Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,19

makes it all worthwhile.” She imagined standing in the kitchen with her children and teaching them how to cook, sharing with them the joy she found in creating dishes.

“Although Elise’s first attempts at cooking were not wholly edible,” Karros chimed in, earning himself a reproving look from his sister. “You know what I’m talking about.”

“Of course I do.” She just didn’t want to share that anecdote with Caleb right now. She didn’t need him having second thoughts about asking Ivan to take her on in the kitchen.

“Elise loves the wildwood nearly as much as she loves cooking,” Karros continued the story despite her warning. “When we were young, we used to go stay with our grandma who lives on the edge of the wildwood. She taught us how to forage and what was safe to eat and what was poisonous.”

“You poisoned people?” Caleb asked in shock.

“No!” Elise reached out for his hand, the sudden shock of recognition silencing her explanation and allowing Karros to continue.

“The fruits and herbs found in the woods can have strange effects on people.”

“Ah, like the sycombre fruit. Flora used it when we were searching for Imelda,” Caleb said.

Karros’s eyes widened at this morsel of information about his true love. “Did she? On her bear shifter mate?”

“No.” Caleb tensed. “And don’t get ideas, you can’t use it on Aiden to make him forget her. Or to make Flora forget him.”

“Firstly, the sycombre fruit isn’t potent enough. Not to break the mating bond,” Karros replied.

“Does that mean you have thought about using it?” Caleb’s hands tightened into fists.

“No. But I remember my grandma saying she had a visit from Delphine’s father. He hoped to break the mating bond so she would marry Tisserand instead of running off with a bear shifter.” Karros held up his hand as Caleb opened his mouth to protest. “Not because they didn’t want her to marry Mikka. It was more because they hated the idea of losing their daughter.”

“They didn’t want her banished,” Elise explained.

“You’re not promised to another man already, are you?” Caleb asked quickly.

Karros snorted. “Our parents wouldn’t dare, but they did always hope she would marry a fae nobleman.”

“So, no banishments?” Caleb asked Elise.

“No banishments.” Elise smiled shyly at him. She was all his.

“So, back to my story,” Karros said.

“We really don’t have to.” Elise’s jaw tightened as she glared at him.

“It’s not that bad,” Karros insisted, “and you were young.”

“Eight.” Elise held up her fingers. “Please remember I was only eight when this story took place.”

A smile twitched at the corners of Caleb’s lips. “I’ll remember.”

“Anyway, we’d been foraging in the woods and then went back to our grandma’s house. Elise wanted to make cookies to take home. Grandma helped, but she was tired after being out all morning and sat down for a cup of herbal tea while Elise mixed the cookie dough.”

Elise’s cheeks flushed pink as she recalled adding ingredients to the mixture. She’d been so happy to make the cookies and was already experimenting with different flavors and textures. Which was how come she’d added what she thought was cinnamon.

“It was a mistake, and the cookies still tasted good.” Elise folded her arms across her body.

“What did you add?” Caleb asked.

“I added lilipat.” She inhaled sharply as Karros laughed. “It’s used as a laxative.”

“No one tried the cookies until we got home. I have never seen so many people needing the bathroom at one time.” Karros laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks. “The worst thing was Elise had already taken some over to the neighbors before we realized what was in them and what the result of eating them was.”

“Oh.” Caleb put his hands to his cheeks.

“It was years before they ever tried any of my cooking again,” Elise recalled the moment of mortification when she realized what she’d done. “It nearly ended my career before it began.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” Caleb assured her solemnly.

“It’s a pity it’s not safe with my loving brother,” Elise said drily.

“I’m sorry.” He wiped his eyes and then pointed at Caleb. “Anyway, he’s your mate, he’s got to learn everything about you. That’s how a good marriage survives. No skeletons hidden in the closet.”

“I can’t wait for you to find your wife or mate. I know where you have plenty of skeletons hidden.” Elise cocked her head to one side and opened her eyes wide in defiance.

“Point taken.” Karros lowered his head. “Okay, let’s look around the rest of the house.”

“Let’s. The downstairs is