A Lost Treasure: Fractured Conclave - Book 3 by Vanessa Nelson

Author:Vanessa Nelson [Nelson, Vanessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-03-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter fifteen

To her surprise, Hallie slept through the night, waking in the morning to the welcome scent of more of Rosalia’s cooking. She got herself up and dressed and headed into the living space to find Rosalia settled at the dining table, papers in front of her. Her roommate looked up and smiled as she came in.

“You look better,” Rosalia said.

“I feel better, thank you. Is there fresh coffee?”

“Yes, I made some a little while ago. Should still be hot. There’s some of yesterday’s bread, too, and more of that soft cheese you like.”

“You are amazing,” Hallie said, meaning it. She made herself the simple breakfast and came to sit at the table. “What is all this? Looks complicated?”

“Business licences and insurance,” Rosalia said, and grimaced. “It is complicated, but it’s almost done. I’m hoping to open at the start of next week.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Hallie said, “I’m so pleased.”

“Yes, well, I hope it works out,” Rosalia said, ducking her head back to the papers.

“Why wouldn’t it?” Hallie asked. “Your food is incredible.”

“Not everyone approves of me,” Rosalia said in a small voice, a tone that Hallie hadn’t heard from her roommate for a while. It didn’t take Hallie long to work out what she meant. The arrangement that Rosalia had entered into with one of the elite was one as old as the city itself, and yet it was still frowned upon. As though Rosalia had done something wrong. It wasn’t an arrangement Hallie could ever see herself choosing, but she didn’t judge Rosalia for it, and understood why it had seemed a good choice for her. The hypocrisy of the whole thing also left a bad taste in Hallie’s mouth. Rosalia’s blood family shunned her, but they had been more than willing to take money from her over the years. In fact, they had downright asked for financial support. And now Rosalia wasn’t in a position to help them any longer, her family had turned their backs on her completely.

“That won’t last when they taste your food,” Hallie said, with absolute confidence. Rosalia looked up, a trace of hope on her face. “Trust me on this. If there’s one thing low city residents like, it’s good food. And yours is wonderful. It might take a few days for word of mouth to get out, but you’ll be sold out in no time.”

“Thank you,” Rosalia said.

“Did you tell Kendra and Nelda about the bakery?” Hallie asked. The two elderly sisters, also powerful witches, seemed to know everyone in the city. Letting them know about Rosalia’s new venture would be better than any other advertising she could think of.

Rosalia smiled, mischief in her eyes. “I did. I dropped off a couple of loaves of bread and a cake to them the other day, from the first batch.”

“Clever,” Hallie said, grinning. She sipped her coffee. Not as good as Aneta’s, but close. “Do you need any help at the bakery?”

“Not today. Prudence is officially starting work today,” Rosalia said, and Hallie could hear the pride and nerves in her friend’s voice.

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