Page 113 of Enchanted Kingdom
I was tempted to slam my eyes shut, not wanting to hear about who Keir was getting lunch with at all. I preferred to not know, actually. Instead I stole a look at Owen, the only one in the room that apparently got and understood how weird this was.
“I have time for this,” Keir fired right back.
Prince Krewan switched his attention to me and gave me a look that was all business. I knew whatever I had been beckoned for, it wasn’t for a casual breakfast heavy on the bacon.
Owen sighed. “Krew thinks we need to limit our weekly trips to Nerede.”
I was immediately infuriated. That was my one day a week of joy, and they just wanted to take it from me?“What?”It sounded like there was barely any breath in my body.
Prince Krewan put up a hand, his grayish eyes locking into mine. “I knew the two of you were going, I just didn’t realize it was so often. Eventually people will catch on. I’m only concerned for your safety.”
I gave him a nod. “Yes, I’m sure.Only.” I looked at him a long moment.
His eyes never left mine, mine never left his.
Owen choked on an awkward laugh. “Stare down.”
Prince Krewan’s eyes switched to Owen’s with the barest of a smile gracing his lips.
But this was no laughing matter. I spun to my left to look at Keir. “And you?”
Keir let out a long sigh.
Prince Krewan answered for him. “Keir knows I’m right. He just doesn’t want to be the bad guy that ruins your fun.”
I gave Prince Krewan a look that had him shutting up as I looked back at Keir. “Is this true?”
He shook his head and shrugged. “More or less. He has a point. Especially since the king drugged you. Hewillmake another move, it’s only a matter of time. But I don’t like you feeling like you are caged here either.”
I was frustrated beyond measure. Did they have a point? Yes. Did that make it fair? Hell no.
I reached for a piece of bacon and squinted at Prince Krewan. I took a bite and took my time chewing it slowly. “Are you doing this only because you know I frequent the orphanage?”
Prince Krewan’s eyebrows reached for his perfectly cut short hair.
I continued, “I know you don’t like that I know as much as I do. And I don’t honestly blame you for that. But I cannot understand how you could do that tohim.” I didn’t dare even speak Warrick’s name in this castle. I was too afraid to. “Why would you take away one of thefewpeople in that boy’s life that actually give a damn about him?”
Keir sucked in a breath at the same time Owen stated, “Ouch.”
Prince Krewan’s voice went soft as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m not trying to prevent you from seeing him, Jorah. I do think you need to avoid the orphanage on those trips for a while. Just in case you get followed.”
I snapped, “Then youarepreventing me from seeing him!” My chest heaved. “Don’t you realize that my not going to the orphanage is unusual for me? And—” I cut off as my eyes stung. “And that I miss those children? Every single one. That orphanage has been an extended part of my family since my father was ripped away from mine. My mother and those children areallI have.”
No one said a word, which was perfectly fine, because I wasn’t done.
“So fine,My Prince,” I spat, “take my trips to the orphanage too. Limit my days in Nerede. Control me all you’d like while the two of you get to do whatever you want with whoever you want, but that won’t change the fact that you can’t make me unlove those children.” I pointed out the window and stood. “I love that little boy and will continue to no matter how often you allow me to see him. So get over it,Your Grace.”
I spun to leave and took two steps before I thought better of it and spun back around, reaching into the middle of the table for two more pieces of bacon before storming back to my room. The one thing I looked forward to all week had now been taken away from me. I wasn’t going to Nerede this week. I wouldn’t see my mother. And I wouldn’t see the orphanage for an indefinite amount of time.
I bit into my bacon aggressively. If the three of them were going to be asses, at least there was bacon.
* * *
It wasOwen that came to check on me first.
“Hey,” he said gently.
“Hey.”
