Page 68 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“I am unfamiliar with the people of Carolina, but if they must reap these, I pity them.”

Terra laughed.

“No, a Carolina Reaper is a kind of pepper. Supposedly one of the hottest on Earth.”

The big Monstrum looked thoughtful.

“Then perhaps it is comparable.”

The vendor, who had been listening to them, selected one of the smaller pods using a pair of thick leaf-like tongs.

“If your woman wishes to taste it, I can prepare a safe portion.”

“I didn't say I wanted to taste it,” Terra said quickly. “I was just curious about how hot it is. But that doesn’t mean I want to set my mouth on fire.”

Taurex nodded approvingly.

“A wise choice.”

Which, of course, immediately made Terra want to prove she wasn’t a coward.

“Oh, come on,” she said, frowning. “How bad could it be?”

The green-scaled vendor was openly amused now.

“I can dilute a tiny amount with moora cream,” he offered. “That way you can taste the heat without any lingering effects.”

Terra looked at the little red, gold-tipped pepper again and nodded.

“Fine. I’ll try it.”

Taurex sighed.

“Terra—”

“It’s food. I’m not jumping off a cliff,” she said, smiling.

“True–I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” he murmured. “I promised to protect you–remember?”

“I remember, but this is just a little sample–I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “I promise you, I’m used to spicy food.”

“Listen to the lady–let her try the delicious heat of the skarra pods,” the vendor said.

He sliced the smallest sliver imaginable from one of the red pods and placed it on a flat green leaf, then poured a dollop of thick white cream over it.

“Here you are, my lady,” he said, handing it over. “The leaf is edible too and helps to quench the heat, as the cream does.”

Before she could change her mind, Terra picked up the leaf and popped the entire thing into her mouth.

At first, all she tasted was sweetness…then came a warm, smoky flavor that spread over her tongue. It reminded her a little of barbeque sauce.

“Hey, this isn’t so bad,” she remarked, swallowing. “It’s really just–”

But before she could finish her thought, fire exploded across her tongue!

“Oh my God!” she gasped, fanning her tongue.

Taurex was beside her at once.