Page 56 of Royal Bite
“This does remind me of a few orphanages I was in,” Stormey murmured. She spun around and sighed as memories came forth. She met the gaze of Hegna before turning back to Emily.
“You were raised in an orphanage?” Emily asked, curiosity in her eyes.
“I was. I was taken in at the age of sixteen by a woman who fostered me until I aged out.” Stormey glanced up and took in curious faces of children huddling down along the railings at the top of the stairs.
“May I ask what triggered this visit?” Emily asked. She fiddled with her hands in front of her. She switched her attention to Hegna. “I would have to admit when I received the call, I was shocked that you would be visiting our home.”
“As Stormey mentioned, she was once an orphan, and children who are like her hold a special place in her heart,” Hegna began. She continued on, but Stormey tuned her out. A certain set of brown eyes, big chubby cheeks, and braids with colored beads on the ends caught her eye.
Maisie.
Stormey waved at her, and she must have taken it as a cue to come on down the stairs.
“Princess!” Maisie called out. She ran to the top of the stairs and made her way down them. She was dressed in a purple, long-sleeved t-shirt and sweatpants. Her feet were bare, but they flew down the stairs.
Stormey grinned and opened up her arms. The tyke made it to the bottom and took off, slamming into Stormey. She laughed and wrapped the little one up in a hug.
“You came like you said you would!” Maisie giggled.
“I did.” Stormey laughed. She pulled back to get a look at Maisie. She was such a cutie, and Stormey’s heart melted at the sight of her. “Have you been a good girl?”
“No,” Maisie said with a straight face, sending Stormey into a fit of laughter. There were a few snickers and snorts from her guards. She glanced up to see Desmond smiling before he turned away.
Hegna stared at Maisie with a raised eyebrow.
“Maisie, you are supposed to be upstairs,” Emily gushed.
She reached for Maisie, but she buried herself into the side of Stormey’s winter cloak.
“Oh, it’s quite all right. Maisie and I met at the marketplace when she was selling the baked goods,” Stormey said. She took Maisie’s hand and loved how the small one felt. She had always yearned for a child, and Maisie had her biological clock blaring.
“Oh, you’re the one who bought out the table? Maisie has been speaking of you nonstop.” Emily laughed.
“Yes, and I must say everyone enjoyed the snacks,” Stormey said. The baked goods were a hit, and when everyone found out they were from the orphanage, it made it even better.
Maisie leaned against Stormey, peeking around her leg at Hegna. Stormey giggled at the wide-eyed gaze of the youngster. Hegna glanced down at her. She offered the tyke a smile. Her face completely relaxed as she winked at Maisie. Stormey’s heart skipped a beat.
“Aren’t you a vampire?” Maisie blurted out.
Chuckles went around at her innocent question.
“I am,” Hegna replied.
“Then where are your fangs?” the little one asked. This young girl was bold and brave.
Stormey laughed and squeezed her hand. Maisie reminded Stormey of herself at that age.
“Now, Maisie, let’s not be rude,” Emily sputtered.
“It’s fine.” Hegna raised her hand. She walked over to Maisie and bent down on one knee, bringing her somewhat eye level with the child. “Do you promise to not be scared if I show them to you?”
“I never get scared,” Maisie scoffed.
Emily rolled her eyes, shaking her head. The headmistress of the orphanage certainly had her hands full with this one.
“Then you are a very brave young girl,” Hegna replied. Something passed fleetingly on her face. She then grinned, showing off her fangs.
Maisie’s quick intake of breath was the only sound in the room. She moved forward to get a better view.
