The next day, I woke up before dawn to join my mother's routine. I desperately needed her help.
"You want to cook for Zephyr!?" Mother looked at me as if I were an imposter pretending to be her daughter.
"For Ehlite's sake, please, shushhh!"
I pushed the door closed and listened intently. The walls were paper-thin, and I knew for a fact that Ilianna was a light sleeper. If she was up, he was up. It sounded quiet, thankfully. I pulled Mother further away until I felt it was safe.
"Yes, I want to cook something delicious for him. I can't have him giving other women pet names..."
"Sweetheart, you've lost me."
"It doesn't matter, Mom... just help me, please?" I shook my head, my wild black hair swinging around.
Mother's face was radiant, beaming like the sun. "Who would have thought? My Lylly, asking me for cooking lessons for a man." She rested her hand on her cheek, beaming with a proud smile. "Of course, I'll help you. I mean... I might as well help you too..."
She finished the sentence in such an obnoxiously obvious singing tone that I knew there was more to this.
"Mother, please... it's very early," I groaned, exhausted and too tired for this kind of hijinks.
"Oh, you're no fun... it's your sister! She asked me for something similar for that Lucian boy!"
That made me smile. Eleanor was finally pushing for it. She and Lucian had been dancing around each other since they were toddlers; for me, this was a long time coming. I guessed she wouldn't be missing the winter festival this year, after all. If that fool hurt her, I'd bury him myself before cutting off his only pride: his hair.
Mother took both my hands, looking on the verge of tears. "I can't believe something I've yearned for so long is finally happening. Both my girls are taking the leap together. Our family is expanding so much already. I'm so happy, sweetheart." She pulled me close and squeezed me hard.
I couldn't help but tear up a little too. Seeing her so genuinely happy... I just wished Father could be here to see that we turned out okay.
"Alright, enough tears," she pulled away, wiping her eyes and laughing. "Let's cook something for your future chosen one."
We walked to Lucian's mother's house next door. I didn't want Zephyr to know that at twenty years of age, I couldn't cook a simple soup.
Lucian's mother, Miranda Mordin, was a kind, slightly round woman—not fat, just short. I always felt awkward due to the height difference; it was like talking to a little girl, especially when she was angry and people couldn't take her seriously.
"Cooking for Zephyr? I would love to help!" Miranda looked happy, despite us waking her up, and we could still hear her son snoring in the other room. "My Lucian respects him greatly. He said he has learned so much from him."
It was true. Lucian looked more sure of himself lately, and Zephyr's martial arts paired well with his longer-than-average legs. I was glad, too, because Zephyr seemed to like him.
"Well, yes, thank you for your help. Now, any ideas?" Our pantry, like everyone else's this time of year, should have looked empty. "I mean... I know meat is a stretch, considering the sacrifice is in a few days. I just want something tasty. He hasn't eaten yet."
My mother looked confused, and even Miranda seemed baffled by what I said.
"Lylly, did you not know about Zephyr's work?" Mother asked.
"What work?"
"All those people he's training? You know they pay him, right?" Mother sat down at the table and joined Miranda. "The poor dear gives almost all of it to me or your Granny. I tried to refuse, but he seemed so offended by it, I had to take it."
All those people paid him? That was twenty or thirty bronze coins a week! It was more money than I had personally ever held in my hands. And he just gave it to us?
"We have money?"
"I thought you knew, sweetheart." Mother shrugged at my surprised expression, sipping her hot tea. "Haven't you noticed the change in our food? Either way, we can cook almost whatever we like."
Now, I just felt stupid. I had been so preoccupied with my own anxieties that I hadn't registered what kind of food I'd been eating for too long. I felt a pinch on my elbow and looked down at Miranda.
"Yes, Mrs. Mordin?"
"You've got yourself a good-looking man who is also strong and earns a lot of coin," she said, with a smile that was somehow too knowing for her stature. "Very, very lucky. If he's also good in bed, then he's a godsend. Also, I'd prefer if you called me Miranda, please."
If it weren't absolutely necessary for my future, I would have fled. I was so embarrassed. But I needed to learn how to cook, at the very least.
I also wanted to ask him for a favor once the sacrifice was done. Something he had already turned down a few times: I wanted him to train me in his martial arts and with weapons. He refused because he didn't want to risk hurting me. But with him going up that mountain, maybe I could guilt him into it once he returned.
I spent most of the morning trying to mimic Mother and Miranda's movements. It was a devastating failure.
Mother consoled me, saying most new cooks burn or undercook things all the time. Miranda, less gently, just told me I was lucky he made enough coin that we could pay for food made by others.
I walked away depressed and ashamed. Mother promised to make something nice for the afternoon and said I could take it to him. Today was the day we headed to Malai City with a group of others. I hadn't decided to go, but Mother knew me too well. I wanted to, but now I had responsibilities.
I went back inside our home, where I found Granny and Eli watching Zephyr feed Ilianna some eggs. Seeing them, I remade my resolve to learn how to cook at least edible food.
"Morning, all." I walked in with a neutral expression.
"You being up this early would be surprising enough, but I also woke up alone, meaning you must have been up for a while," my little sister said, quick to bring up things she shouldn't. "What was so important?"
"It's things little kids could never understand. You certainly wouldn't." I walked inside to the kitchen table, deploying a classic, effective barb.
My sister fumed as I made myself a plate. Looking around, I was shocked. How had I not noticed the abundance? Eggs, fresh fruit, and bread. We had cheese and sausage as well. I felt like I had been sleepwalking.
"Are you coming with us to the city or not? It's your last chance," Eli pressed.
I wanted to quickly tell Eli no, but I genuinely wanted to go. That would mean two days away from Ilianna and inconveniencing Zephyr. I glanced in his direction, pretending to think.
He noticed my gaze, and within three seconds, he understood my internal struggle.
"Please go," he said, amused by my stress. "Lady Vistellia told me how much you look forward to it. I'll take Anna with me and have Dem look after her."
Dem! Dem! Dem!
"Ironically, she's been much better with her now than when they lived under the same roof."
Yes, that was ironic. It was also infuriating. Dem... Why did it irritate me so much? She was married, and Zephyr had never shown any interest in her—he better not! But still, I couldn't help it.
"I see. I hope you have fun with Dem," I snapped, turning away to hide my anger. It was pointless.
He looked amused, immediately detecting my change of tone. So did Anna on his lap. Granny and Eli, on the other hand, were nothing but knowing smiles.
"We'll be back in two days. Do you need something from Malai?" I made a hasty attempt to change the subject. "Or for you, Ilianna, maybe?"
"We gave our lists already to Dem... I mean... Eleanor."
Zephyr physically shook with repressed laughter. Anna looked at me with a little pity, and the house echoed with my mother and Eleanor cackling like witches.