Chapter 27
Ro had yet to show Dove and Mason the apartment she planned on giving them to live in. She’d taken them through the main areas of the castle, then through the gardens, and finally to the stables, where she promised them each a horse.
Dove had gotten weepy over that. The thought that her son, whom she’d been so worried about, was going to grow up in a life of privilege and protection had brought her to tears.
She’d hugged Ro, who hadn’t been expecting that reaction. After a moment, she hugged Dove back.
Getting used to having a sister was going to take some doing, but Dove was sweet and clearly a mother who cared deeply for her son. Ro not only identified with that but respected it greatly.
Ro might never have more than a cordial relationship with Star, but she could see getting closer to Dove. Neither of them were to blame for what Star had done.
As they walked back to the castle, Dove sighed. “I still can’t get over that this is all real. I’m sorry if I keep saying that, but it just hasn’t sunk in. I think it’s going to take a while.”
“That’s all right,” Ro said. “Take all the time you need. There is one more place we need to visit before we head back to your house.”
“Fine with me,” Dove said.
It was time to head to the rooms where Star and Michael were being housed so that Dove and Mason could be reunited with their family. Ro led on, Gabriel at her side.
They reached the guest quarters and went to Michael’s room. Gabriel knocked, then stepped back to stand with Ro.
Michael opened the door and was about to greet her when he saw Dove and Mason. He gulped air, slapping his hand over his mouth, then immediately gathered them both into his arms. All three started to cry and Ro got teary-eyed, too.
The tears turned to laughter. Michael picked Mason up and held him, even though at eight, the boy was good-sized.
The commotion caused Star’s door to open. She came out to see what was going on and whooped with excitement when she understood the reason. More hugging followed.
Ro would have been lying if she’d said the affection Star showed Dove and Mason didn’t fill her with a sense of longing. She shook it off. She had Violet. She didn’t need Star, too.
That hurt was hers to deal with, and she would, over time. She would at least try to deal with it. Living in the same place, despite how large the castle was and how separated their residences were, meant she would have to deal with it.
“You did a good thing,” Gabriel said quietly.
She nodded, still watching them. “I hope so.”
“Maybe not for you,” he added. “But for them.” His fingers brushed hers, making her look at him. “Life rewards that kind of selflessness.”
She managed a small smile. “I don’t need a reward.”
“How about some lunch then?”
She laughed. “Good idea.” Then, more softly, “I hope I don’t regret this.
” She stepped forward, touching Dove lightly on the arm to get her attention.
“I’m sure you’d like to catch up a while longer.
Why don’t I have the kitchen serve lunch in the formal dining room in about half an hour?
I’ll have footmen come for you when it’s ready. ”
“That would be great,” Dove said, holding onto her husband. “Mason and I are ready to be here permanently. Whatever that means, whatever it takes, we’re in.”
Ro nodded. “Wonderful. We’ll tackle that after lunch. I’ll see you shortly.”
As they all went into Michael’s room, she and Gabriel headed down the hall.
“I can send a footman to the kitchen,” he offered.
“I was going to see if JT and Violet wanted to join us. I’m not sure they will, but I’d at least like to give them the option.”
“Then let’s go find them and see.” He lifted his hand to a guard as they approached him. “Do you know where Prince James and Madam Meadowcroft are?”
The guard nodded. “I believe they are in their quarters, sir.”
“Very good.” He and Ro started walking again. “Up we go then.”
“We should install some of those portal elevators like they have at Willow Hall.”
He nodded. “Not a bad idea. Especially with opening the new wing. They could be set to allow travel across the palace as well as up and down.”
“That’s a great idea. I hate to think a situation might arise when one of us needs to get to that wing quickly, but you never know.”
They went into her apartment, and she knocked on Violet’s door while Gabriel knocked on JT’s.
JT came out, Violet a few minutes later.
“Sorry,” Violet said when she joined them. “Posey and I were in the garden this morning and I had to wash up. What’s going on? How did your trip to the mortal world go?”
JT nodded. “What she said. I’m guessing that’s why you wanted to talk to us.”
“The trip went well,” Ro said. “Dove and Mason are here. They’re currently with Michael and Star. I’m going to have the kitchen serve lunch in the formal dining room. I was wondering if you’d both like to join us.”
Neither of them said anything at first. JT looked at her. “How are you feeling about this?”
“Like it was the right thing to do. And like it’s exactly what Dove and Mason needed.
” She smiled. “My issues with Star are not Dove or Mason’s fault.
And not to sound like I have some sort of ulterior motive, but if Mason’s abilities are as strong as we suspect they are, we need to keep him close. ”
JT shrugged. “Might be cool to have a cousin. Even if he’s just a kid. Would be like having a kid brother.”
Ro nodded. “Maybe you could introduce him to Kieran. I bet they’d get along great. In fact, let’s invite him to lunch. Give Mason a headstart on a new friend.”
“I’ll send word to him,” JT said.
Violet came over and put her arm around Ro’s waist. “I can be friends with anyone.”
“I know you can,” Ro said. “So three more for lunch then.”
Gabriel hooked his thumbs through his sword belt. “Might want to invite Uldamar. I’d say Ecclesia, as well, but she’s visiting a school today to do a talk on herbs. But Uldamar will probably know right away if Mason’s aetheryn.”
“That’s a good idea. Let’s have Raphaela and Vincent join us, too. The more comfortable Dove and Mason get with how we do things, the better.” Ro exhaled.
Violet moved toward the bell pulls. “You’ll need to send a footman to the kitchen, I imagine.”
“I will,” Ro said. “I need to let them know there’s going to be a crowd of us in that dining room.”
She gave her message to the footman who arrived, asking for the best spread the kitchen could put out on such short notice without killing themselves in the process. She wanted to impress Dove and Mason but also Star and Michael.
Sometime later, when they were all assembled in the dining room, Ro thought the soft buzz of conversation sounded like a very good thing.
She watched as Gabriel introduced Uldamar to Mason. The old wizard extended his hand to the boy, who shook it with a real sense of wonder. “You look like Dumbledore,” he said.
Uldamar smiled. “That’s a new one. I’m usually told Gandalf.”
They took their seats, Ro at one end of the long table, JT at the other. She had Gabriel on her right, Dove at her left.
The footmen filled the table with platters of sliced meats, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, bowls of gravy, sauteed mushrooms, fluffy yeast rolls, and dishes of butter. Glasses were filled with blackberry lemonade, iced tea, or water.
Dove watched with interest as plates were passed. “Do you eat like this all the time?"
“No,” Ro said. “This is a bit of an occasion.”
Dove smiled. “That’s very kind of you. It was kind of you to invite that other little boy.”
Mason and Kieran were seated beside each other and were in deep conversation about something. “I thought it might help Mason’s transition if he was able to make a friend.”
“It will.” Dove looked at Ro. “Do you think…we’ll be able to be friends? I know you must have a busy life. I mean, obviously, you do, you’re the queen. But it would be nice to get to know you. Or am I asking too much?”
Ro hesitated. In her heart of hearts, she wanted a relationship with Dove. “No, you’re not asking too much. You’ll just have to understand that when it comes to me and your mother…”
Dove nodded. “You don’t have to explain. If our roles were reversed, I’m not sure we’d be having this conversation. The fact that you’re able to welcome us into your home is a true kindness. I promise that I will respect whatever boundaries you need to have with her.”
“Thank you.” Ro stared down the table. Star was next to Aunt Violet with Michael on her other side. “I’m sure, over time, things will change. But right now, I’ve got a lot of feelings to work through with her.”
“I can imagine.”
“After lunch, I’ll show you the apartment where you’ll be living.”
Dove’s grin widened. “I know I keep saying this, but I can’t believe this is all real. That we’re going to be living in a castle, that my husband and mother are still alive, and that my sister is the queen. It’s just crazy.”
“I promise, the day will come when it seems ordinary.”
Dove laughed. “I doubt that.”
As lunch wound down, footmen cleared the platters and plates, and another set brought dessert in. Trays of cookies, small cakes, and tarts were set all down the center of the table.
Mason and Kieran looked equally impressed.
Ro had taken a fruit tart for herself when a footman came to the side of her chair.
“Pardon me, your highness, but a letter has arrived for you from Malveaux.”
Ro straightened. “Bring it to me.”
“Yes, your highness.” He left, returning quickly with the missive on a small silver tray.
Ro took the letter and, with a glance at Gabriel, opened it and read.
Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft,
I write to you with a heart that is newly hopeful.
My mother, Queen Anyka, lives. The blade has been removed and, although she remains terribly weak, her will is strong. The healers tell me the days ahead will be difficult, but she has survived the worst of it.
These last days have forced me to reflect on the long and bitter path our kingdoms have walked.
So much blood has been spilled, and I find myself weary of it.
Watching my mother nearly slip into the Beyond has shown me how fragile even the strongest among us can be.
Perhaps it is time we speak not as enemies, but as queens who both carry the weight of our people’s futures.
I propose a private meeting. Neutral ground, with a small escort only.
No armies, no spectacle. Just you and I, and whomever you trust most at your side.
There are matters I wish to discuss that cannot safely be committed to paper — truths about old wounds that still fester, and about whether a different future is still possible for Radiant and Grym alike.
Name the time and place, and I will come. Wherever you wish, on the ground of your choosing, with every assurance of safe passage. My only request is that this meeting remain between us for now. There are those in both courts who would rather see continued war than any chance at peace.
I await your reply with more hope than I have felt in many long months.
For the sake of our families, our people, and the realms we both love,
Queen Beatryce Blackbryar
Regent of Malveaux
Ro folded the letter back up and stuck it in her pocket. Beatryce didn’t seem to be harboring any ill will over Ro’s refusal to send Nazyr back. That was good. Unless it was just a front. She sighed.
Gabriel’s brows lifted.
She shook her head. “Later.”
Because despite Beatryce’s requests, Ro would not be keeping this to herself. Neither she nor her mother had done anything to earn that level of trust.