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“She won’t understand how to cook the meal or what ingredients to use,” I pointed out.
“I’m well aware of that as well.” She scowled. “This is a test. I do not make the rules. I just—”
“Do your best to set an impossible task.”
“Grunter.” Warning came through in her voice, telling me not to test her.
I remained standing, glaring at her.
My father rose and stepped between us. “Please, do not battle each other. Our lovely new daughter-in-law is preparing a glorious meal for us, and we will enjoy it no matter how it is prepared.” He nudged my arm to show support.
Mom huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “We shall see. I will be the judge.”
“No,” Father said, warning coming through in his voice. “We shall be the judges, not just you.”
“It’s tradition for . . .” Scowling, Mother trailed off.
“Yes, it’s tradition for the family to test the new daughter or son. The family, not one individual. I’ve allowed you to run most of this because traditions matter more to you than me, but in this, I will have my say.”
I wanted to cheer. My father rarely stood up to my mother, and I appreciated him stepping up now.
Mother huffed again, her face darkening, but she said nothing.
“Now, shall we have drinks while we wait?” Father strode over to the cabinet holding various orc wines and liquors.
“I’ll have a small glass of pressire.” I joined him, lowering my voice. “Thanks, Dad.”
He nudged my arm again. “Of course, son. I adore Kassia already. These tests . . .” He poured pressire into three glasses. “You know your mother. Traditions are everything to her.”
“It’s that way for many orcs.” I sighed. “I’d hoped she’d welcome a new daughter without putting her to the tests.”
“It’s nearly over, and I’m confident our Kassia will do well. Your mother will be satisfied, and we can move on from this, celebrating a possible orcling soon, correct?” He nodded, his dark eyes sparkling.
Did he know we’d snuck out the night before? If he did, I sensed he approved.
“Orclings will come only if we’re blessed with and choose to have them,” I said. “Remember that.”
He nodded. “Naturally. I’m happy with the new daughter. Who needs orclings when we have that?” Turning, he crossed the room to give Mother a glass of pressire.
Somewhat reassured, I took my glass and sat on the sofa again.
But as I sipped the pressire, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was missing something vital.
Chapter 19
Kassia
It took the full three hours, but my meal was done and plated. All that was left to do was serve it and step back to savor the praise they’d heap on me once they’d tasted the dish. At least this test had been easy.
“Where can I find a platter to carry the plates?” I asked Flesta, the head cook who’d remained in the kitchen watching when I announced I was preparing dinner and that they weren’t allowed to help. I didn’t want to make a single mistake, and if I’d begged for assistance, I suspected Drunella would use it against me.
So much rode on the outcome of this test. Sure, Jarum wouldn’t reject me if his mother did, but I wanted to please her. I wasn’t an orc; there was nothing I could do about that. But I could complete the traditional tests that would gain her acceptance. I wanted her to like me. I needed to make sure we became a full family.
Flesta pointed to a cabinet where I found just the right-sized platter. I loaded the three plates on the flat surface, lifted it, and carried it down the hall and into the dining room.
Jarum and his parents sat at the table, all of them looking my way when I appeared.
I strode toward them proudly and laid the platter in the middle of the table. With a big grin, I presented a plate to each of them. “I’ve made a traditional meal for you. Pizza. Since I wasn’t sure which kind to make, I stuck with simple cheese pizza, though I’ve got toppings you can add depending on what you like.” I’d found something similar to bacon, plus ground meat that vaguely tasted like hamburger. Veggies were easy; everyone ate those, and I’d sauteed some, placing them in a dish I set between Jarum and his parents.
