Page 13 of Markets & Mooncakes

Chapter 6

The soft sound of water simmering in the pan fills the air along with the scent of melting chocolate. I stir it around the bowl, feeling soothed by the way it turns from dark lumps to a smooth, glossy, texture as it heats.

"The recipe didn't say to use a mix of chocolates," I say to Nate as I stir.

"The recipe predates the chocolate made with condensed milk," he responds. "I'm not entirely sure the mix will work for this."

"Another experiment?" I ask curiously, surprised that he's already suggesting that we do something like that after our previous conversation.

He smiles. "Not quite. The mix of the two chocolates has worked for everything else I've used it for. The only thing I'm nervous about is the marshmallow teacakes because they're bigger than the chocolates I've made."

I nod. "Maybe it will be fine?"

"I hope so," he agrees.

"There's one thing I don't understand."

He raises an eyebrow and pauses in rubbing together the ingredients for the biscuit bases. "Only one?"

"About this recipe, yes."

He laughs. "All right, what is it?"

"Why are they called teacakes when there's no tea in them? That makes no sense."

"A lot of things don't make sense," he points out. "I think they're just called chocolate marshmallow domes in some other kingdoms. Or the equivalent in their language."

"That's a much better name for them," I say firmly.

"Then I will update my recipe, and from now on, they'll be known as chocolate marshmallow domes only."

"Good." It makes a lot more sense, which means that it's a better name for what we're making. "I think the chocolate is done."

"All right, take it off the stove. Lift the spoon so I can see it?" he asks as he cleans his hand.

I do as he asks, watching the melted chocolate as it falls off the spoon in a fat ribbon.

"Perfect. We shouldn't have to wait before we fill the dooms."

"When would we?" I ask curiously.

"If it was too thin, then it would crack too easily," he responds. "But this is fine. Want to bring it over?"

I nod and grab a towel so that I can lift the hot bowl over to the table. Ember pokes her head over the side of the oven and looks down curiously.

"Not for you," I tell the dragon. I have no idea if chocolate is an acceptable food for her, but I have to assume that it isn't. At least it doesn't seem like good dragon food. Maybe I should read the book Artie suggested to Nate, then I might have more of an idea about things. It's not that I don't want to read it, but I struggle to focus on those kinds of books.

Ember lets out a small protesting croak, but then puts her head back down and seems to decide that sleep is more important than trying to get chocolate. Which is probably a good thing.

"Does she even like sweet food?" Nate asks.

"I have no idea. Did the book say anything about it?"

He shakes his head. "But I haven't finished it. I haven't had time to."

I let out a sigh. "Maybe I need to hire a dragon tamer from Shengda. They gave me the dragon in the first place, so they should have answers about how to care for her."

"Technically, they gave you a dragon egg and didn't actually think that you'd be able to hatch it," he points out.