Page 57 of The Heart of the King

“Do what you’re told when you’re told. Don’t wander off.”

Astrid pulled her daughter closer to her. “Why don’t you wander off?”

“Because ships can be dangerous. There are engines and other stuff where you could get hurt if you’re not careful or know what you’re doing.” Sofia’s head hung low.

“Exactly. Fortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be anything too bad. This time. Next time, who knows.” Astrid held her daughter more tightly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mummy.”

Justin - wasn’t that the head of Benjamin’s security team? - walked in, a grim look on his face. “I need all of you to come with me right now, please.”

The please was perfunctory. They had no choice in the matter.

A few minutes later, they were in the toy storage area where they were told they’d be waiting for the time being. The smaller boat was being winched out into the ocean, though Jazz had no idea how women in heels, especially one as pregnant as Katrín, were going to get into the other boat.

The weather wasn’t stormy by any means, but it wasn’t calm either.

“What’s going on?” Benjamin asked Justin.

Justin gathered the three monarchs around him. Edward, Benjamin, and Esme stood in a small knot. It irritated Jazz that the rest of them weren’t being told what was going on, but she suspected it was a part of royal life she was going to have to get to used to.

But it worried her.

“What are they talking about?” she asked the other two women standing with her. “And why don’t they include all of us?”

Astrid shrugged. “It’s part of life. Sometime there’s a security reason. Sometimes it’s a clearance issue. I’m the Crown Princess, and I don’t get to know everything. I didn’t even know the truth about my mother’s accident until a couple of hours before the public did.”

“That had to be difficult.” Katrín pressed her hand into her side again. “There’s a lot of things Benjamin can’t talk to me about. If we need to know, they’ll tell us.”

“I don’t think I like that.” Jazz sighed. “But are you sure you’re all right?”

“He or she is pushing on my side, like she’s trying to get out, but I have a while yet before I’m due. The contractions aren’t bad and aren’t real. More like Braxton-Hicks.”

“That’s good.” Not that Jazz knew what she was talking about from personal experience.

“How are things going for you and David?” Katrín leaned against a small ledge. “I’m guessing you hadn’t known each other long before you eloped.”

Jazz shook her head. “Not long at all.”

“Benjamin and I met once before his uncle, in a twisted form of revenge, sent out an announcement about our engagement. I was still running the commercial dishwasher in one of the kitchens.”

That gave Jazz some hope. They were clearly in love. Maybe she and David would be like that someday.

“Jordan and I were forced into marriage because of public opinion and ancient laws and paparazzi photos of us making out on the beach.” She shrugged. “God works in mysterious ways sometimes.”

“Yes, He does.” Katrín leaned her head back against the wall. “But I wish He’d clue us in a bit more sometimes.”

“Amen.” The little knot of monarchs broke up and walked to where Jazz stood.

“We don’t need to get on the other boat yet,” Edward told them. “But we need to be ready.”

“What’s going on?” Astrid sounded demanding. “This is clearly more than a seven-year-old who got stuck playing hide and seek.”

“It is,” Edward confirmed. He looked at Sofia. “I need you to go with Mrs. Sneedly for the moment, please.”

Sofia stepped carefully away from Astrid and went to stand with Mrs. Sneedly.

“What’s going on, Papa?” Astrid asked more softly this time.

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