Page 44 of The Heart of the King

“It’s been almost a year,” he confirmed. “It will be the seven of us. I don’t know that they’ll bring their young children with them, but Hazel might be able to go if she wanted to. Their children are all babies, but I’d imagine we could take one of Hazel’s friends to keep her company if she’d like.”

Jasmine gave a slight shake of her head, but David had no idea what that was about.

He did notice the little girl perked up when he mentioned going on the yacht. “We’ll likely head north to make sure we have a good view of the Lights if possible. We’ll be out several hours, sign new treaties, then return after a meal.”

At least that was the way these things usually went.

As they finished, Jasmine spoke to Hazel. “Why don’t I show you where everything is so you can take a shower? Afterward, we can have dessert. Does that sound like a good plan to you?”

Hazel shrugged. It seemed she was going to keep her mouth shut for the most part, at least when he was around. Perhaps once she went to bed, he and Jasmine would have a chance to talk.

And so it went. With bedtime routine off his to-do list, David worked in the King’s Quarters for a while. Jasmine joined him once Hazel had gone to bed.

He put his work to the side as she sank into a chair. “How did the afternoon go?”

“It went okay. It could have gone much better, but it also could have gone much worse. I have the impression she’s been taught that you, and probably your brother, aren’t to be trusted. You’ll likely have to work hard to gain that trust. I will, too, but even if her mother or nanny have been bad-mouthing me, it’s only been a few weeks and not her entire life.”

A weight settled over David. It shouldn’t have surprised him, and yet, it did. “Then I’ll keep trying to engage her and do what I can to show her I’m, overall, a good guy.”

Jasmine reached over and took his hand. “You are. I know you’ve said there are things in your past that you’re not proud of. I’ll let you tell me about those when you’re ready. But here and now? You’re a good guy. I know that.”

He gave her the best smile he could manage, but it only felt like half of one. “Thank you. Your faith in me means the world to me.”

“You’re worthy of it.”

“I pray you’re right.”

They talked for a while longer when Jasmine held up a hand and shushed him.

Was that crying?

He followed her through the Queen’s Quarters and then through a hidden door he hadn’t known existed. It led to a closet then to the room Hazel was in.

As they walked, the crying grew louder, though never overwhelmingly so. When they emerged into Hazel’s room, the girl was curled on the floor under the colorful quilt next to the bed, sobbing.

Jasmine didn’t wait for him to decide she should do something but went straight to Hazel’s side. She crooned something to the girl as she held her tightly.

David watched, helpless to do anything and hating that feeling.

“It’s kinda weird being in one of these big rooms all by yourself, isn’t it?” Jasmine asked softly. “I told you I stay in the room through the closet?”

Hazel nodded.

“Why don’t you come stay with me tonight? Would you like that?”

Hazel nodded again.

Jasmine helped her stand up and walk right past David. Hazel didn’t seem to notice him. Rather than following, he went out the main door and back to his quarters.

He’d now met his little sister.

But he didn’t know how he felt about that.

16

The first couple of days were hard, but Jasmine had expected nothing less.

Zellie was starting to open up to Jazz a little bit, but not much.

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