Page 52 of Shadow Queen
“Yes, and I’ve brought a gift for you.”
“Oh, Salara.” Marta gasped. “You’re too kind.”
“It’s the least I could do.” Norah led them around the wagon and pulled back the cover. “Rice, grain, flour, dried meats. But perhaps most precious of all”—she pulled out a small, wrapped package from beside the bags of food and handed it to Marta—“clippings and roots for your garden.”
The woman unwrapped it carefully and her eyes widened.
Norah pulled more wrapped packages, and Marta’s eyes welled as she looked in each one. “Tresantha, oleiden, serium, and many more.”
“Where did you get these?” Marta breathed. “They’re only found in Japheth.”
“They’re clippings from the private garden and conservatory in the castle.” Norah grinned. Mikael’s grandfather had retrieved them for his Japheth bride, in efforts to give her a piece of home in Kharav.
Marta smiled, teary-eyed, as she looked at Hamed, and he put an arm around her.
Norah felt her own eyes brim with emotion. “I just worry that the winter probably won’t allow them in the ground now.”
“We’ll start them inside. Then we’ll move them out in the spring. Oh, Salara, thank you.” Marta smiled through her tears. “Come inside. Surely the ride’s been long. Let’s get you in and fed.”
The Crest made quick work of the supplies in the wagon and then set their attention on a small camp for the evening. Cohen was happy to help them while Calla made up a bed in the house for Norah. With the plant cuttings tended to, Marta busied herself with dinner. Norah found herself in the kitchen, looking for an opportunity to be useful. “What can I do to help?” she asked as Marta kneaded dough.
“Please make yourself comfortable. Dinner will take no time at all.”
Norah smiled as she picked up the basket of vegetables and started washing them in the basin. “I’m not going to sit here while everyone else works.”
“Isn’t that what salaras do?” Calla joked as she joined them.
“Callamine! You’ll show respect!” Marta scolded, but Norah laughed out loud.
“Amah, it was only a joke,” Calla said quickly.
“And a very funny one.” Norah laughed again.
Calla smiled, pulling out a cutting board and knife, and started to cut the vegetables as Norah washed them.
“Oh my,” Marta shook her head. “I can’t believe I have Salara cooking in my kitchen.”
Soren and Hamed entered from the outside, followed by Cohen. They all froze, astonished, at the sight of Norah in the kitchen.
“Salara,” Soren said slowly.
“Say a word and you’ll be cutting potatoes,” she warned.
Soren looked at Hamed and then Cohen, and the boy shrugged with a smile.
Cohen went quickly to fetch more water, while Hamed positioned the cast-iron pot over the fire. Calla scooped the chopped vegetables into the pot, gave a happy sigh, and sank down into a chair by the table as everything cooked.
“Calla, Cohen,” Norah said, “might I have a private word with your grandparents before dinner?”
“Of course,” Calla said, and Cohen followed her outside.
Norah glanced at Soren, then widened her eyes to silently urge him along.
“I’ll check on the horses,” he grumbled, before seeing himself out.
After the door closed, Norah turned back to Hamed and Marta. “There is something else,” she started. “I wanted to invite you back to Ashan with me. Both of you, and Calla and Cohen. It would be an easy life, and the children could study and train. They could make a future for themselves.”
Hamed looked at Marta and she smiled sadly.
