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

The next morning, I awoke slowly. The sun was bright outside my window. It must have been early yet. It seemed as if the sun’s rays were coming in strong and undeterred. Even the curtains could not dull their luminance. I felt stubborn though, and groggy from being up much of the night thinking ba

Julian must have stormed out of the room, because in the next moment, he burst into the hallway. We were face to face, our eyes meeting, both pairs widened. Was Bridget telling the truth? Did Julian truly have a crush on me? Julian wasn’t denying it. But then, he wasn’t saying much of anything a

Elva was a little shaken after the argument with Bridget, so I sat her between me and Veronica, who, when she saw the state Elva was in, began to cheer her up with small magic tricks. When Veronica made some colorful sparkles dance between her fingers, Elva finally brightened once more. Jessica sa

They’re not lies. Julian didn’t say anything after that. Though, neither did I. I just gawked at him while he stared down at his bloody mary. I wanted to ask him to go into more detail. If he could specifically tell me which of the things Bridget said weren’t lies, I wouldn’t be on such a downwa