinking.
"They were good," Artie agrees.
"Maybe he'll make them for us when he's here," Veronica says. "Or teach Evie how to make them."
A horrible feeling settles in my stomach at her words. What if Nate doesn't want to bake with me again? I push the thought away as soon as it makes itself known in my mind. Of course he's going to want to bake with me. It's what the two of us have always done together.
"I'm not bothered about the stroopwafels," Artie says. "But I do hope he makes that thing with the elderflower that he used to make."
"Oh, I know the one you mean," Veronica responds. "Dessert has been good, but I can tell he left."
"He didn't leave, he was sent away," I say without thinking.
My sister raises an eyebrow at me.
"I told you when it happened. His father sent him to Gaullesse for an apprenticeship," I say. "He was supposed to come back after a year."
"It's been five."
"And a bit," I murmur. "He's been waiting for a job to open up here, but there hasn't been one yet."
"Ah, so that's how he ended up in Wafeland working for our cousins," Artie says.
I nod. "He got a good job there." But I wish he'd been able to come back sooner. I look at the letter in my hand, trying to fully process the news that Nate is coming back to Falhaven now. I know he's only going to be visiting for as long as my cousins are here, but it's more than I've seen him in the past five years, and I can't wait.
I'm going to have to make sure there's plenty of time for the two of us to bake together, not to mention reintroducing him to Ember. He was there the day she hatched, but hasn't seen her since she was a week old.
Maybe he'll even be able to help me with my croissant-making skills. He sent me the recipe in the first place, so I have to assume he knows what he's doing when it comes to making them.
But it isn't just his baking that I'm looking forward to. I want to see my best friend again, the one person who really understands me.
Chapter 3
I dangle a cube of meat on a stick in front of Ember, and she watches it with intent eyes. She pulls her head back, and a stream of bright orange flame spouts from her mouth, hitting the dangling piece of meat and turning it almost black. She chirps, spreading her wings and making the light glint off her green scales.
"You're able to get it yourself," I point out. "You don't need me to do it for you."
For a moment, I don't think she's going to listen to me, but then she moves in and chomps down on a piece closest to her. She shakes her head from left to right, using her sharp teeth to pull it apart.
There's a soft plop as the rest of it falls off the hook at the end of my stick and onto the floor.
"You're going to have to clean that up," I tell my dragon, even though I know that she will. Mostly because she doesn't want to waste good meat.
The door to my receiving room opens, and my private secretary walks in. Her dark hair is pulled back from her face, and she wears a livery that matches that of all the other royal servants. Something about her always makes me think that she's a lot older than me, even if she's not.
"Your Highness," she says with a bow of her head.
"Good afternoon, Marion," I respond, setting down Ember's toy.
My dragon seems to realise that playtime is over, and grabs the remaining piece of meat in her jaw. She flaps her wings and flies over to the fireplace, where a small fire is crackling.
A moment later, the door opens again, and one of the maids brings in a tea tray with some biscuits, setting it down on the table in front of my chair. I gesture for Marion to sit with me, and wait until the maid has poured tea for the two of us before dismissing her.
I'm not sure why so much of what we do has to stand on such ceremony, but I've learned to accept it over the years. Some things aren't going to be changed just because I don't think they make much sense.
