Embers and Edict

ed into the Lockhart estate, and surprisingly

interactions were mostly limited to brief, tense breakfasts or silent suppers. Bianca had lea

y the sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, casting colors on the walls. She explored libraries lined with dusty books, old parlors with covered furniture, and once even stumbled upon a hidden greenhouse behind the East Wing. Occasionally, she found joy in the East Wing, where Mrs. Mill

a point to check in every three days. His voice was weaker than usual, but stea

r shopping list to the maids. She had just stepped into

lico

ung open and a woman swept into the mansion like

s," the woman declared, yanking off her oversized black sung

outh parte

her back in waves that looked professionally blown out by a stylist. Her blood-red stilettos clicked against the marble floor like punctuation marks

when a voice echoed fro

ld've stayed in your

ng nothing but black shorts . Bia

Roman statue. There wasn't a single imperfection-just sharp lines and c

d up and grinned. "Da

embraced her, kissing her

nca. "And who's this one? One of your flings? I must say,

e new che

ked, adjusting he

r composure. "I'm Bianca Vasquez, ma

her in for a surprising hug. "You're so skinny, dear

t to question my chef's weight," Nathanie

elf, obviously." Lilian smiled sweetly. "Yo

handbag. She held up a manicured finger. "Hold that thought-i

. He ran a hand through his

ew minutes later, l

el asked, almost hopeful

pany we hired got shut down. Health inspection fo

the stairs. "Guess we'

"You're a chef, right? Can you handle cat

blinked

vive in this place for a few weeks, you can handle anything." She waved her hand

ed to Natha

orry, dear-you'll be well compensat

n his pockets. "If you want

d, her voice firm.

e that the paycheck could get Mindy closer to

m. "God, Nathaniel, does no one open the curtains around here? This place has more shadows than a haunted cathedral," she huffed,

, she'd been tasked with preparing food for an entire Lockhart family gathering-a gathering

e stairs, calm and collected as ever. He didn't seem su

oulder without looking back. "Th

d in the air long

to escape. She wasn't just cooking anymore-this was her one shot to prove she was more than just

back to the kitchen, her steps determined and sure. If the Loc

n, a fire sp

them

was