Aside from the obvious tension at dinner, the rest of the meal was uneventful. We talked about inane things like the weather and the fall harvest.
Grandma brought out an unexpected dish that had me sitting on the edge of the seat. It was an after-dinner drink that was bitter and familiar.
"Cacao," I whispered. The pungent aroma filled the air, and I shivered in anticipation as I took a sip.
The earthy quality was clear with woody undertones that reminded me of coffee, it made me wish for some milk and sugar to mix in.
"You seem to like that drink," Grandmother Vers said.
"It reminds me of something I've had before." The table looked at me with shock.
"You've had this drink before?" Eomi asked.
"Well, not this, but something like it. Sweeter and creamier." I looked around the table in confusion. "Why do you ask?"
"This is the first time we have ever served this. It is a specialty drink only served to royalty of the Xica empire." Eomi whispered.
