Page 42 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

Don’t blush. I couldn’t help it. Why did he look at me that way? It was as if he couldn’t get enough of me.

He wore a matching blue suit, and I noticed a sword hanging from his belt. “I apologize I can’t help with the riddle again today,” he said. “But tomorrow we can visit the kingdom and continue solving it.”

Swift as a shark cutting through the water, Keanu took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I will be back before dinner though I promise. I would love to escort you and eat together tonight.”

I was breathless. Why did he do this to me? It was wildly unfair. He then planted a kiss on my forehead, making my head reel with every emotion.

“I look forward to seeing you later.” Then he was gone, leaving me standing in the bedroom, my emotions as tangled as a fisherman’s net on a bad day.

CHAPTER TWELVE

EIGHTEEN DAYS LEFT

The next morning, while Keanu was gone on his run or swim, I went to the kitchen. The cooks and servants looked a little nervous to see me, but I quickly eased any of their fears.

“I’m not here to ask you to change anything.” I smiled. “Everything you make is absolutely delicious. My cooking could never compare.” They beamed with pride. “But I am asking if you could make something to share.”

I looked around at the kitchen, so spacious and full of ingredients… something I had never dreamed of. How could so much wealth exist in one place?

“Keanu and I are visiting the widows today, so I was wondering if you could prepare little baskets to give them.” I offered ideas of what to put in them: ingredients, treats, fresh fruit and vegetables.

“It would be our pleasure,” said the head cook. And they seemed genuinely excited to get started. I left in haste to find additional items I wanted to add to the baskets: books. Were the children of the kingdom educated? Could they read? Fortunately, I learned from the missionaries. Did the children here do the same?

While I flipped through a children’s book in the library, hands found my waist.

I jumped and gasped. “Keanu! You scared me!”

He laughed but didn’t release his hold on my waist when I turned around to face him. “You are as stunning as the ocean waves in the morning light,” he said and drew closer. “I’m looking forward to today, Oliana. I passed the kitchen and heard them singing and laughing as they prepared those baskets you asked them to. You are becoming a great queen with each passing day.”

Each passing day. That reminded me of how quickly time was flying.

“Were you looking for clues to help solve the riddle?” Keanu asked, taking the book from my hands. Our fingers brushed, making them tingle. I was being ridiculous again.

“I was actually looking for books that the families could have.” A blush crept up my cheeks. “I mean… I now realize what a foolish thing that is. These are not my books, so I have no right to give them away.” I couldn’t look him in the eye. “And books are expensive. I had never afforded books myself…”

“Oliana.” Keanu lifted my chin. “Everything in this palace is yours.” He grinned. “I’m yours.”

“Keanu–”

“I mean it. Say the word and I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”

“Come on, that’s ridiculous–” He reached past me and pulled out more children’s books, leaving my heart pounding louder than a hula drum.

“Here,” he said. “We’ll start with these. If we need more, we can always come back.”

“We really don’t need to give them away.”

“Don’t worry Oliana. Our future children will have more than enough books in this library to read.” He winked.

My face felt fiery like lava.

Our future children?

“Come on.” He smiled as he carried the books in one arm and took my hand with his free hand. He made me speechless. Always. But when he did, it was because he introduced something I didn’t dare think of. No, something I didn’t dare dream of.

With a wagon full of baskets and books, we headed out together, our guards and entourage on horseback beside us. Our first stop was at Kiki and mother’s home, where they happily climbed into the wagon to join us.

Peter rode on horseback, occasionally riding close to the wagon to speak with Kiki. Malakai was more reserved, keeping an eye on his cousin to ensure his safety.