Page 27 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
“Do you usually help with cooking?” I ask, scanning my brain for what I need.
Kalle’s hair falls in his eyes as he glances down shyly, and my heart swoons. “No. Although sometimes I would sneak into the kitchen as a small child, and the cooks would let me stir the soup.” He pauses. “And then give me a cookie.”
I reach over and touch the back of his hand, then freeze and withdraw my hand. There’s an awkward pause. “That’s cute,” I finally say, going to the refrigerator and pulling out the vegetables I bought from the farmers market yesterday. “This won’t take long.”
“Then can I just watch you work?”
His words make me shiver. “Sure. Or you can watch television.” Something occurs to me. “Have you done that before?”
Kalle swivels his head toward the TV. “I have watched television before, but not very often.”
“You don’t have it in Huckleberry Castle?” I fill my saucepan with water and place it on the stove.
“No. The Northwest Forest isn’t very tech compatible.”
“Do you have a cell phone?”
“No, I do not.”
“Interesting,” I say, as I start to slice zucchini. In keeping with my overall ethos, I make do with limited cooking equipment. I have one good chef’s knife, and I use the kitchen’s built-in cutting board. I have two pans and only a few dishes.
As I cook, I keep sneaking glances at Kalle, who is slowly walking around my studio, taking it in.
“I know my place is small …” I start.
“It’s not small.” Kalle’s looking at the books on my shelf. “Or, rather, it’s nottoosmall. It seems just right. It reminds me of the wood nymphs’ homes.”
I blink. “Wood nymphs’ homes?”
“Wood nymphs live in trees and are very hospitable. If I’m out and need a meal—and there’s no inn nearby—that’s where I stop.”
“There’s so much to unpack in that,” I say. “For starters, do you often go out on your own?”
He’s now looking at the pictures over my bed, which means he’s near my bed.
What would my bed look like with him on top of it? Preferably with fewer clothes.
Bad Justice. No naked-Kalle daydreams.
“As often as possible,” he says, and it takes me a second to remember what I asked him. “I don’t want to complain, but sometimes it can be oppressive in the castle. Especially lately, with everyone getting ready for the wedding.”
“Does it make you think about your own wedding? I mean, if it’s difficult to be there for your brother’s nuptials, I’m thinkingit will be harder for you. Given the whole arranged-marriage thing.”
“I do my best not to think about it. My family will likely insist that I marry Gabrielle, the princess of Icedonia, once she is of age. She is eighteen now, but we don’t consider arranged marriages until age twenty.”
“That must make dating in the meantime pretty tricky,” I blurt. “I mean, not that you have a girlfriend. Or boyfriend.” There’s a hopeful tone in my voice. I’m fishing.
“It would be a girlfriend. But no, I don’t have one.”
And my heart falls down and plays dead.
Oh well. Kalle can still be my friend. At least while he’s here. Our funny rule of getting to the deep stuff first means I feel closer to him than anyone else I’ve ever met.
Figures he’d be so off-limits.
Chapter Seven
KALLE
