Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Apparently, this new situation with her father having a woman in his life was not going to faze his daughter.
At least that was some relief.
Cass grinned at his girl as he heard Mac, Jazz, Ian, Hera and Rose laugh quietly around him.
His grin did not last long when his attention went back to Elena to see she was in a silent contest of wills with her ward.
“We don’t have to—” he began.
“You do. You will,” Elena cut him off not taking her gaze from her girl. “Theodora, are you going to come here so I can introduce you to Prince Cassius?”
Dora didn’t move.
Elena tensed.
Cass was about to say something.
Then Theodora stomped down to Elena.
But she did not allow Elena to introduce her.
In a defiant, but wounded and even perhaps frightened voice, she admitted, “I don’t like being away from you.”
Elena instantly melted (this not at all surprising) and smoothed the girl’s golden hair from crown to the back of her neck.
“I go on patrol all the time,” she reminded her.
“But that’s close,” Dora muttered.
Cassius was realizing, belatedly, even more than he already had, the mistake he made in sending Dora away without letting Elena see to her.
He again was about to say something, take responsibility for his decision, but as if she was attuned to him, Elena’s eyes darted his way and she gave a short shake of her head.
He remained quiet.
“If Cassius and I think it is safe, you and Aelia can come to Prince True’s wedding with us.”
“Really, Papa?” Aelia asked excitedly.
He nodded down to her.
“All right, Dora?” Elena prompted.
“All right,” Dora mumbled to the toes of her moccasins.
“Speak clearly,” Elena ordered gently. “And look at me when you do.”
Dora lifted her head. “All right, Ellie.”
Ellie.
Evidently, hostilities were at an end.
“Now, can I have a hug?” Elena requested.
Theodora wrapped her arms around Elena’s hips for a brief moment and let go.
But Cass noticed when she had a hold, she held hard and closed her eyes tight.
“Right, shall we meet the future king of Airen?” Elena suggested.
“I ’spose,” Dora muttered, glancing at him from under her lashes.
Elena, wisely, Cassius suspected, let that one go.
Upon introduction, he swept a low bow as Elena had done to Aelia, which he was pleased to see made her lips tick, though she tried to hide it.
Aelia boisterously greeted his men, further introductions were performed, and Theodora seemed unimpressed with Mac, but captivated by Ian.
And after Ophelia announced they were to take tea in her receiving room, with an audience of many silently watching, they moved to the stairs of the grand treehome, the girls walking before Elena and Cassius, Mac and Ian behind them, and he heard Mac say to Ian, “Well, you caught the eye of at least one Nadirii.”
“Shut up, mate,” Ian retorted.
Mac chuckled.
Cass looked to Elena.
He was again not surprised her mind was no longer on her ward.
Her gaze was riveted to her mother’s back.
Ophelia’s health had worsened visibly in the weeks since they left her. She was thin to the point of gaunt and her battle with pain was beginning to contort her attractive features.
He took Elena’s hand and murmured, “We’ll talk later, lamb.”
Her gaze drifted to him and she nodded up at him silently.
“Hear that Dora?” Aelia whispered loudly. “‘Lamb.’ I told you Papa was dreamy.”
“He would be dreamy, he’s moonshine,” Dora replied.
“And you were right!” Aelia cried. “He’s moonshine, and Princess Elena is sunshine!”
Cass looked down at Ellie.
She kept ascending the stairs, murmuring, “I’ll tell you later.”
This meant, but moments after she spoke her words, Prince Cassius of Airen did something he never thought he’d do in his life.
He entered the Nadirii Queen’s home.
And he did it smiling.
“Do you think they’re asleep?” Elena whispered.
“No,” Cass only sort of whispered.
“Do you find this odd?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think they find this odd?”
“Perhaps. However, Aelia is in fits of glee. She’s not stuck in a lifeless castle with no one to play with. The woman who will help raise her can make doves fly from her hand. And she has a sister.” He dropped his voice lower. “Dora’s mother left her once, and didn’t come home, and I’m an arsehole for sending her away from you after an attack on the castle and the worst quake we’ve felt without you getting the chance to explain things to her.”
Ellie, resting her chin to her crossed arms on his chest, his back to her bed, head up on her pillows, pushed down with her arms and replied, “It’s done. We’re moving on.”
Cass sighed.
He then brushed the backs of his finger against her cheek and changed their subject, going gently.
“Your mother has worsened.”
She turned her head so she could rest her cheek to her arms.
He curved his hand along her jaw.
“Ellie.”
“I have that medicine that G’Liam gave me. I shall ask one of our healers to test it, and if it is all right, give it to her.”