Page 86 of The Abandoned Princess

The cheering that shook the room told us when it was all over. Xander pulled me against the wall beside the doors just in time to avoid being flattened by the wave of people pouring outside.

I was almost dancing with anticipation as I watched them stream past, chattering and laughing with bright, eager faces. The crowd seemed to thin, and I tried to pull away, but Xander held me back.

Sure enough, there was another surge of people, many of these ones dressed in more elaborate outfits, dotted with jewels.

As soon as their numbers diminished, Xander let me go, and I plunged into the river of people, moving upstream. People grumbled as we pushed our way through, but I ignored them.

My eyes scanned the remaining clumps of people scattered among the chairs while my feet carried me toward the front of the room. William and Celeste were still there, with Danielle beside them and their family clustered around.

But my eyes skipped on to another group of people who stood close to the Northhelmian royals. I gasped and sped up. My family.

I had nearly reached them when someone grabbed my arm, pulling me to an abrupt stop. I turned, ready to growl at Xander, but instead I found myself facing a grim guard in Northhelmian livery.

“The public celebrations will be held in the palace grounds,” he told me in warning tones.

I glanced down at my outfit, remembering I had chosen it to blend in with the general populace. I didn’t look like I belonged here.

“Let her go.” Xander’s voice held just as much warning as the guard’s had done, and the man stiffened in response.

I gave Xander a quelling look. There was no need to threaten a man who was just doing his job.

“Actually,” I said in my brightest tone, “I’m—”

“Princess Daisy.” The compelling voice cut across the room, making the guard come instantly to attention.

He took one look at his new queen’s face and dropped my arm, bowing low in her direction. I turned as well, intending to give her my thanks and instead was engulfed by a mob of people.

“Daisy!”

“Daisy!”

“Daisy!”

Their glad cries overlapped as they all tried to reach me at once, their arms stretching toward me from all directions. I had no idea who I was hugging at any particular moment, passed from arm to arm in a whirl of beautiful, familiar faces.

Tears were streaming down my cheeks, and I didn’t seem to be the only one crying, given the sniffles and the damp cheeks being pressed against mine. They had all come. My mother and father. Teddy and Isla. Millie and Ray.

Even two small bundles of squirming limbs and cute button noses whose chuckles suggested they found the group hug a delightful experience. I had dreamed about a new niece and nephew, and fresh tears ran down my cheeks to know they had been more than a figment of my imagination.

The family had grown without me, but they clearly hadn’t forgotten me. My heart swelled so full, I thought it might burst under the pressure.

When the chaos subsided somewhat, I found myself wrapped in my mother’s firm embrace. The seconds ticked by, but she didn’t lighten her hold, apparently unconcerned about her dignity as a queen.

I hugged her back until my eyes lifted above her shoulder and I saw another familiar figure hanging back from the group.

“Lori!” I pulled away from my mother’s embrace, but kept hold of her arm. “Did you see Lori, Mother?”

“Yes, we met before the ceremony,” Lori said calmly. “Her Majesty was most gracious.”

“Our family will always be indebted to you,” my mother said, sounding like she was going to start crying again.

“I promised her lots of gold,” I said cheerfully, provoking a scandalized response from Millie.

“That sort of loyalty can’t be bought with mere gold, Daisy! I hope you’ve been treating her with proper gratitude.”

I grinned. “I’m not thirteen anymore, Millie.”

Teddy rolled his eyes. “You don’t seem to have changed all that much. She’s teasing you, Mill.”

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