Page 90 of Tusks, Tails & Teacakes
“Tell me the truth,” Lira said as she held out one of the puffy, pale teacakes to Korl. “Do they need more sugar?”
Crumpet sat on the worktable next to Lira and nibbled on his own cookie, chittering at her.
Lira waved her wooden spoon at him. “I know what you think already, sir.”
Korl took the warm cookie. “Is that a trick question? Doesn’t everything always taste better with more sugar?”
Crumpet made excited sounds of agreement, and Lira could have sworn that the flutter-stoat was laughing.
She shook her head at him then turned to Korl. “I had no idea that orcs had such a sweet tooth.”
Korl snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “What else can I teach you about orcs?”
“Grognick’s beard,” Sass groaned as she entered the kitchen and spotted the pair. “Let’s not scar Crumpet for life.”
“This is perfectly wholesome,” Lira assured her as Korl reluctantly loosened his grip on her waist. “They’re testing the teacakes.”
Sass lifted a brow as she looked at the rows of cookies. “They don’t look like cakes.”
“That’s just what they’re called. Don’t ask me why. They’re actually cookies.”
Sass plucked one from the tray and popped it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully for a few seconds before swallowing. “I was going to say that they’re too simple, especially compared to your scones or apple cider cake, but that’s their appeal, isn’t it?” She snatched another cookie and took a bite. “I could eat a dozen of these.”
“I think you have your answer,” Korl said.
“You mind if I take some out to our friends?” Sass started stacking the teacakes onto a tray.
“Who’s here?” Lira asked, since they’d made quite a few friends in Wayside and Lira had brought in a few from her past life.
She’d expected Cali and Vaskel to move along once Malek was handled, but neither had shown any signs of leaving Wayside, and Lira was in no hurry to see the backs of them. She figured they needed a warm, welcoming place like Wayside as much as she did.
“Korl’s dads are here for supper, Vaskel and Val are debating the best defenses when sword fighting,” Sass said with a sigh that told Lira this wasn’t the first time she’d heard this discussion. “And Iris and Cali are talking about the latest pirate romance Cali read.”
“Take your dads some teacakes,” Lira said to Korl.
He scooped several into his hands and kissed her cheek. “I should also talk to Vaskel. He’s interested in a custom blade, and I know just the right hilt for him.”
Lira would have put the cookies on a plate for him, but he seemed content to hold them in his massive hands.
“I’m glad you two are friends,” she said.
“We’re only friends now because I challenged him to a fight for your heart at the Night Faire, and the Tiefling almost keeled over with laughter.” Korl did not look pleased to recount this memory.
“You didn’t tell me this.” Lira frowned, not sure if she should be offended or not. The truth was, she’d rejected Vaskel long ago, and to his credit, he’d never seriously pressed his luck again. The two had become tight friends with not a hint of something more.
“I never told you that I saw you walking with him to the inn that night I bumped into you.” Korl didn’t meet her eyes. “I was sure there was something between you.”
“So, you challenged a Tiefling to a duel?” Sass hitched a thumb at Lira. “Over her?”
Lira shot the dwarf a withering look, which Sass ignored.
“He told me that there were many claims to be made about him, but that he would never risk his friendship with you. It was something he seemed proud of.”
“For a Tiefling, that’s probably saying something,” Sass said. “So, you didn’t fight?”
“We didn’t fight. But we did follow the wyvern to the tavern and prevent him from entering.”
“I’d almost forgotten about Rygor.” Lira picked up a warm teacake and bit into it. “Is that why he hasn’t been around?”
