Page 93 of Rule

“Yes,” I said.

She stared at me, her little eyebrows drawingdown. “Papa sad?”

I didn’t reply and she reached out and tookmy hand. “Papa no sad, okay?”

“Okay, meena,” I said.

My tablet was on the table and it buzzedwith a new message as Court walked into the kitchen. He bent and pressed a kissagainst Bella’s cheek. “Hi, Bella.”

“Hi, Uda. Look – light!” Bella grabbed hishand and put it in the beam of sunlight.

Court smiled at her. “Yes, light.”

Her brow furrowed again, and she stared atCourt and then at me. “Uda sad too?”

Court touched the top of her head. “No,meena. We are not sad.”

I grabbed my tablet and read the message.My stomach churned, and I glanced up at Court who took one look at my face andsaid, “The king?”

I nodded. “Yes. They are coming for herthis afternoon.”

Court’s face twisted and his hands turnedto fists. I waited for him to bring up his plan to leave again. My panic and dismaymade me think it might actually be a good plan, but he only said, “You need toreply back to them.”

I shut off my tablet. “Not now.”

“Bran, you can’t -”

“Not now,” I repeated. “They are coming whetherI reply back or not.”

“Hi, Evie girl!”

Court and I turned to see Evelyn standingin the doorway. She crossed the kitchen and bent and kissed Bella’s cheek. “Hello,baby.”

She smiled at us and pressed a kiss againstboth of our cheeks then walked to the window to stare out of it. She lifted herface to the sun and basked in its warmth before turning to us. “They messaged,didn’t they? That’s what you were talking about when I came in.”

“Yes,” I said. “They will be here thisafternoon.”

Her lips pressed together and for a moment,it looked like she was going to cry. She took a deep breath, pinched thebridge of her nose and pasted a smile on her face. “All right.”

She crossed to Bella and picked her up, restingher on her hip and smiling down at her. “I love you, Bella.”

Bella grinned at her. “Bella loves Eviegirl.”

“Do you think after breakfast we could gooutside for a little bit? If I borrowed some warmer clothes from you or Court?I would love to get some fresh air,” Evelyn said.

I nodded. “Yes. It is still very cold out,but we could go outside for a while.”

“Good.” She kissed Bella’s cheek. “Are youhungry, sweet girl?”

“Yes! Bella wants poffin bread and juice!”Bella shouted.

“Then you’ll have poffin bread and juice,” Evelynsaid with a small smile.

* * *

“Bran, something must have gone wrong. Itis almost ten.” Court paced the living room. “Check your tablet again.”

“I just checked. There has been no furthercommunication,” I said.

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