Leopard’s Surrender by Minette Moreau

Author:Minette Moreau [Moreau, Minette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-05T15:53:23+00:00

DAIYU

I hugged my brother one last time. It was so good to see him and his family, but I had other duties requiring my attention. As we left the clinic, I said, “We should go visit the galley and make sure my mother is being pleasant to your cook, and then we need to go to the holo to check on the eagle.”

Dakar nodded and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close as we walked. I relished his comfort. It had been years since I enjoyed something so simple as a hug and I drew the sensation inside to let it warm me.

“What do you think we’ll find?” he asked.

“Well, either they’ve killed each other, or they’ve come to an agreement. I’m afraid my mother won’t relinquish the domain of a kitchen so easily. She finds joy in preparing food for others.”

“My cook complained earlier about needing help. Perhaps he will accept her.”

“Maybe.” I had my doubts. My mother wasn’t known for sharing space in her kitchen. “I also want to talk to the steward who delivered food to the eagle and make sure she didn’t hurt him.”

To my astonishment, we found my mother and Dakar’s cook working quietly together as they assembled dumplings. Steamed rice rested in a bowl, along with large platters filled with meat and vegetables. I smelled my mother’s skillful use of spices and soy sauce that covered the slightly metallic scent of replicated food.

She gave me a bright smile and opened a large metal pot. Using chopsticks, she plucked a dumpling from the steam and held it out to me. “Taste, Di. It isn’t so bad.”

I took the dumpling and blew on it, then took an experimental bite. The flavors were different from what I was used to, but it was wonderful. “This is very good!”

She and Dakar’s cook nodded, pleased smiles on their faces. “We used Ximeran ingredients that were easier to replicate.”

I handed the remainder of the dumpling to Dakar to let him taste it. I chuckled at the distrustful expression on his face as he bit into the food, then laughed outright when he reached toward the pot for more.

“This is delicious! May I have another?”

My mother tapped his outstretched hand with her chopsticks, shooing him away. “You can wait and eat with the rest of us.”

He smiled faintly and tucked his hands in his pockets. I knew my mother liked him when she relented and handed him another dumpling from the pot.

Turning to the cook, I asked, “Has your steward returned from delivering the meal I requested?”

His eyes narrowed and he scowled. “The lazy boy is probably sleeping somewhere. He should have returned hours ago.”

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