Cassie thought back to the night they met. “I must have looked terrified for you to pick up on my fear of heights so quickly.”

“I recognized the signs. My sister is the same way. She used to sit in the center seat in the car so she couldn’t see when we drove through the canyons.”

“I don’t blame her.” Cassie stopped beside the picnic blanket.

“Let’s see what Patrice packed for us. With any luck, she sent some of her fried chicken.” Levi squatted beside the picnic hamper and flipped the lid. “We’re in luck.”

“Cold fried chicken,” Cassie said. “That’s not something I’ve tried before.”

“What?” Levi looked up as though she had announced she was from another planet.

“Don’t look so shocked. Picnics where I come from usually consist of shrimp cocktail, cucumber sandwiches, and fresh fruit.”

“What about dessert?”

“The fruit is the dessert.”

“You were a deprived child.” Levi shook his head. “We’re about to make up for that.”

“I think you are the first person to ever call me deprived.”

“Sit down. I’ll show you what you’ve been missing.”

Cassie sat on the edge of the blanket and proceeded to take her boots off. She placed them on the ground beside her and scooted closer to where Levi was laying out an assortment of food: fried chicken, sliced cheese, croissants, fat purple grapes, and thick brownies with fudge icing.

“Wow. Patrice outdid herself.”

“You can see why I have enjoyed working here.” Levi handed her a plastic plate, fork, and knife. “Here you go. Dig in.”

Cassie used her fork to serve herself a chicken thigh and proceeded to add a sampling of the other food before her. One bite was all it took for her to roll her eyes heavenward. She chewed and savored.

“It’s official. I have to steal Patrice away from Meridia.”

“Those are fighting words.” Levi shook his head. “If Patrice left, Garrett and Janessa would have a revolt on their hands.”

“I wouldn’t want to be responsible for starting a civil war.” Cassie took another bite and pondered. “This chicken may be the best I’ve ever had. What do you think the chances are that Patrice would share her recipe?”

“If you ask her, she would probably teach you how to make it.”

“Me? Cook?” Cassie shook her head. “Now that’s taking foreign territory to a whole new level.”

“I bet you could do it if you wanted to.”

“Maybe. I’ve never really tried,” Cassie admitted. “The chef at the palace isn’t friendly to those who invade his kitchen.”

“I can understand that. Patrice has been known to get territorial on occasion.” Levi leaned back on one elbow. “I know you learned to ride horses when you were younger. What else did you do for fun?”

Cassie pondered the question: dance, piano, foreign language, archery, shooting, horseback riding, sailing, history, literature, tennis, golf, skiing, swimming. Lessons had dominated her childhood. “I always liked swimming, but I haven’t been able to do that often since I was a kid.”