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Yesenia added, "And you wouldn't meet with him alone. One or both of us would be there too. And since Stone's basically a vampire despite his mixed heritage, he can't lie without some discomfort, even if it's not as extreme as a full-blooded vamp. So there's that."
Even though it could end up being really stupid, she had to admit she was curious about this silent, sexy Stone guy.
Before she could talk some sense into her head—until she knew she was safe and not being fed a lot of crap about being in the past—her stomach rumbled. Loudly. She eyed the tray River had brought in, but all she saw were slightly burnt bread rolls, a teapot, and some jam in a little bowl.
If shewerea prisoner, that would be the kind of junk they'd give her.
However, she now had an idea of how to test her boundaries. Besides, more than making plans, being in a kitchen would calm her down more. "I'll meet him if I can bake some real bread or food in the kitchen at the same time." She paused, but her magic wasn't going to be a secret for long, so she added, "My magic lets me improve the taste of anything organic, even better if I make it myself. And that bread just looks really sad. Do you actually eat that charcoal?"
River grimaced. "The cook is new, and not the best, I'll admit. I may not live here anymore—thank fuck—but I visit with my wife often enough that I know how shitty the food is."
Right, a purpose."Then let me whip something up."
Yesenia smiled. "Sounds like a plan. And if you need to use the bathroom, we can swing by one of the flushing toilets. They aren't in every room, and I know it's one of the things I would miss the most about being in the past, if I didn't have it."
Reika hadn't even thought of that. Toilets were just there, because just about everyone had one. At least in Canada.
Each new revelation only cemented she was in the past. But she wasn't going to accept it just yet.
She tested out her legs and managed to stay upright. "Yeah, the toilet sounds good and then straight to the kitchen." She gestured toward the really sad-looking roll. "Don't let any paranormal or human eat that thing either."
River snorted, but Yesenia ignored him. She moved to the door and opened it. "Come on, then. The kitchen for the family is the same one used for the gaming hell, and it's in the sort of basement area of the building."
She frowned. "Gaming what?"
"Gaming hell. It's what they call casinos here. With time, you'll probably end up with a list of all the words and phrases they use in 1890 versus back home. I nearly have a notebook full by this point."
And as Yesenia rambled about terms, and language, and nothing of importance, her voice soothed Reika a little. But it wasn't until she stepped inside the giant kitchen that two things happened.
One, the sights, sounds, and smells of cooking fed her soul.
And two, judging by the oven and other things in the kitchen, it wasn't up to 2003 standards.
River stated, "I'll get Stone while you get started. The sooner he stops glaring at everyone, the better."
Reika barely noted the male leave. No, she couldn't stop staring at the oven.
It was some sort of metal—cast iron?—thing, long, with several metal doors that swung to the side on the bottom half. A grate in the middle showed the bright orange and red heat of coal. The surface had a few pots on it, with at least one boiling.
No sign of a gas or electric oven. No refrigerator, either, let alone a dishwasher. Just lots of tables, a really big sink with running water, copper pans hanging on the walls, and lots of shelves full of dishes and jars. A few lights overhead were the only electrical-type thing in sight.
It was like a kitchen from some period drama or something.
Yesenia squeezed her shoulder. "Welcome to 1890, where cast iron coal stoves are the thing and everything, I mean everything, is washed by hand."
Even if this was the past—it looked more and more like it was—Reika wouldn't let something like a weird coal stove stop her.
No, cooking and using her magic would give her strength, settle her nerves, and give her something edible. A full belly always helped make things better.
Standing tall, she gestured toward the stove. "Then someone had better show me how to use it."
And soon enough she was looking through the pantry, finding the necessary dishes, and doing everything she could to focus on cooking instead of everything that was missing from a modern-day kitchen.
ChapterFour
Stone strode toward the kitchen, uncaring if River kept up with him or not.
His fated bride was awake and willing to see him.
