Chapter 33
Ro smiled as she approached the newly opened wing. She could hear Mason talking excitedly. That was followed by a little bark. There was life in this once silent and closed off space. How could that be anything but good?
She walked through the doors, which were now left permanently open, just in time to see Mason and Bean dash from one apartment to another.
When she reached Dove’s apartment, she knocked on the door frame, since the doors were open. “Anyone home?”
Dove came out from the master bedroom. “Good morning.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry, everything’s such a mess. We’re trying to get settled.” Suddenly, she dropped into a curtsey. “Sorry about that, too. I really am trying to remember.”
“Don’t worry about it in private. In public, it’s expected, but when it’s just us, I don’t need it.”
“Thank you. Can I offer you something to drink? The kitchen sent someone up to see what we wanted for breakfast, so there’s still tea, if you want some.”
“I’m fine, thanks. I just had breakfast myself.”
With a slightly dazed look in her eyes, Dove shook her head. “I can’t believe there’s a kitchen that cares what we want to eat. And then makes it.”
“It’s definitely an adjustment.” Ro gestured toward the sitting room. “Can we have a seat? There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Dove’s amused expression vanished. “Is everything okay? Michael’s not here. He left early this morning to go back to his cottage and wrap things up there. He’s got a couple of outstanding jobs to finish, but he figured he could probably do that here once he had all his tools.”
“That’s fine. Did he get help? Does he need help?”
“The guards that have been helping us arranged for him to have a cart and two of them went with him. I’m sure that’ll be plenty.”
“Good.” Ro moved a container of Legos off the couch and sat.
Dove sat nearby, hands folded in her lap, body tense.
Ro reached out to touch her arm. “This is nothing bad, I promise. I’ve discussed it with my council, and I would offer you the opportunity to officially become part of the royal family. I’m offering you the title of princess.”
Dove’s mouth fell open. “You’re being serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Mason would become a prince, Michael a lord, and Star a lady.”
“That seems…I never imagined…” Dove blew out a breath. “Can I ask why you’d do that for us?”
“I’ll be honest, part of it is that it would make my job and JT’s a little lighter at times.
We aren’t heavily engaged in public events at the moment, but we’ve also had a lot going on.
If you were available to occasionally make an appearance at the opening of a business or a special event, it would make things easier on us.
Also, I personally think the citizens of the kingdom would love having more royal family.
They were without any for so long. Lastly, it would be easier to handle security for you and Mason. ”
Dove glanced toward the hall. “Do you think he’s in danger?”
“No, not one bit. But as word spreads of his abilities, curiosity will grow. We’re not taking any chances where the two of you are concerned. Of course, at some point his abilities will mature enough that he’ll be able to protect himself easily.”
Dove stared at her hands. “I worry about him.”
“I understand. JT is thirty and I worry about him. That won’t stop until the day I die.” When Dove didn’t respond, Ro said, “Do you want some time to think about it? Maybe until Michael gets back and you can talk to him?”
Dove looked up and shook her head. “I know Michael. He won’t think he’s worthy of being a lord, but he’ll be tickled all the same.
I would be happy to help with appearances or whatever else you might need.
I like that a lot better than living here and doing nothing.
” She laughed. “Princess. That’s just wild.
What little girl doesn’t dream about being a princess someday? And now I’m going to be one!”
Ro smiled. “Thank you for agreeing. I know you’re busy getting settled, but would you have time this week to meet with a seamstress so she can get some gowns made for you?”
“Gowns?” Dove giggled. “This dream just keeps on going. Oh, my, gowns sound lovely. Yes, just let me know. I will make myself available. Oh, that reminds me—what about school for Mason?”
“Since you’ve been homeschooling Mason, I’m guessing he would test at a higher level than most mortal world kids.”
Dove nodded. “He would. He’s very bright. He’s doing fourth and fifth grade work in most of his subjects already.”
“Then here’s what I’m thinking. I’d like to set him up with a tutor, but I’d like to have Kieran be his schoolmate. Kieran is a few years older than Mason, but I think having the two of them together will be good for both of them.”
“I would love that. Mason would, too. He hasn’t stopped talking about Kieran since they met.”
“Great. The library should have plenty of space for them.” Ro got to her feet. “I’ll let you get back to it. The proclamation announcing the additions to the royal family will come out tomorrow. If you need anything, you know where I am.”
Dove stood up. “Thank you again for everything. Are you going to tell my mom about this? The new titles, I mean.”
Ro shook her head. “I’ll let you do that.”
Dove hugged her. “You’re the most amazing big sister I could have asked for.”
At some point, Ro would get used to being hugged. She let out a soft laugh. “I have to admit, this is working out better than I could have imagined.” She held onto Dove’s arms as the hug ended. “I’m glad you’re here. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
“Same here.”
Ro headed back to her office, ready to meet with Posey and craft the new proclamation. She had a long list of other tasks, too. But she’d get them done. She had plenty of help.
She had to wonder about the letters that had gone out last night. The letter to Strongholde would likely not reach its destination until this evening, but the one to Malveaux would have arrived in the wee hours of the morning.
By now, Beatryce, or Anyka if she’d resumed the crown, would have read it.
Ro could only imagine what they were thinking. She honestly wanted one of them to come here and meet with her. She hoped beyond all measure that Beatryce truly did want peace. That the two of them might actually be able to achieve a treaty that would finally put to rest all this animosity.
Wouldn’t that be something?
As she approached her office, JT came toward her. “Mom, there you are. I was looking for you.”
She stopped when they met. “I just went to see Dove and Mason this morning.”
“How are they doing?”
“Good. Listen, I’ve decided to officially make them part of the royal family. That means Dove will become a princess and Mason a prince. Michael will be a lord and Star a lady.”
His brows quirked up. “Star’s a lady, huh? You’re really good with that?”
“I have to be. Including Dove and Mason has a lot of benefits. Are you good with it?”
“Yeah, definitely. I like them a lot. It’s cool to have a new aunt and a new little cousin.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. I’m also going to arrange for a tutor for Mason, for his schooling, and I’d like Kieran to attend the lessons, too. He needs an education just as much as Mason does, and if he’s going to grow up in the castle, he might as well have his schooling here.”
JT laughed. “He might argue about needing an education, but I think it’s a great idea.”
That pleased her. “What did you want to see me about?”
He grinned. “I was thinking I might go to the Caer Wyld soon. To visit Ghylla. I sent a message to see if that would be all right with them. I don’t want to show up unannounced. I’d take Raphaela, obviously.”
“You like Ghylla, don’t you?”
He shifted his feet and shrugged one shoulder. “She’s sweet and pretty and totally understands this life. Not to mention, she smells amazing. I’d be an idiot not to like her. Don’t you like her?”
“I like her and her parents very much. You know they are actively trying to find her a husband?”
“Yeah, well, I’m not getting any younger, am I?”
She blinked. “Are you saying you’re thinking about marriage?”
“I’m not not thinking about it.” He exhaled. “Listen, don’t get crazy, but being around Mason yesterday, and Kieran, too, has made me realize I want kids of my own. I can’t do that without a wife, can I?”
She almost squealed. “No, you can’t.”
“Ghylla and I get along really well. I know we haven’t spent a lot of time together, but that’s why I want to go visit her. To see if things are really that good between us or if it was a fluke.”
“And if things really are that good?”
He dipped his head slightly. “I was thinking we could invite her to stay here for a while. So she and I could officially start seeing each other and really get to know each other.”
Ro took a moment to breathe. “That works for me.”
“Really?”
“Did you think I’d say no?”
“I wasn’t sure what you’d say.” He smiled. “Thanks, Mom. I better go. I’m meeting Raphaela for an archery lesson.”
“Say goodbye before you head to the Caer Wyld.”
“I will.” He started to turn around.
“Oh, one more thing. What are you bringing Ghylla?”
He faced her again. “Bringing?”
“What gift? You should probably bring her parents something, too.”
He grimaced. “I didn’t even think about that. What should I take?”
“For her, some trillianite jewelry. Go into the village. There’s a little shop just off the main square. Raphaela probably knows it. For her parents, a couple bottles of blackberry brandy should do it. You can take them from the palace wine cellar.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
For the second time that day, she got hugged. She leaned into him. “I just want you to be happy, you know?”
“I do know. And I am.” He let her go. “I want the same thing for you. Whatever that means. I know you like Gabriel. If he does it for you, then I say go for it.”
She laughed softly. “I will take that under advisement.” Although she was pretty sure Gabriel wasn’t going to have a problem with that suggestion.