the entire village. With the way missions were being sent out, there would never be a chance with the entire Company around anymore. With only two gone, it was something they could do.
“Wait, we should invite Senri, Willem, and Gentrin,” Zayden declared, looking around to see where Mat had walked off to. “In honor of Mave and Kian, who can’t be here.”
“I’ll go get them. They won’t want to miss this,” his old friend said with a chuckle and headed back out. “Good thing I haven’t taken my boots off yet,” he called out before the door closed.
Zayden was still grinning as he continued working. Bryn came in first and jumped into the kitchen, ready to help.
“The potatoes need to come off,” Zayen said, pointing to the large pot over a secondary fire he had going. “The roast is in the oven, and I need to check on it once I’m done with this…”
“Let me take that, and you check the roast,” Bryn offered as he took the large pot off the fire and set it to the side.
They worked well in tandem. Zayden had ruled his kitchen for centuries, but if there was one male he liked cooking with, it was Bryn. Bryn knew his way around the kitchen nearly as well as Zayden.
I would say it’s surprising, but the only surprising cook in the Company is Alchan. I can’t believe that male even knows how.
Zayden couldn’t deny their king’s skill, though. They traded recipes, something they told no one. It started with Zayden teaching Alchan how Rain liked his breakfast growing up and evolved from there. It was their dirty secret.
When the door opened again, a group flooded in. Senri, Willem, and Gentrin were with Matesh. Behind them, Luykas, Alchan, and Rainev.
“This is nice,” Alchan said, nodding at the space. “This is a good idea. Thank you for thinking of it, Zayden.”
“He needs something special and small,” Zayden said with a small smile. He stepped out of the kitchen to welcome everyone. “Please have a seat anywhere you like, and we’ll sit around you, Alchan.”
“I think I’ll wait for Leshaun to come and claim his place first.” Alchan had a kind smile as he looked over the home. Zayden liked seeing this side of the king. It was a part of him they hadn’t seen for the thousand years they fought together. Alchan could always withdraw and be rigid. That changed, thanks to Rain, who most definitely brought the male out of his comfort zone. It showed him how his son could fall in love with Alchan and made him realize how Alchan, king of the Andinna, could fall in love with his son.
With a smile, Zayden helped everyone find a place to wait out of the way. Nevyn and Varon came in next, carrying two bowls.
“We brought something to help ease the load,” Nevyn explained, looking into the kitchen as he put his bowl down. “But it looks like it wasn’t necessary.”
“Thank you,” Zayden said with a breath of relief. “I wasn’t sure I would be able to cook enough, but this definitely helps cover the gaps I might have missed.” He checked the bowls and saw they were identical—a vegetable medley grilled over an open fire. He kicked himself for not thinking of doing a plain veggie grill, but he’d made Leshaun’s favorite dish with the heart and liver.
The food was near done by the time Leshaun walked in and rolled his eyes.
“All of this wasn’t necessary,” the old male said, moving farther into the room. Behind him, Learen followed, someone Zayden hadn’t thought to invite but wasn’t annoyed with either. He was once one of them, and he could be again if he wanted it. “I found Learen while I was leaving. He was bringing me a special order I made to Kerit.”
“He likes a certain wine, and I thought I should hand-deliver it before someone snatched it when the supplies were distributed,” Learen explained, lifting the pricy bottle of red wine. “Dave saw it, and I knew where it needed to go.”
Leshaun smiled mischievously. “I’ve already cracked it open and had a glass. I hope none of you mind.”
“This is your day. You can do whatever you want,” Alchan said with a laugh. “Find a seat, so everyone else can.”
“Oh, you’re waiting on me? That’s new and interesting.” Leshaun chuckled and sat down at the dining table. Everyone quickly found their own places. Zayden and Bryn finished up the food and set it out