It would make me sick to do that from other sources.”
“Haven’t you ever used the source-link spell to do that to someone else?” He thought about that for a second before realizing it wouldn’t make sense. “Well, I guess you’d only do that if you were using it on an enemy.”
“Supper’s ready!” It was Sammy’s voice, shouting from the house.
“We’d better go,” said Will, but he could feel Selene’s eyes on him as they walked back. He had a feeling their conversation wasn’t over.
Chapter 56
The crust on the vegetable pies was light and flaky, though Will felt they could have been better. In his own opinion, he had overworked the dough ever so slightly. If Arrogan had been around, he would have had an earful. Is this supposed to be pastry or leather? The pies would also have been better with meat in them, but the last of the venison had spoiled as spring’s proximity brought warmer temperatures.
“Oh!” said Selene as she took her first bite.
Probably thinking how poorly it compares to whatever they served in whatever palace she grew up in, thought Will. It was an uncharitable thought on his part, and he knew she was too tactful to ever suggest as much.
Sammy nibbled on one side of hers and then held it above her head as though she was making an offering. “The gods have blessed me with this heavenly food. Please grant my wish and chain William to the stove so that he will provide me with such treats for so long as I live.” She yelped when a hot bit of gravy dripped onto her cheek.
Her father laughed. “Serves you right.” Then he gave Will a nod. “Magic is a waste of your life, William. Your calling is obviously in the kitchen.”
“Don’t play with your food, Samantha,” warned Erisa.
Selene smiled at the banter. “She’s right. I’ve certainly thought of chaining him up as well.” She winked at Will to remind him of when she had had her first long talk with him. The conversation at the table stopped as all eyes turned to her, and Selene’s cheeks colored as she realized how her words had sounded. “No, no!” She waved her hands. “It was a joke. When we met at the camp, I nearly had him arrested for sneaking into…” Her words tapered off. After a second, she stared at the pie in her hands with sudden interest. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything this good before.”
Sammy leaned forward. “Sneaking into?”
Selene looked to Will’s mother for help, but Erisa’s attention was fully on her. Placing her pie down, she rested her chin on one hand. “I think I’d like to hear this story. What was he sneaking into?”
Will’s eyes met Selene’s as he considered whether he should rescue her from the situation. Then a look of malicious glee stole across his features. Selene began shaking her head ‘no’ in a silent plea. He ignored it and told them, “I was sneaking into her tent, while she was sleeping.”
Sammy’s eyes narrowed, and she began glaring daggers at Selene.
“Why are you glaring at me?” protested Selene. “I’m innocent.” She pointed at Will. “He was the one trespassing!”
“Should I tell them what happened next?” asked Will with a grin.
Erisa barked at him, “William! Stop tormenting the girl and spit it out.”
“Fine. I was delivering the note I wrote to warn them about the Darrowan army. I put it on a table and left. The next day, Miss Innocent over there used a spell and figured out it was me. They arrested me, and I was questioned about it. But—and I feel the need to stress this—at no point were there any chains.”
“I’m starting to seriously reconsider it,” stated Selene sourly. She took another bite of her food then added, “Especially after eating this. I can think of any number of kitchens you should be locked up in.”
More explanations were needed, and Will and Selene were forced to elaborate on the story. After that, the conversation moved on to other topics, though it primarily revolved around the army and the battles with the Patriarch’s forces. Will was glad when it finally shifted back to simpler topics, such as how his family had been getting along over the winter. Before long his mother noticed Sammy yawning.
“I think it’s time we get some rest,” said Erisa.
Johnathan stood up. “You can have Will’s cot, Selene. I’ve been using it, but I can sleep elsewhere tonight.”
Something occurred to Will then. He