Page 168 of Enchanted Kingdom
I thought it might not even be her trying to make up for her blunder earlier. She actually sounded genuine for once.
Krew looked in his water. “And an even better mother.”
The king nodded toward the empty seat across the room from him. “The next woman who sits in that chair has only the highest of standards to live up to.”
Underneath the table, Keir grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze.
I looked toward the Queen’s empty chair and willed my eyes to not look at him.
The king moved to stand, the rest of the room quickly rising to their feet.
“I am needed in the throne room for a moment,” he said with a smile to each of us women. “I wish you all a good evening.”
And then he was gone. The king had left the dinner for the night. I was so happy I wanted to jump for joy. The night hadn’t been so bad after all.
“We are also probably needed in the throne room shortly,” Krew said. “Jane, may I walk you out?”
She nodded.
Aiyana pulled on Keir’s arm, so I gladly walked around the table to where Molly was standing.
“We did it,” she whispered.
“We did it!” I agreed. I wondered what had pulled the king into the throne room, a room I hadn’t even yet been in, but I also wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I only hoped it wasn’t a disloyal the king’s guards had caught or something like that.
Aiyana and Keir whispered away in the corner, but I paid them no attention as I continued talking with Molly.
“Jorah.”
Whatever I was saying died on my lips as I turned toward Keir. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“I’m going to walk Aiyana out. I’ll be back shortly for you, okay, sweetheart?”
I gave him a nod and smile. “Okay, Your Grace.”
As soon as they were out of the room, Molly spun to me and mouthed, “Sweetheart?”
I shrugged. “He’s called me it before, just not in front of her.”
Molly shook her head and let out a giggle. “She’s going to be so mad.”
I shrugged. I almost wished he hadn’t let it slip around Aiyana. I was tired of castle drama. Tired ofherdrama.
Soon Krew was back from dismissing Jane and approached us. “They honestly left the two of you in this room together?”
Molly nodded. “Yes, Your Grace, they did!”
He gave her a half of a smile. “The two of you have brought more life to this room than it’s seen in years.”
She patted his arm as she took his elbow. “Well, that’s sad. That simply will not do. We must remedy this straight away.”
I snorted a laugh from behind her.
Krew gave me a rare smile from over his shoulder as they walked away.
Then I realized I was left alone in the dining room. All by myself. Could I dismiss myself? I just wanted out of this room. Dammit. I should’ve asked Krew to take me with him and Molly.
Owen inched in the room and gave me a winced smile.
