Page 74 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Dara gasped. “Chosomo bread? But, how did you get some?”

Color swept over Meea’s nose, making her freckles pop, but she shrugged. “My ma scrapes together for our birthdays.”

“We can’t eat your birthday gift, Meea,” Dara said.

“I want to share. I’m excited to do this with you all.” Her expression took on a self-conscious bent.

Temi reached out and squeezed her arm. “Thank you, Meea. That’s generous of you.”

Meea grinned and ripped the bread into five pieces, doling them out. I let my portion tumble in my hands before biting it. It was scarcely more than a taste. I’d left this much Chosomo on my plate before. Many times.

I popped it into my mouth.

“Wow,” I said after swallowing. “This is amazing. It’s not like any other Chosomo I’ve had before.”

Meea squinted at me. “Does your ma not make it that way?”

“Oh, I…”

Valerian laughed, brushing his fingers together to dust off the crumbs. “Staff at the palace eat the leftovers from the royals. We only have Chosomo if they’ve ordered it.”

“You eat the leftovers?” I gasped.

Valerian shot me a strange look. “Yes, Pip, as do you, right?”

I blushed furiously, even my chest heating. “Right, well, in the kitchen, it’s different.”

“True,” Val said, turning towards the others. “The kitchen staff has a separate eating schedule.”

Temi licked her fingers. Her gaze focused on both of us. Dara rested her chin on her palm. “Is it sad to eat the palace’s food instead of your mother’s?”

Valerian smirked. “Well, my mother works in the kitchen. So, technically, it’s the same for me.”

“That must be nice.” Meea snagged a hunk of cheese. “I wish we could get positions in the palace. Our lives would be made then.” Dara nodded.

“Why don’t you?” I said.

Meea’s expression scrunched up again. “It’s impossible to get hired at the palace. Children and relatives of the current staff have dibs on open jobs first. And everyone knows the king treats the palace staff richly. Who would be stupid enough to quit?”

“It’s not just the king, either,” Dara said.

“Ooh, that’s true,” Meea said. “My neighbor’s cousin works at the palace. She told me the princess sneaks through the servant’s halls all the time. She’s supposed to be friendly. Gods, can you imagine having a conversation with a princess?”

“It’s not as intimidating as it sounds,” Temi said.

“Yes, that’s right.” Meea’s eyes brightened. “You’ve met the princess. What is she like?”

My skin burned, my heart hammering in my throat. Valerian slipped his hand over mine. I met his gaze, and he winked. Something in that gesture, in the comfort of him, slowed the blood racing through my veins. Temi grinned at me. “Oh, I’d say that sounds about right. She’s friendly, and she definitely has an adventurous spirit.”

“It must be so nice to be a princess,” Meea said dreamily, ending with a sigh.

Temi shrugged again. “Every life has hardships that come with the good.”

Meea hummed her response, finally stopping talking, her attention absorbed by the food.

Later, when we ambled back towards the palace to mix in with the second round of staff entering through the kitchens, Valerian and I walked alone because Temi had joined the girls in the city for the evening.

I sighed and Val shifted towards me. “Something wrong?”