Page 166 of Lady of Starfire

“Apologies, Lady Tyndell,” he mumbled.

“Come here.”

Dragging his feet, the boy made his way back to her. She had pulled something from the crate and was now crouched down before him. “Can I entrust you with a very special mission?”

At that, William perked up. He lifted his head, brown eyes brightening some, and he nodded eagerly. She held up a sack. “Can I trust you to make sure that all the children get a fair share of what is in here?”

“Is that…candy?” William whispered, his eyes going wide.

Tava’s smile grew. “It is, and I believe I can trust you to ensure all the children receive some, right?”

“Oh, yes, my Lady,” he said, eyes fixed on the bag.

“And I can also trust you will stop putting frogs in your sister’s bedroll?”

“Yes, Lady,” he murmured, cheeks going pink.

“Good boy,” she said, standing and scuffling his brown hair.

She held out the bag, and the child took it eagerly. “I swear to be fair about it, Lady Tava.”

“I trust you, William. Off you go.”

The boy took off again, head high and chest puffed out at the responsibility she had just given him.

Tava turned back to the crate, her face falling as she began pulling out extra blankets. She looked up when she heard him approaching, giving him a sad smile before going back to what she was doing.

“Can I help?” he asked, reaching to take the small pile she was holding.

“You should be conversing with Drake and Azrael,” she said tightly, but she let him take the blankets.

“You need to be part of those conversations, Tava.”

“I do not think I can make those types of decisions, Callan. That is better left to kings.”

“And queens,” Callan countered.

“Of which I am not one.”

“You are already their queen, Tava. We simply need to make it official.” Her hands stilled in the crate, a blanket halfway out. Callan reached for it, adding it to his pile. “Are we taking these somewhere?”

Tava cleared her throat, pulling the remaining blankets out. “Some of the newer arrivals needed them.”

“Lead the way.”

“I can handle this, Callan.”

The sound of footsteps crunching on branches and leaves had them both turning, and Ezra appeared carrying another crate. He glanced from Tava to Callan, his lips thinning.

“Thank you, Ezra,” Tava said. “You can set it there. I will come back for it.”

Ezra nodded. “Do you need me to accompany you?”

“Not necessary,” she answered, eyeing Callan for a long moment before nodding and heading deeper into the camp.

“How have things been at the manor the last few days?” Callan asked as they walked.

“Fine.”

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