Page 16 of The Heart of the King

He didn’t know this area of the city well. He wasn’t aware of a safe house in this part of town, but he likely didn’t know where all of them were.

They pulled into a small driveway next to a yard with more snowmen and snow angels than there was undisturbed snow. One of the white shutters hung loose beside a window. David struggled not to show visible signs of disdain, but this was not what he expected. Hopefully, it was all for show and there weren’t actual children inside.

While he smiled and pretended it didn’t bother him.

Randall opened his door but looked outward rather than at David.

David exited then started for the front door.

Stewart stopped him. “This is what you’re expecting. Be kind and gracious. You’re going to be king, not a god.” His words held warning undertones. The kind of tone he’d heard from Edward from time to time. Even Gabe had used it a time or two.

“Got it.”

Randall opened the front door. David walked in, followed closely by Jasmine then Stewart.

“Unc’a Stewy!” Two little girls ran to Stewart who set his bag down and scooped them into his arms.

“Hello, munchkins.” He hugged them as they held onto his neck. “I want you to meet someone.” He shifted them so they were looking at David. “This is my boss, David, and his wife, Jasmine.”

“Hi!” the girls said in unison.

“Hello.” David nodded his head and tried not to glare at Stewart. That wasn’t how he was to be introduced to anyone.

Stewart glared back anyway.

Jasmine brushed past him. “Well, hello there.” She held out a hand. “I’m Jazz.” One girl then the other shook her hand and introduced themselves.

A man stood off to the side. He didn’t introduce himself, but David thought he looked a fair bit like Stewart.

After the girls talked with Jasmine for a moment, Stewart set them down then turned to David. “We couldn’t go to one of the known houses,” he said quietly. “This is my brother’s house. It’s safer if the girls don’t know who’s really here. They can’t tell their friends later.”

“Understood.” It wasn’t what he expected. The place was small but seemed clean.

“They found out you were coming and made me promise to wake them up,” the other man told Stewart. “They love Unc’a Stewy.” He turned to David and bowed slightly. “Welcome to my home. I know it’s not what you’re used to, but you’re welcome to use what I have. If you’d like to rest before you freshen up, the guest room is ready for you.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.” Jasmine jumped in. “You have a lovely home.”

He bowed slightly toward Jasmine. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Is that what I am?”

David shook his head. “Not technically until a new Orders of Precedence is signed by the monarch. I can’t imagine my father signing one in the next few days, so you’ll go straight to Your Majesty when the conviction comes down.”

Jasmine shook her head. “This is all a bit overwhelming.”

The girls came back in walking carefully, each carrying a tray. One held some food and the other had bottles of water.

They set them down on the table in the middle of the living area.

“Please help yourselves,” Stewart’s brother told them.

Jasmine plopped down on the floor next to the table and said something to one of the girls. She picked up a cracker and pointed to a dip. “What is this here?”

“That’s a crab dip,” the brother told her. “The other is a cheddar cheese dip with bacon.”

“Thank you.” She reached for the other dip and spread a little bit on a cracker before popping it in her mouth. “It’s delicious,” she mumbled around the food.

The protocol secretary would be thrilled to see that.

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