Page 40 of The Promise Born
“How do you two feel about this?” Leah turned to our parents. “Will you allow it?”
“Of course we will.” Our father answered, and we both shared a confused glance. “Besides, we need to appear stable to our people and outsiders, especially the trolls. A change in leadership now would make them think we are weak and might encourage them to expedite their plans against us.”
“And,” my mother nudged his side, urging him to drop the diplomacy for a moment.
“I’m sorry that this was ever something you felt you had to run from,” he continued. “We’ve talked and we realize we didn’t give you the space or the choice. This will not be easy to explain to the others, but your mother is brilliant at these things, so I’ve agreed to let her take the lead.”
“I know, and I’m sorry to have put you in this position.” I looked at my mother.
“We’re just happy you’re alright. For so long, I’ve said you were still alive, and they all looked at me like I was insane. But a mother knows, in my heart I felt you.” My mother hugged me. “I’m sorry we made your life so miserable.”
“My life wasn’t miserable. You gave me a beautiful life and I am grateful for the past, but the future you planned for me wasn’t what I wanted. I took the coward's way out and I will forever regret the pain I put you through. But I couldn’t think of another way to get away from the fate promised to me by birth.”
“It is not a path for everyone.” My father nodded. “You’re not even the first to want out. My father hated the prospect at first. You are, however, the first to run away.”
I dropped my head. Passive aggressive digs were a birthright for him.
“I’m sorry.” I said softly.
“No more apologies.” My mother clapped and wiped tears from her eyes. “It is time we moved forward and though you are choosing not to be queen, maybe there is something you can help us with.”
“Anything, of course.”
“I’m glad you’re so agreeable because I need you to make your sweets.”
“What do you mean?” That was the last thing I expected my mother to ask me. “You spent years telling me to get out of the kitchen and now you’re asking me to bake for you?”
“Not for me, specifically.” She scrunched her nose up. “We are still hoping to repair the relationship with Starfell. And you won them over in part because of your food and in other because you saved the prince. Your father wanted to keep this away from you, but we received word he is awake, and he confirmed you didn’t attack him. Now that’s a big relief and I’m happy his parents waited for his account before attacking. Still, the trust has been bent because of your actions.”
“I don’t understand. Those are typical deserts that anyone here can make.” I frowned. “Why does it have to be me when we have a full staff of chefs here who can make them the same? Besides, they’ll break down and taste horrible by the time you get them there.”
“This is the result of me downplaying your desires for all these years, isn’t it?” My mother hugged me, then sighed. “Kiala, you must know there’s something special about the things you make. They do not taste the same as others by far. Maybe that was a part of the reason I pushed for you to stop. There was a little jealousy on my side. As for transport, we have ways of delivering our goods, or have you forgotten? We’re ice dragons, we can keep them cool enough.”
“Jealousy?” My mind brushed right over the rest of her response. “Why would you ever be jealous of me?”
“Because my mother loved to bake. She tried to teach me, and while I picked up the technical side, I could never get them to be as good as hers. You did. If I’m honest, they taste better. They say it's based on the dragon making the food. Each one has a slightly different flavor because of the ice fused with the dessert. Your ice is sweet, and mine was always a bit too bitter for the process.”
“Wow, you never told me that before.” I stared at my mother in shock. “My ice is sweet?”
“It is. And I didn’t tell you because what mother wants to admit to being jealous of their own child? It was my shame. But my shame almost caused me to lose you forever. I won’t let that happen again.”
“I don’t know if I can go back there.”
“Not a problem,” she paused. “You’re not invited.”
“Oh,”
“It’s not personal. But the relationship between you and Asante was improper.” My father asserted. “We don’t want to appear as if we encourage that.”
“Right.” I nodded. “Of course, I understand. I’ll do it.”
Over the next week, I attended meetings with the leaders of Frostspire. This was my duty. Show my gratitude for their love and appreciation for how they welcomed my return. This was the one time I would be exactly the daughter my parents wanted me to be. Because it meant assuring our people I was not there to return to my duties as the next queen. As my mother put it, after my ordeal, I was in no position to lead, but I was grateful to be home.
Following my mother’s lead every step of the way, I had done just that. Everyone seemed happy I was back. No one questioned the decision for Leah to continue in my place. She’d already won them over in my absence.
The morning my parents were to go back to Starfell, I worked tirelessly crafting my best versions of the desserts. I was afforded a private kitchen to work in, one my mother had built the moment we got home. It wasn’t finished, but it was good enough to do what I wanted. While I waited for my dough to rise for the fluffer loafs I would make, I pictured what the kitchen would look like when it was done.
“Kiala.” My mother entered the kitchen.
