I returned my focus to Ziggy, and he grimaced. No, smiled. He had a face only his mother could love. They all did. “Did he go out hunting for the pixie again?”
“He doesn’t share those things with me. I’m but a cook.”
I crossed my arms. “Well, you all look tired, Ziggy.”
“We are, milady. Between hunting and preparing food yesterday, we haven’t caught up on our rest. That’s why we left the dishes for today.”
“This dirt is not from one day.”
Crestfallen, he said, “We will do better.”
Gripping his shoulders, I turned him around. “Go to bed. I can handle breakfast.”
“Milady!” He dipped out of my grip and backed away from me. “This is our duty.”
“Ziggy, you might as well get used to seeing me in this kitchen. Starting now.”
“But—”
“No buts.” I called to the others. “Come finish your chores.”
They scurried inside and got to work finishing what I had started.
“And you.” I looked at Ziggy. “Let’s make some French toast.”
Curiosity got the best of him. “French toast. Sounds strange.”
“And pizza didn’t?”
He laughed revealing blackened teeth. “That was stranger.”
I explained what it was, and he grew animated. “Sweet wheat! I know what that is and can prepare it quickly.”
“Sweet wheat,” I murmured, and he nodded. “Makes more sense than French toast.”
“Indeed. Now, please, go.”
“Fine. I’ll wait for breakfast at the table.”
As the door closed behind me, I smiled when he sighed with relief, “Finally.”
It didn’t take long for Ziggy to appear with a plate of sweet wheat topped with what resembled plump blueberries. Once again, he waited for me to take a bite. I scooped some into my mouth and froze. It had a slightly different texture but melted on my tongue, and the berries were to die for. I hummed, and he clapped his hands.
With a bow, he said, “Enjoy.”
“Oh, I will,” I said around a mouthful.
I couldn’t eat it fast enough. Every bite elicited a moan. Ziggy’s chuckles floated in from the kitchen every time. I took the last bite and felt sad there wasn’t more. A second of contemplation was all it took. I lifted the plate and started licking it clean, giggling when the sticky syrup got all over my face. I didn’t care. I wanted more.
That’s how Astaroth found me. Tongue out, spinning the plate to get every last drop.
Astaroth
“Another one cast over,” I said to Mergle after we tucked her safely away in a locked room. The woman couldn’t get away from me quick enough.
“I expected it to happen much sooner after….” His unspoken words hung in the air as we walked away from the guards we stationed at her door.
Calista didn’t need to see her or raise questions as to how she got here or why. Not yet. Adjusting to her new life was difficult enough.
