Page 80 of Long Live the King

“I am playin’ billiards, but am headed there now.”

“Is that dog on my settee?”

“I think tismysettee, and he is my invited guest.”

“Fine, I will speak tae ye on this discovery in the morn.” Her video ended.

Lochinvar said, “Magnus, afore we go, the more we think of it, can we look at Mistress Ash’s future?”

I said, “Tae what end?”

“I daena ken, I am worried.”

I said, “I daena ken how tae make ye understand, Lochinvar. I once looked up Kaitlyn’s future and discovered that she had a different husband and had borne him a bairn. It confused and devastated me, almost destroyed me.”

Lochinvar shook his head. “Ye ought tae hae known twas not true — Kaitlyn would never marry another.”

“Aye, I later found out that twas an altered detail tae keep us safe, and it wouldna matter anyway — everything ye learn can be changed, Lochinvar, we prove it all the time.”

“But couldna the case be made that ye were able tae change time because ye knew of it, even as disruptive as it was, ye were able tae act. If ye hadna known ye might hae allowed it tae happen.”

I scoffed. “I suppose, butlistentae me, understand I am tryin’ tae protect ye — daena look. And ye canna look anyway, the moment ye told Lady Mairead of yer relationship with Ash and showed her on the projection, she put up guardrails tae keep ye from looking.”

“Really, she would do that?”

“Aye, because it is so dangerous.”

“Fine, I winna look.”

Quentin looked from one tae another. “Man, the mood got dire. Look on the bright side, Lochie, I’m grateful for the guardrail because I don’t want my surprises spoiled.”

I asked, “What kind of animal will Beaty be surprisin’ with ye this time?”

He said, “I’m suspicious it will be another chicken, I overheard her whispering to Noah about it the other day. I will need tae practice my surprised expression.” He smiled widelyand pretended, “‘A chicken! Awesome, we needed another chicken!’ or I will disappoint her terribly.”

We all laughed.

Quentin said, “Need anything else, Magnus, need help with your speech?”

“Are ye offerin’ tae deliver it for me?”

“Heck no.”

“Then nae, I winna need ye... In the morn when I deliver it just be certain tae sit in the front row and give me enough applause tae wake up the audience who I will hae lulled tae sleep.”

Quentin said, “Good, because speaking of being lulled to sleep, I am headed to bed. I’m exhausted.”

I said, “Good night, Quentin, but Lochinvar, can ye remain for a moment? I need tae speak tae ye.”

CHAPTER 32 - ASH

PALACE SALOON

Iwalked into work, “Hi Do—!” He subtly shook his head. And when the big man he was talking to looked my way, Don gestured very slightly, his fingers cutting across his throat.Be quiet? Stop talking? What did he mean? Why?

Don said, “Hey Joanne! Good to see you, hey, can you go check in the back if Ash is here? Great!”

I walked as fast as I could past the bar and through the door to the back storeroom. My heart was racing.What the hell was that?

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