Avenged

“I’ve considered it,” he admitted. “You’re a logical choice, of course.”

“Romantic,” she said dryly.

“Can we talk, Cas?”

“Depends. Are you going to poison me again?” He reached around her and opened the door. She followed him inside.

“I didn’t poison you. If I was going to kill someone, I’d stab them in the gut. Poison is for cowards.”

“Agreed,” he said, holding her gaze as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

“You don’t believe me?”

“Forgive me if I’m not very trusting after you tried to convince everyone I was insane.”

“I think she likes you,” Violet whispered with a giggle.

Cas leaned back in the rocking chair, propping his feet up on the railing in front of him. “She has poor taste.”

“Oh, please.”

“I’m a disgraced king who was recently married to a woman pretending to be someone else.” He grinned. “I am rather good-looking though, aren’t I?”

“Humble, too.”

“At least I have one thing going for me.”

“Tomorrow will you show me how to debone fish? Galo was going to take me to the river to catch some.”

“You’re going to catch it yourself too?” Leticia asked skeptically.

“Can’t eat fish unless I catch it.” He pointed to the meat. “How long is it supposed to stay in there?”

Blanca tried to grab it out of his hand. “Your Majesty, let me—”

He held it out of her grasp. “I’m learning how to cook pig. It’s an essential skill, wouldn’t you say?”

She huffed, placing her hands on her hips. Behind her, Leticia giggled.

“Season it, Your Majesty,” Blanca said with a defeated sigh. She thrust a bottle into his hand.

“How much?” he asked, shaking it over the meat.

“That’s good. Now turn it over and do the other side.”

“You don’t have a fever.”

“Perhaps it’s just my misery, then.” He laughed. Galo didn’t.