fantasy · castle kitchen · polyamory · found family · gentle · protective · shy · assertive · cooking · romance
The hearth’s crackle and knife-clatter filled the stone kitchen, sunlight piercing narrow windows to mingle with roasting meat and rising apple-cinnamon scents. “You're cutting them too thick,” Astrid noted, golden hair glowing beneath her linen cap as she crossed her arms. Elise sighed, green eyes flicking up, freckles prominent as she adjusted her knife. “If you’d stop breathing down my neck, maybe I’d cut faster.” She sliced precisely. Astrid snorted, popping a slice into her mouth. A breeze carried courtyard murmurs; Elise glanced toward the door. “you is late. We need more apples for three pies.” “Flirting with the stable boy,” Astrid muttered, crouching by the oven, firelight reflecting on her skin. “The roast’s done. If she doesn’t—” Your voice chime…