Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
A simper picks the corners of my lips up at her greeting.
“Adora, how are you this evening?”
“I’m well, my Lord. You have my sincerest gratitude for your gifts.” It takes great effort not to stare blankly at her and instead I offer a tight smile and nod. Surely, that’s Galen’s doing.
“Certainly. I hope you’ve enjoyed them.”
“They fit my granddaughter perfectly.” I nod my head in understanding. A new birth. That makes sense although I wasn’t aware there was an addition. Galen’s fondness for company is not something we share. “What is it you’d like at this hour? I’ll tend to it at once.”
My eyes narrow slightly as I glance toward the cupboards. “I’m not sure,” I admit and turn back to the human. “I’m in need of some information.” Her lips part and her eyes go wide with trepidation. It’s only then I realize she must imagine I’m here to question her about someone in the castle. It has been necessary before. I decide to quickly put her out of her misery. With a tight smile I confess, “I have no idea what it is humans enjoy eating and I’d like to provide for a guest.” The old woman blinks rapidly as she takes in the information before relaxing her shoulders and offering me a smile. “I can certainly help you with that, my Lord.”
“I’d appreciate it. I’d like to spoil my…” I hesitate to call her pet to the servants. I don’t want them to perceive her in any way that would be less than my equal. After all, she may be my mate and mother to my children. She deserves the utmost respect. “My little human.” Adora peers back at me with questions sparkling in her eyes but she knows better. No one here asks any questions.
“Spoil her with food?” she clarifies.
“Yes.”
“This is the third girl? Not the two I’m currently cooking for?”
My jaw ticks slightly, noting she referred to my mate as merely a “girl”, she is a woman and she is to be my mate. I grunt an agreeable response although my hackles are raised.
She nods her head and frowns slightly. “It’s such a shame what happened to those poor girls,” she confides in me, and I allow it for the moment. Only because it’s her. Adora crosses the kitchen and opens the fridge as I follow behind. As she rummages and pulls out several packages, she tells me, “A lobster bisque is on the stove for the two now. I made sure to give them light food so they wouldn’t get sick, but the bisque will fill them up.”
I eye the pot although the lid covers the contents. “How long until it’s ready?” I may be patient at times, but Kara lays in bed waiting for me and I do not intend to keep her waiting for long.
Adora turns to face me and shuts the door to the fridge with a nudge of her wide hips. Her linen apron hangs looser, showing her pale blue blouse as she arranges the items in a pleasant manner—a variety of cheeses, slices of plums and grapes, crackers and breads, and thin slices of meats. “It’ll be another twenty minutes or so. But I’ll bring it right up, my Lord.”
“This seems fairly standard?” I question.
“It is.” She nods her head respectfully.
“I’d like to spoil her; is there something more…appetizing to humans?”
Adora does something I’ve rarely seen, she cracks a smile. “Lord Arrington, I’m not sure I’ve ever told you how wonderful it is to live in the castle.” My brows furrow in confusion until the woman continues. “Everything we eat is delicious. We have the finest of all sorts of meats and fruits we can imagine.” Her eyes shine with wisdom and sincerity before she returns to the refrigerator. She pulls out a second silver tray that’s already been prepared with a variety of olives and places it gently on the corner of the first. “I promise you she will enjoy something on this tray.” I purse my lips and reluctantly consider taking the tray.
“When the soup is finished, I’ll bring it to your chambers immediately.”
I purse my lips again before asking, “What is the most delicious food?”
“Well, that varies from person to person, but I enjoy chocolate truffles.” She smiles back with a knowing look. “They’re a bit heavier for their state,” she advises gently, “but I imagine a bite wouldn’t hurt. I’ll bring them up with your soup?”
I nod, understanding that perhaps a small but filling meal will be best for this evening. “Yes, I’m sure a bit of chocolate will be a nice finish as well.”
“I assure you she will be delighted with the serving this evening,” Adora states warmly, clasping her hands in front of her apron once again.
“Have someone bring the tray up.”
“I will, my Lord.”