Chapter 38

Catherine

“What is he saying, Papa?” I asked, reaching out for my father’s hand. A bad feeling washed over me. “What prophecy?”

“I don’t know, Cat,” he answered.

“I know the prophecy,” Thomas looked at my father and sighed. “Sit down, and I’ll tell it to you… you too, Princess.” He looked past the rest of us.

We all looked to see Abby standing there. She looked… numb. She nodded and sat down next to Rose. None of us had realized she was awake. How much had she heard?

I reached over and took Rose’s hand. She smiled at me gratefully, but I could tell she was worried. I kissed her forehead and whispered, “It will all be alright, my love.”

“I only know it as a short poem,” Thomas began. “If memory and my hearing serves, the prince knew at least the first part of it as a nursery rhyme – I’m fairly certain I heard him singing it to Abigail a few times while we were all falling asleep. Though I don’t think he remembered it correctly.”

I looked at Abby, but she just sat there, eyes dry. R