The New Kitchen Boy

Every Yule, according to tradition, a new servant appears in the kitchens. He looks suspiciously like the king. It’s not like anyone is ever actually fooled.

Far from being arrogant, the young and handsome Patrick makes himself useful, completing his menial tasks with good humour and diligence. Scullery boy Evan has never seen anyone so splendid in all his eighteen years.

Two castle workers can share a liaison that a servant and a king never can, however brief and bittersweet. But Yule ends, and Patrick has to return to his throne.

Then palace gossip reaches the ears of Patrick’s enemies, and fate pushes scullery boy and sovereign together one more time in a way that alters both of their lives and the course of a kingdom.