Page 58 of The Explorer
“And when you’re not here?” Laura asked.
“When we go on expeditions we sleep in a tent.”
“Together?” Laura asked with one eyebrow raised.
This time, I kept quiet and let Aubri answer.
“Yes, Mom. We’re five people in a tent. I sleep against the side with Mister Overprotective here acting like a wall between me and the others.”
“And who is acting like a wall between you and him?” Laura asked in a sharp tone.
“Laura, you know that Indiana would never overstep her boundaries,” my mother defended me.
Laura came closer and narrowed her eyes a little. “Hmm… that’s what Mason said as well but look what happened to him and Belle when they shared a bed.”
“Mom, can we talk about something else? I’m twenty-seven and an adult. If I decide to have sex with someone, it’s really none of your concern.”
Pearl swallowed a chuckle of amusement when she saw Laura’s horrified expression, as if she’d just discovered maggots in her food.
“I’m just trying to look out for you, which isn’t easy when you live on the other side of the world now.”
Putting an arm around her mother’s shoulder, Aubri leaned her head against Laura’s. “I know, Mom, but you’ve got to trust that you raised me to take care of myself.”
“I’m keeping her safe,” I interjected and received smiles from my mom and Pearl in return.
“We’re happy to see that you both look healthy and well,” Pearl said. “Everyone wanted to come to see you, of course, but for the sake of diplomacy we decided it was better if we came instead of Khan and Magni.”
“Are you meeting with the Prime Minister?” Aubri asked Pearl.
“I am. There’ve been some heated exchanges back and forth between him and Magni, which is threatening the peaceful relationship we’ve always had with Old Europe. I’m here to advise Monsieur Moreau to tread lightly or he might soon look up to see drones above his country.”
“You’re threatening him with an attack?” I asked with surprise. “That doesn’t sound like you.”
Pearl looked out the windows again. “Not threatening but warning. The French are being careless playing this game. I’m not sure what he hopes to gain from his demand of keeping a daughter of the North.”
“Oh, it was nothing but a power trip. Moreau was pissed that Belle was leaving without giving France the two children she was obligated to carry.”
Christina spoke up. “In his last communication, Moreau made a serious threat. He said that he’ll order the ten French children and the teacher who is currently at the school of inclusion back to France. We were so proud to have an international school with all three nations represented.”
“He’s also threatening to hold his delegation back from next summer’s summit in the Motherlands,” Laura said.
“Moreau is a proud fool,” I muttered. “But I doubt he’ll go through with any of it.”
Pearl played with her necklace and looked out the windows. “I hope you’re right, but unfortunately the tension between our countries has caused arguing between Pierre and Archer.”
Indiana threw his hands up, “Argh, Pierre was always dramatic.”
I’d met the man in question enough times to know Indiana was right. Pierre was the French teacher who had arrived from Old Europe eighteen months ago with ten children between ten and thirteen.
“In all fairness, Archer and Pierre never got along, but now that there’s been talk of war, he’s threatening to go home. I doubt Moreau will send a new teacher, and that means all the children will surely be called back to France.”
“I’m sorry,” Aubri said and rubbed the side of her aunt’s arm. “If anyone can talk some sense into him, it’s you.”
“Thank you.” Pearl placed her hand on top of Aubri’s.
“When are you ladies meeting with the prime minister?” I asked.
Pearl stood straight, with that air of sophistication that came so natural to her, when she said, “I will meet with him alone.”
