Page 56 of Dark Witch Resurrection

Kian nodded. "Good idea." He turned back to his mother. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes, but it did not make me happy. You know how much I detest jeans."

"I do." He pulled out his trump card. "But I also know how much you want to see your brother."

"Very well," she said. "Are you coming over to collect me?"

"It's up to you. I can come over, and we can continue from your place, or you can come here. I still need to call Jade, and Syssi needs to get the clothing from Lisa, so let's make it an hour?"

"I will come to your place," his mother said. "Do I need to bring along my Odus?"

"That's an excellent idea, but one will suffice."

The Odus were the best protection for his mother, and they were immune to compulsion, but given the prince's weakened state, there was no need for more than one.

"I will be there in an hour." His mother ended the call.

Syssi pushed to her feet. "Can I come with you? I'm curious to see the twins."

"Of course, you can." He stood up and pulled her into his arms. "You don't need to ask. I'm always at your command."

"I know, my love." She stretched up on her toes and kissed him. "But I'm worried that your sisters will be upset for not being included while I was."

"Don't worry about them. Alena is not going anywhere because she can barely walk and is about to go into labor at any moment, and Amanda doesn't like to get involved in the early stages of anything."

Syssi laughed. "You know your sisters well. What are we going to do with Allegra? I don't want to take her with us, and I don't want to leave her with Okidu either."

"Take her to Andrew. Allegra loves playing with her older cousin."

"What if he asks why?"

Kian shrugged. "You can tell Andrew. It's not a big deal if he knows. By now, the entire village knows the twins are at the keep."

"That's good." She kissed him again. "The fewer secrets I need to keep, the better."

42

THE PRINCE

The senior medic had left the back of the bed elevated, and as he lay back against the pillows with his eyes closed, his mind reeled with what he had learned in the brief moments of his waking.

He felt overwhelmed, his thoughts still fragmented and scattered and refusing to coalesce into a logical tapestry that could help him orient himself in this strange world he had found himself in.

Was it strange, though?

How would he know what was strange and what was not when he had no reference, anchor, or name?

He wanted to fall asleep again and let the blessed oblivion of unconsciousness take him away from the confusion and fear, but the female sitting beside his bed, the one with the golden eyes and the gentle touch, seemed determined to keep him awake and anchor him to the waking world with the sound of her voice and the warmth of her hand in his.

What had she been saying to him?

He had lost the thread at some point. "I am sorry, but my mind wandered off. Can you repeat what you have just said?"

She smiled. "Of course. I am sorry for talking nonstop and keeping you awake. Do you want me to let you sleep?"

He did not wish to offend her and lose the only person who seemed to care about him in this world. "No, please continue." He managed to turn his head so he could look into her bright, golden eyes. "I do not know your name."

When she said something that the translating device couldn't interpret, she tried again, and when it still refused to cooperate, she shook her head. "I'm going to turn it off for a moment." She pressed on the device.

---