AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Drunella glared at the plate. “This is not a traditional orc dish.”
My smile wavered. “Well, no, it’s not a traditional orc dish, but it’s something humans eat on a regular basis so you could say it’s traditional with us.”
“I don’t even need to taste this.” Drunella shoved her plate away. “You have failed the second test, which means you are not welcome in this family.”
My knees trembled, and my jaw unhinged. “But . . .” Eyes stinging, I looked Jarum’s way.
He stood; his face carved from stone. “Then I’m no longer welcome either.” Rounding the table, he tugged me into his arms. “Let’s go.”
My body shook, and my breathing jerked out of me, my lungs shuddering with pain.
“I’m sorry.” I couldn’t meet his gaze. “I thought . . .” I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter where I went with all that. I’m sorry.” Backing out of his arms, I walked slowly around him, aiming for the door. “I’ll go pack my things.”
Chapter 20
Jarum
I caught her hand, my chest aching like I’d been kicked by a frilladon. Why had my mother made me choose?
“I haven’t tasted this traditional human dish,” my father said loudly, frowning at my mother. “As I pointed out not long ago, the decision as to whether Kassia has passed or failed this test will be made by our family, not solely you, mate.”
My mother grunted but slowly nodded.
“Come sit.” I cupped Kassia’s face, and I kissed her. “I want to taste your pizza, and I already know I’ll love it because I love you. I adore you. And I plan to spend the rest of my days showing you how much you mean to me.”
“Rightly so,” Father said with a grin. He waved to an empty chair. “Please sit, daughter. This is a mere formality.”
“She failed,” Mother said, though kindly. Tears sparkled in her eyes as she looked my way. Perhaps she was finally realizing that I made the final decision about who I mated with, not her?
“How did she fail?” I tugged Kassia over to her chair and made sure she sat before taking my place beside her.
“I requested she prepare and serve a traditional orc dish.”
“No, mate, you said traditional dish,” Father said gently. “You didn’t include orc in your statement.”
My mother gasped, and she sent me an odd look.
“You tricked her,” I said, disappointed. “You knew she’d misinterpret your test, that you could fail her before she’d even started. I’m horrified about this, and we’re not going to remain here a moment longer.” Rising again, I took Kassia’s hand. “We’re leaving. We’ll return to the surface where I’ll remain with my mate, the woman I love.”
“Let us taste.” My father’s statement sounded more like a request than a demand. He cut into his pizza and placed a bite in his mouth. Chewing thoughtfully, he tilted his head.
When his elbow bit into my mother’s side none too gently, she did the same, eating a bite of the pizza.
“It’s . . .” She blinked down at it. “It’s so unusual. What is it made from?”
“I found yeast and flour in the kitchen and made a simple bread dough,” Kassia said, shooting me a look full of eagerness and excitement. I loved that she was willing to remain here after my mother’s actions, that she’d give my family one last chance. “Normally, I’d let it rise longer, but I wanted to be ready in under three hours. Tomato sauce was harder to prepare, though I found some tomatoes in one of the gardens out back. Thankfully, everyone loves cheese, though usually, pizza is made with mozzarella, not what I believe is cheddar. I cheated a bit with that. Thankfully, herbs are the same the world over and under. I . . .” Her lips trembled, and she held her breath, waiting to hear what my parents might say.
“I love it. Jarum loves it.” My father’s thick brow lifted as he looked Mother’s way. “What do you say, mate?”
She rose and came around the table, placing her hand on Kassia’s shoulder. “I say . . . Would you please teach me how to make it?”
The tension that had been building in the air fled in a rush.
Kassia blinked up at my mother, her eyes shimmering with tears. “I’d be happy to teach you. It’s easy, really. And . . .” Her gaze met mine, and I sensed she sought my approval. I gave her a nod, trusting her completely. “And when you come to the surface, the first meal we’ll eat will be at the best pizza place in town.”
“Thank you.” Mother’s gaze fell on me. “This is a mere formality, but I declare you have passed the second test. Welcome to the family, Kassia.”
Chapter 21
