“It’s bramble berry,” he said with a wink. “I try not to play favorites with my baked goods, but this flavor might be my favorite.” His mouth immediately pulled into a grimace. “Not that the other flavors aren’t delectable, and I am partial to the brown butter brickle crunch. See? This is why I shouldn’t play favorites.”
She accepted the plate with a smile. “I won’t tell the cake if you won’t.”
The halfling baker giggled, shooting a nervous look toward the cake tableand rocking forward on the balls of his feet, although that still only brought him to her shoulders. “If you want, I can wrap up some of the other flavors for you to take with you on your journey.”
Cali took a bite of the cake, her eyelids fluttering for a moment at the burst of berry flavor. “Mmmflgrm.” She swallowed and brushed stray crumbs from her whiskers. “Unfortunately, I don’t think cake would travel well in my knapsack.”
Pip’s smile dimmed, and he tapped one stubby finger on his chin. “No, no. You’re right. It would end up a bundle of crumbs.”
“Which would be a crime.” Not that Cali wouldn’t shamelessly eat a bundle of crumbs. Crumbs baked by Pip were still top-tier crumbs.
“What you need are some portable pastries,” Pip said, nodding to himself as much as to her. “Cookies would work. Scones too. Perhaps some of Lira’s hand pies, but not meat versions that could leak everywhere.”
Cali laughed at the little baker’s furtive expression. “Don’t worry about sending me off with a portable patisserie. I’m sure there will be food on the pirate ship.”
Pip sucked in a breath. “Bless my stars and bite your tongue!” Then he lowered his voice and darted a look over his shoulder. “Pirate ships are not known for their cuisine, dear. And never let it be said that Pip Brambleheart sent a friend off on a journey without proper provisions.”
And by proper provisions, Cali knew he meant baked goods.
The baker pivoted in place and spotted Lira standing by the cake with Korl. “Perfect! I’ll confer with Lira about what we’re sending with you.”
Then he bustled off before Cali could stop him from discussing baking with the bride on her wedding day.
“Need something to wash down that cake?”
Cali turned to see Iris standing behind the bar with a pewter tankard in one hand. The apothecary’s dark curls were pulled half up, and strands of silver glinted in the flickering light of the candles. The claret-colored dress she’d worn as one of Lira’s bridal attendants flattered her, although it was odd not to see the woman in her usual patchwork skirts and multicolored shawls.
“Probably not ale,” Cali said. “I should keep my wits about me for the trip.” She cocked her head. “You know, the trip you volunteered me for.”
Iris had the good sense to look abashed, but she didn’t look away. “You don’t want to go on an adventure with pirates? How many people get to step into the world of their favorite books?” The woman winked at her. “I have half a mind to go with you.”
Cali’s tail swished behind her as she snuck a glance at Vaskel, then back at Iris. “And leave Vask behind?”
Iris’s groan turned into a laugh, and she swatted a hand at the pantheri. “Come on, then.” She beckoned to her with one arm. “If you aren’t drinking ale or apple brandy, I’m sure we can scrounge up some chai in the kitchen.”
Cali followed the woman around the bar and through the swinging half-doors. Since everyone was dancing or drinking in the great room, and all the food had been long since eaten, Cali expected the kitchen to be quiet.
“Sweet, simmering cauldrons,” Iris breathed as she stopped just inside the kitchen, and Cali nearly smacked into the back of her.
Even though the music from the next room was muted, Crumpet the flutterstoat and Bramble the raccoon were dancing on the large wooden worktable. Crumpet held a wooden spoon in one white paw that he waved overhead like a baton, while Bramble swung his own striped tail to the beat of the lute music. There was even a row of birds on the yawning windowsill, bobbing blue-feathered heads in unison.
The oven that typically spewed fragrant steam as it baked meat pies squatted cold and quiet, but there was one pot bubbling onthe stovetop. Cali took a deep breath and recognized the heady cinnamon aroma of Lira’s chai.
When the swinging doors creaked as they swung shut behind her, all the animals froze. They turned small heads toward Iris and Cali, then the birds let out a series of alarmed chirps and took flight, as Crumpet’s wooden spoon clattered to the table. Bramble stopped swinging his tail and draped it across his eyes, perhaps thinking that if he couldn’t see them, they wouldn’t be able to see him.
“As you were,” Iris said, her voice thick with amusement. “Don’t let us stop your fun.”
Crumpet squared his tiny shoulders, chattered something as he retrieved his spoon, and gave the chai in the pot a stir.
Cali grabbed an earthenware mug from a nearby shelf and tried to pretend they hadn’t just walked in on a woodland creatures dance party. “I came in for some chai. I’m glad you have a pot going.”
Crumpet’s chittering became less indignant as he tipped the contents of the pot into Cali’s mug, and Bramble peeked from beneath the fluff of his tail.
“Thanks.” Cali took a sip of the warm, spicy drink and sighed. “This is exactly what I needed.”
The half-doors flew open again and Sass strode in, stopping short when she saw them. “There you are.” Her eyes landed on Cali. “I was afraid you might have snuck out to pack.”
Pack. Cali hadn’t even thought about packing, aside from determining that taking wedding cake wouldn’t be advisable.
