head. “So...”
Her heart lurched as she gazed upon this beautiful man: soldier, healer, nurturer. Lover. As her father had said, there was something special about him.
Thinking of her dad, Layla felt herself smile, and for the first time it wasn’t tinged with the bittersweet pain of loss. She glanced over her shoulder, wondering if that green flash truly signified his soul had crossed over.
“So...” Vance prompted again.
Maybe it meant it was time she crossed over to a new life, as well. Heart rising to her throat, she turned to face her future. “So,” she said slowly, “I’ve decided I want to start being happy right this second.”
Then she launched herself forward and he caught her to him, his mouth finding hers to spread heat and magic all through her system. Yes, there’s definitely something enchanting about this place, she thought, before her mind misted over with happiness.
* * *
LATER THAT NIGHT, when Vance was sleeping, she slid from his possessive grasp and crept out of bed. Unlike the last time she’d sneaked away, this time she went no farther than the dark kitchen. His laptop sat on the counter, and she used it to log on to her mail service. After clicking Compose, she stared a few moments at the blank screen and then wrote:
Dear Dad,
As usual, you picked the right man for the job.
Love, Layla
Closing the computer after hitting Send, she gave it a pat before returning to bed. Vance half awoke as she crawled under the covers. Opening his eyes, he looked at her face as he pulled her close again. “Why are you smiling?” he murmured.
She kissed his throat. “Because tonight, the ether doesn’t seem all that far away.”
* * * * *
From Layla’s Karma Cupcakes Recipes File
Chocolate Chai Cupcakes
You can create your own chai spice mix according to your tastes by adjusting the ingredients below and/or adding others. Like a little more cinnamon? Go right ahead! Don’t like cloves? Just omit. Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices on the planet by weight, but it provides a glorious, exotic base note. Well worth the cost.
Chai Spice Mix
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Combine in small bowl.
For Cupcakes
Makes about 12 regular cupcakes
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
(at least 60% cacao suggested)
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cake flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chai spice mix
¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 eggs at room temperature
½ cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Break up chocolate and place in microwaveable container. Melt in microwave, taking into account the particularities of your appliance. Start slow! Once complete, set aside.
Using a whisk, stir the flours, baking soda and salt together in a bowl. Stir in the chai spice mixture.
Cream the butter and both sugars together in a mixer on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add in the chocolate and mix. One at a time, add the eggs, beating each in completely before the next. Alternate adding portions of the flour mixture and the buttermilk until they are completely incorporated.
Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 full. Bake in oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the cupcakes comes out clean. Take into account your own oven and keep a close eye! Cool before decorating.
These taste wonderful without any icing (don’t miss taste testing at least one from the oven!). But the Whipped Spiced Chocolate Icing will make it a truly decadent treat. Can also use Milk Chocolate Frosting.
Whipped Spiced Chocolate Icing
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces (chocolate chips work just fine)
½ cup heavy cream
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Place chocolate into a medium heatproof bowl.
Put cream, nutmeg and cinnamon in a saucepan, stir, then place over medium heat. While continuing to stir, heat just until it comes to a simmer.
Pour cream mix over chocolate. Let sit for a few moments, then stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth.
Put bowl into refrigerator and chill until firm (approximately an hour—can be left there until ready for next step).
Using a mixer, whip the cooled mixture until it is light and fluffy. Be careful not to overwhip!
Dharma Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
NOTE: THE ICING FOR THESE CUPCAKES REQUIRES A CANDY/OIL THERMOMETER.
Dulce de leche can be loosely translated as “milk candy” and is milk that is cooked until the milk sugars caramelize. It has a lighter taste than caramel and there are a variety of methods for making it (you can