Chapter 20

Nick held Alice's hand as they strolled through the streets of Mirano. Feather-like snowflakes drifted down in thick clusters, but not a single one touched Alice's luxurious wool coat, shielded as she was by the umbrella in his hand. "What would you like to eat later, Alice?" Damian asked. Alice thought of the Fravonnian cuisine she had been having lately, and her pretty face scrunched up in displeasure. "I don't want Fravonnian food anymore. I'd like to have—" Yet, the words she meant to say never came, and a dim, dusty haze seemed to veil her eyes. She lowered her head, her eyelashes fluttering faintly. "Forget it. There's nothing I'd really like to have." In her mind rose the memory of Violet's wild leek ravioli and orange blossom shortbread. She had missed eating them so much—it was quite a pity she would never get to taste them again. Nick stroked her ear and said, "What a shame, and here I had those wild leeks and orange blossoms flown in just for you." "Really? How did