Page 35 of MidKnight
“Oh, yes. Dad loves them. They’re so nice. I think he’s going to really like this. Change of pace, you know?”
“Wonderful. Well, I’m happy to have him. And I hope you’ll visit often,” I said.
“Of course!” Ember giggled and went to grab my hand. One of my guards stopped her. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m probably not supposed to touch.” She backed up and gave a half-curtsy.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask before, but how’s your family?”
Ember’s face fell for a moment before she pasted on a smile. “They … they had a bit of an accident on a trade route. It’s just my father, Donovon, and me now.”
I pulled her into a hug, breaking protocol.
Behind me, one of my guards coughed loudly. I sighed and released Ember, stepping back so the guard wouldn’t have a fit.
“I’m so sorry.” I knew her pain. Losing your family was awful.
Ember’s eyes teared up for a second. “All we can do is move forward and make the best of it. Learn from what happened and try not to let it happen again, right?”
I nodded.
Ember gave a small curtsy. I could tell she wasn’t long from truly crying. “Well, have a wonderful morning, Your Majesty.” She walked away swiftly.
“You too.” I smiled sadly and turned to Connor. “I botched that. I had no idea her parents had passed.”
Connor took my hand and said, “Not your fault, Bloss Boss.” He waited until she rounded the corner to say more. “Her parents caught the bad side of the Sedarian navy. Accused of smuggling.”
My eyes widened. “Was it true?”
He shrugged.
My bluebird arrived in a birdcage just as we reached the green salon, which Connor had chosen for negotiations. Connor took the golden cage into his hand as he allowed the guards to clear the room before we entered.
My knight turned to me and put on his ‘lecture’ voice. “It echoes in here, Bloss. This room is full of stone. So, no shouting or everyone will hear you for miles.”
I rolled my eyes, “You chose this room on purpose.”
“Yup. But you know and Isla doesn’t, so if she loses control, she’ll be a bit embarrassed,” he shrugged.
“Manipulative little sucker, aren’t you?” I grinned, swelling with pride.
“Just doing my job,” he winked and led me by the arm into the room.
We got situated and waited for Isla while servants brought treats into the room. Rolls baked with cheese on them, a traditional breakfast in Rasle, arrived.
The bluebird twittered at that, fluttering in his cage.
“Do you want breakfast?” I laughed and asked the little creature.
He nodded solemnly. I grabbed a roll and broke it, placing little bites in his cage. I looked at Connor, “Did you get a name for him?”
Connor rolled his eyes, “Is that a yes or no type of question?”
I stuck my tongue out at my knight. “You’re chippy this morning.”
Connor poured himself more coffee. “Yup.”
I turned to the little bluebird, who was scarfing up the bread. “Careful, little man, or you’ll choke. You are a man, aren’t you?”
The bluebird nodded.
