A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire, #1)

by J. Penner

She’d spent years pushing people away, building walls so she didn’t get hurt. So they didn’t get hurt.

“Everyone will look, Theo,” she whispered. “You don’t want that.” There were, in fact, eyes on them. “I. Don’t. Care. About. Them,” he said, each word hammered out like a blacksmith defining a stubborn sword. Theo’s eyes nearly burned with blue fire. “This is about you

“The sadness never quite goes away, does it? It lingers like a morning fog that never seems to lift completely.”

“Human or not, Arleta Starstone, your life is steeped in magic… surrounded by it. You just can’t see it yet, but it’s out there, waiting.”

“But, there is one last thing.” Verdreth quickly glanced at Ervash, and then back at Theo. “Now, Arleta is a very special neighbor to us.” Arleta swiveled further toward the orc, her thick eyebrows nearly knitting a sweater in anticipation of what else he was about to say. “Yes,” Ervash agreed quickly. “So, when you’re steering that cart… be hasty, so you are not late, but do not go too fast.” Theo simply sat there, nodding, but Arleta’s cheeks burned like the inside of her stove when she was baking a loaf of bread. The look on Verdreth’s face was deadly serious as he pushed his glasses up on his nose. “We only have one Arleta, and we can’t replace her.”

Ervash laid his massive hand on the edge of the carriage, holding it in place and waiting for a response from Theo. He edged in and lowered his already bass rumble of a voice. “We know where Langheim is, too. This means we can find you.” Arleta wanted nothing more than to bury her head in her lap as the orc bared his teeth slightly at Theo.

Theo leaned in close to Arleta, voice low as he asked, “Was he threatening me?” She pinched at the bridge of her nose. “I think he was.”

Her stomach flitted with excitement at the sound of her name on his lips.

“No one is going to want me there and now I don’t have my herbs. Everyone else will have their secret ingredients.” Arleta rubbed at her temples, feeling a headache coming on. The elf stayed close to her, regarding her hazel eyes with a soft intensity. “I want you there.”

Theo had made it into the bed beside her at some point in the night but was upside down at the wrong end. His feet stuck out from under the blanket while his head was underneath, just a tuft of flaxen hair visible.

“Animals don’t seem to care much about the silly things we do.”

If one isn’t living an adventure, then make it up,

Doli let out a giggle, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Well, look at us. We’ve only known each other for a few hours and we’re already best friends. Did you know some elves are fated?”

Stepping backward, Theo studied her and let out a long breath. “What?” Arleta asked, brushing herself off and shaking the laurel from her hair. “It’s nothing,” the elf replied, but there was hesitation in his voice. “Oh, come on. It’s definitely something.” Her chest tingled with curiosity. “Are we running out of time or something?” The moonlight spilled over Arleta’s face. Theo opened his mouth as if to speak but didn’t. “Out with it, elf,” Arleta playfully demanded. The corners of his lips curled into a shy grin, and he glanced down at the earth. “This is where I first met… my Fated.”

“Do you think you’ll find her?” Arleta spotted a Kossleaf plant a few feet away, which was a good substitute, maybe even better, for basil. Just five times the cost, so she never purchased it at the market. “I hope so,” Theo said. “If she’ll have me. I’ve been waiting for her under that bay arch for a long time.”

“And how long have you known Faylin?” “Oh, since he was a cub,” Theo said, the memory seeming to ground him for a moment. “I found him injured and abandoned in the forest and took him in.” He chuckled. “I didn’t know quite how much I liked cats before Faylin. It’s nice to have someone in your life who’ll always tell you the truth. Felines don’t mince words.”

“Let’s find Doli, then. I’m sure she’s running around the castle like a perky chicken with their head cut off.” Arleta winced. “Eww.”

“Who wants to be normal when you can be spectacular?”

“Now that we’ve bonded, you two be quiet. I’m taking a nap. I have to beat you both tomorrow in round two.” With that, Jez laid down, rolled over, and snored. It was likely fake, but it made her point. Arleta and Doli gave each other looks. “I think Jez likes us,” Doli said. “I do not,” Jez insisted without moving.

Something inside her tugged at the thought of Theo, but it was only a silly crush, something for children. But Theo was handsome, he smelled delicious, and the thought of being with him sort of sounded amazing.

“I had zero doubt from the moment I met you on the path outside your cottage that you were my Fated, Arleta Starstone. And my garden?” Theo held both hands out. “It’s so large because every time I plant something new, it is for you.”

“But you don’t really know me,” Arleta protested. Theo’s chest heaved for breath. “I have known and loved you for a hundred lifetimes.”

“And is this what you expected as your Fated?” Nervousness and a dash of wall-building sarcasm peppered her question. “A human? With no magic to offer you as a partner?” His eyes raised to her once more. “No… and yes.” Theo stepped in to close the gap between himself and Arleta. “There is plenty of magic in you. You are magic… for me.” He reached up and touched her cheek, making Arleta’s knees go weak and nearly buckle under her weight. “And I will be yours whether or not you want me… until I am no more.”

Her mind spun with a lifetime of dreams. The past… The future… How their lives would turn out… Together, always… She wanted Theo to be hers. And her soul told her it was so.

“She doesn’t want me here,” Arleta spat back, “so I’m going home. This whole thing has been nothing but a disas—” “Nothing but what?” Theo cut her off and stepped in closer, passionate fire in his eyes. “Because meeting you has not been a disaster for me. You being here has not been a disaster for the Baking Battle. There are so many people who are swooning over your bakes. Just you being here has changed this competition forever. You should have seen the last-minute invitation requests for the finale. We can’t even accommodate all of them.”

“There seems to be a story that you keep telling yourself, and I understand… it has served you for some time. It was real. It kept you safe. But you’ve outgrown that tale, and now it’s holding you back from becoming who you are really meant to be.” “And who am I meant to be?” Tears flowed onto her cheeks as emotion choked her voice. “I don’t even know who that person is.” A small, tender smile graced Theo’s lips. He picked up the false letter from the ground and pocketed it, then held out his hand to her. “That’s for you to decide.”

“Are you feeling okay? Was the oven too hot? Because you definitely did not win.” “I did,” Arleta insisted, her voice carrying with unwavering conviction. “I’m headed back to Adenashire with a completely different outlook on life.” Tears burned at the corners of her eyes. “I’m not there yet, but I’m on the way to learning who I am, to knowing I matter… simply because I’m me. I have people in my life who don’t care that I don’t have magic. They care about me. They want me to succeed.” She eyed her friend. “People like you.”

“You have every right to make your own choices. Though perhaps you are allowing fear of the unknown to guide your path instead of simply trusting that love is not up to the stars.”

“You know my feelings,” Theo said, his voice vulnerable. “I love you, Arleta Starstone.”

He continued, “You are everything I will ever want. You are magic—more than magic. Yet, no matter how much my heart wants to remain at your side for the rest of our lives, I will deal with the destiny I have been given… a Fated who does not want me. And I will not hold you back by staying. Being with me or not is your choice. I cannot and would never attempt to make it for you.”

His love was worth the risk. He was worth the risk.