“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Julian said, holding his brother’s gaze. “Thanks,” Nicholas said. He placed his hand over mine on his arm, then, gently, pulled my hand away from him. “I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.” I could see the determination burning in his eyes. I didn’t want him to go but I k
When she awoke from her brief nap, Elva stuck to me like glue. She kept looking up at me with her big, tearful eyes. For a day that began with such high hopes, we were both feeling the lows now. I took her hand and did not release, very aware that I had nearly lost the chance to be her mom. If I h
Elva wanted to collect some seashells to add the growing pile she was keeping in our bedroom, so together, Elva, Nicholas, and I went to the shoreline and began walking along with water’s edge. While I helped Elva pick out seashells, Nicholas kept a dutiful eye on the ocean. Maybe he thought Ronan
“He has a short temper,” Nicholas said. I knew what he was suggesting, that this was bound to have happened sooner or later with someone with that type of disposition. Zale’s look of apology returned. “We have failed in the past. If we had been sterner with him, perhaps the now would be different.
“If you will please excuse us one moment, Ambassador Zale,” I said, and tugged at Nicholas’s sleeve. At the same time, I lowered Elva down and took her hand instead. Ambassador Zale dipped his head in acknowledgement, so Nicholas, Elva, and I stepped back a few feet to speak more privately. I sp
“What Bridget thinks of anything is the very last of my concerns,” Nicholas said. Then, Nicholas turned from me and together we walked back to Zale, who had been waiting patiently for our private talk to conclude. He lifted his head as we approached. “Piper and I are in agreement,” Nicholas said
Knowing the King and Queen weren’t responsible for the latest attempt on my life should have come as a relief. But Nicholas and Julian were acting like this only made everything worse. I didn’t know what could be worse than having the most powerful couple in the kingdom, and likely the planet, wan
“I’ll go with you,” Nicholas said. True to his word, he stuck to us like he’d been glued to our side. Eventually, the sun crept across the sky and began to disappear at the western horizon. Sitting on one of the sofas on the deck, Elva began to doze at my side, occasionally swaying. When she final