Page 17 of The Prodigal Prince

They stayed in the other waiting room for an extended period.

Mac wanted to sit with Fiona, to talk to her, maybe try to comfort her, but he kept his distance. She’d prefer it that way.

He’d never been overly close to his sister. The age gap, when combined with the differing expectations for the heir and the spare, meant their social circles rarely crossed.

So he kept his distance from her as well.

Eventually, Silas joined them. He sat in the next chair over, but didn’t speak. Mac simply observed everyone as they milled about and talked in hushed tones.

The sun had begun to set when someone entered the room and spoke quietly with King Edward. The king straightened then motioned to Fiona to follow him.

Mac stood, but didn’t move until the king beckoned him as well.

A moment later, they were led into yet another room to wait.

He’d grown up in a palace. There were rooms upon rooms upon rooms, but why didn’t they go to one of the same rooms they’d already been in? He supposed there was a reason, but had no idea what it could be.

It only took a moment for him to realize he and Fiona had been left alone.

“How are you holding up?”

She shrugged. “As well as I can, I guess. It’s been a long day, and I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep until I know Gray is okay.”

“Is there anything I can get for you? Some tea? Coffee? A soda? Water?”

Fiona shook her head. “I’m good.”

Mac walked to a table along one wall. It held several trays with snacks on them. He picked up a small plate and added a couple of pastries to it before pouring a glass of water and taking it to Fiona despite her earlier statement.

“I don’t think I can eat.”

Mac set the plate on the table next to her. “Try to take a few bites, but you really do need something to drink.” He crouched in front of her and held out the glass. “At least take a few sips.”

She hesitated then handed him the small bear as she took the glass of water. Holding it in both hands, Fiona took one sip then several more.

But Mac barely noticed. He’d held this bear before. Years earlier when it still had tags on it and hadn’t been nearly as loved yet. He brushed his thumb over the fur. The stuffing wasn’t evenly distributed like it had once been and the fur had been nearly rubbed off in some spots.

“It’s his favorite,” Fiona told him. “I’m not sure why. Someone sent it when he was born, but I never did find out who. He always loved it, even as a newborn.”

Mac took the glass of water back from her, exchanging it for the bear again. “I sent it. I didn’t think you’d accept something from me. I understood why, but still wanted to send him something. I had to try.”

Fiona grew contemplative. “Is it weird that it’s always been his favorite when we didn’t know it came from his father?”

“Stranger things have happened.”

“I suppose so.”

Mac set the water on a cloth napkin next to the plate of pastries. He wasn’t about to get water rings on an heirloom and inadvertently start a war. Sliding into the chair on the other side of the table, he tried to relax. “Tell me about him. What’s his favorite food? Favorite game? Favorite way to avoid bedtime?”

A small smile crossed Fiona’s face. Not as much as he’d hoped for, but something at least. “He always asks for a glass of water, then another story, then another song. By then he has to go to the bathroom again.”

Mac couldn’t help but grin. “Sounds a lot like me when I was little. I always wanted one more so I didn’t have to go to sleep.”

“I never had that problem. I always slept really well.” She picked at the ear. “His favorite food is pizza. His favorite game is Candyland, but he won’t admit it. He thinks it’s a baby game. He lovesBlue’s Clues, but thinks it’s too baby for him so he insists onPhineas and Ferbinstead. Both are good shows so I’m not complaining too much. He wants to be a big kid so badly, and he’s much closer to it than I want to admit.”

A door Mac could see but Fiona couldn’t opened letting in King Edward and...

Mac smiled and tilted his head toward them so Fiona would turn.

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