Page 193 of Night's Fall
“Timothee andErrol,” she went on.
Oh dear.
The king seemed to tense.Aleecewas gazing with great interest into her teacup.Alekseisighed.
“First, our apologies to you,Laura, for how terribly they’ve behaved in your presence.Twice,” she said.
“Family is family, these things happen,”Ireplied.
“They do, but the apology is deserved, nevertheless,” she returned.
I nodded.
She looked toAleksei. “Yourfather andIhave spoken to them.Theyunderstand you have our full support.AsIcan never predict their behavior,Ican’t say how they’ll react.Ido know both of them have kept to thePalace, becauseTimotheeis sequestered here, but evenErrolhas done the same.ItseemsTimotheeis sulking, butIhave hopes thatErrolis considering the error of his ways, andIhave further hope for good things.”
“Perhaps they’re not too old to learn,” the king murmured.
“They’ll have to be, because they have no choice,”Alekseistated.
Aleece was watching me with unhidden curiosity mixed with concern.
I smiled at her, thoughIwasn’t sure how effective my smile was.
I became sure when her concern visibly deepened.
The queen lifted her hand and looked at her watch.
She then lifted her head and said, “Yourparents have arrived.”
Ugh.
Here we go.
Dang.
Chapter30
Home
There was nothing informal about the way we promenaded to the throne room (for your information, that room was down and just beyond the majestic sweep of the stairs, situated at the back of the grand foyer at the main entrance of thePalace, and unfortunately, in these circumstances, not too far of a hike).
The king led with the queen on his arm.
Aleksei, with my hand in his elbow, came next.
Aleece trailed behind.
I sawAllainloitering outside the tall double doors to the throne room.
However, before we entered, when it felt like my lungs had forgotten how to breathe and each step was an effort at endurance—this meaningAlekseitensed more and more at my side, my beast was jittery, and his was pitching aggressively—the king stopped.
He turned.
He left the queen where she was and came to us.
He put his hand on my shoulder and looked in my eyes.
“They were never your family,Laura.Fromyour birth, you were destined to be with us.Beforewe enter that room, understand this, dear.”
