Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
A delicious aroma floats through the air, and my stomach rumbles as I follow the scent trail and wind up in the kitchen. Juniper stands at the broad island counter, kneading some dough on a cutting board, flour all over her clothes and even on her cheek, and Maeve is pulling something out of one of the ovens. When Juniper notices me, a wide smile sweeps across her face, and she wipes a hand over her forehead.
“Well, good morning! Aren’t you a beautiful sight!” she chimes.
“Morning,” I return, fighting a smile.
“Mum, look at her. She’s so pretty! You did great.”
Maeve is already turning to find me. Her loose curls are pulled up into a thick ponytail, her face free of makeup, yet she’s still flawless.
“Look at that. I knew red would look good on you.” She winks at me, then taps the counter in front of a stool. “Sit. Have something to eat.”
I pull the stool back as Juniper adds more flour to the dough. “What are you making?” I ask as Maeve brings a glass to me filled with green liquid. I take a sip, and it tastes like freshly squeezed grapefruit. I search for the maker of this juice and spot a sliced green fruit on a cutting board behind Juniper. Maeve turns for a cabinet to retrieve a porcelain black bowl.
“Glory Bread,” Juniper says, pushing her palms into the dough. “It’s so good in the morning. Spread some blackberry jam on it, and I swear it’s an orgasm in your mouth.”
Maeve places a bowl in front of me along with a spoon. She brings a pot toward me, ladling some of the contents into my bowl. The food in the bowl reminds me of oatmeal, with chunks of white and yellow, and it smells mildly sweet.
“It’s my famous porridge,” Maeve informs me, picking up a container and scooping out some black powder. She sprinkles the powder onto the porridge, as if it’s confectioners’ sugar. “Now don’t knock it before you try it. It’s quick to make but takes two hours to set. Literally melts in your mouth. Try it.”
I pick up my spoon and take a small bite to test. The flavors burst on my tongue—it’s like cream and cinnamon with hints of apple or a fruit that’s similar in taste. Pear, maybe? Do they have pears hear? Whatever it is, it’s freakin’ tasty.
“Mmm. Wow, Maeve, this is really good.”
I take another bite as Maeve lends me a pleased smile. “I knew you’d like it.”
“You’d better enjoy that cause she won’t make it again for another year,” Juniper pipes in. “She hardly ever makes it. As a matter of fact, Mum, can you make me bowl? I’m almost done with the bread.”
As I continue eating, Juniper collects a pan and dumps the dough into it, then presses it into the pan neatly. She slides the dough into the oven, washes her hands, then carries her bowl of porridge to the counter, sitting next to me.
“You two like cooking?” I ask.
“I don’t mind it,” Juniper answers.
“Neither do I, but it has to be when I’m in the mood. I used to cook day and night for my triple crew. All they did was eat, especially Killian! My word, he was a bottomless pit.” Maeve waves a hand at the sheer reminder.
“I loved cooking too,” I tell them. “Me and my brother Warren would cook together every week. We’d make a random dish we found on Pinterest.”
“Pinterest?” Maeve’s brows bunch together.
“Oh, right. It’s an Earth thing. You can find a lot of inspiration on it for recipes, crafts, all that.”
Maeve rests her lower back on the counter with a nod. “Do you miss Earth?”
I offer a half-shrug. “Some of the things.”
“Like what?” asks Juniper.
“I guess some of the food. The bookstores, especially my best friend Faye’s. I miss hanging out with her a lot. Also shopping at Target.” I huff a laugh, remembering my last Target run with Caz. That seems like ages ago.
“We have all of that here!” Juniper exclaims. “Well, everything but your friend Faye and this Target you speak of. We have plenty of bookstores, and trust me, the food in Blackwater is incredible. You should try Hatley’s. Their pasta is delicious, and they have this hazelnut mousse pie that is to die for. They serve tea all day long, and most nights they have a live band playing.”
“Whatever you need, Willow, we can provide it,” Maeve implores. “I know this isn’t your home, but we’re willing to do whatever it takes to make you comfortable and to make you feel at home here.”
I work my spoon around in the porridge. “Are you just saying all this so I don’t leave Vakeeli?” I ask, smirking.
“Guilty,” Juniper laughs over her bowl.
“It’s not that we don’t want you to leave, but…well, we know about your life on Earth,” says Maeve. “We’ve gotten bits and pieces from Caspian, and Alora may have spoken to me in private about what you told her that first night in her palace. With the thing about your mother…”