Ardenti
Melisande insisted on making us some tea and "biscuits" as she called the delicate cookies she placed in front of us. I studiously ignored them and shot Valerian a look to do the same. He was already in agreement and eyed them doubtfully.
"Drink, eat." She waved at us with her long elegant fingers. "Oh, come now. There's nothing nefarious in them. I swear it." She crossed her fingers over her heart then lifted my tea, and took a sip. She gulped it back and ate a big bite of a cookie. She patted a napkin to her mouth and smiled as if to say ‘see’. Valerian nodded, convinced and reached for his own. I put out a hand to stop him. I took the tea from Melisande and sniffed at the cup.
"Calendula, Marjoram, and a little something for spice? Melisande here, is trying to d
