Page 106 of Tarnished Queen

“Yeah. I want to spend time with her. And you,” he adds. “It’s been so long. I couldn’t turn down this opportunity to be together and—”

“This isn’t a family reunion, Howard. I tried to make it clear over the phone, but maybe I need to clarify: Elise is in danger.”

“And you are, too.” It’s not a question, but a statement. “Aren’t you? You’re both in danger.”

I shrug. “Yeah. But Elise didn’t ask for any of this. She’s innocent.”

“You were innocent once, too,” Howard says softly. “When you were about her age. Actually, that reminds me: I brought something along.”

Howard digs into the front pocket of his suitcase and pulls out a small journal that’s held together with a leather cord. Carefully, he unwinds it and flips open the front page. Inside, pressed between two of the pages, is the drawing I made for him.

The edges of the paper look thin and fragile and the pencil marks have faded over the years, but I recognize it. It’s a princess tower on steroids, all curlicued ironwork banisters and ivy flowing delicately over weathered stone.

It’s clumsy and it’s childish, but it’s mine.

“I just wanted you to see it,” he says, closing the journal and sliding it back into his bag. “I wanted you to know I wasn’t lying when I said I kept it.”

I tilt my head to the side, seeing him in a new light. “I didn’t think you were lying, Howard,” I say softly.

He gives me a tender smile. “That’s good. Because I wouldn’t. Wouldn’t lie, I mean. You’ll get the truth from me, Belle. And the truth is, I’ll protect Elise with my life.”

Just like that, the anxiety that has been brewing inside of me for two days dissipates. Knowing Howard is here for the right reason, that he understands how important this trip is, helps me take a deep breath for the first time in ages.

Maybe this will all be okay.

“Great. Then let’s go.”

As soon as Howard and I clear the corner to the alcove where Nikolai and Elise are waiting, Elise jumps up and runs over to greet him.

“You’re here!” she crows with a huge grin. Then she frowns and adjusts her tone to something cooler and more teenagery. “You’re here.”

“Sorry you had to wait on me,” he says.

“That’s okay. We’ve been waiting here forever and a half, but only because Belle made us come hours early.”

“Because usually, you are running a full hour late getting out of the house,” I retort. “It’s not my fault you were on time today for the first time in your whole entire life.”

She shrugs. “I was excited. Sue me.”

That makes Howard grin, and then they’re smiling at each other, both of them the same kind of lovable, looney goons who don’t know how to share their feelings. I’m happy for both of them, but I’m not feeling especially smiley today. So I peel away and sidle up next to Nikolai against the wall.

“How long do we have before the flight leaves?” I ask quietly.

“Ninety minutes,” he says. “Actually, eighty-seven minutes. But who’s counting?”

I lean my head against his shoulder and sigh. “I hate this, Nikolai.”

“Which part?”

“A couple days ago, I would have said all of it. Except the Icelandic vacation. That is always a pro,” I say. “But I would have complained about letting Elise take a trip with her absentee father. I would have complained about being forced out of the city by Xena.”

“But…?” he presses.

“… But I think Howard genuinely cares about Elise. He told me he’d protect her with his life.”

Nikolai nods in a very masculine kind of approval. “Strong statement.”

“I really think he meant it. At least, I’m choosing to believe he did. So I trust Howard, and I’m happy to get Elise out of here. But…”

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