Page 25 of The Prodigal Prince

A face appeared from the shadows of Fiona’s mind, and she nodded. She remembered Silas, but didn’t think they’d ever been officially introduced.

“He’ll be rewarded in some way. I’m not certain what just yet, but a high honor.”

Good. He’d surely helped keep Mac safe and protected her and Gray at the same time.

“Come on.” The queen used one hand to direct Fiona away from the area where Mac and Gray ate.

Back in the bedroom where Gray had slept the night before, Esme led Fiona to a door on the other side. “Through here is a lovely bathroom and a closet with a variety of clothes that should fit you. Take your time to get ready. My assistant will make certain you know where you need to be when.”

She held up a hand as Fiona started to protest. “There won’t be anything official on the schedule today. No trips beyond the walls, but dinner and perhaps a movie in the screening room.”

Relief washed over Fiona. “That sounds lovely.”

The queen left and Fiona looked around the beautifully appointed bathroom. She’d stayed in some nice places. She’dlivedin some nice places. None of them compared to this.

As much as she wanted to take a long soak in the tub, Fiona decided against it. She needed to be ready for her son if he needed her and to keep an eye on him with Mac. After a quick shower, she found a pair of leggings and a tunic style shirt to wear. Similar to something she’d wear for a day around the house, she didn’t know if comfortable clothes would be the best option for a day in a palace, but if they’d left them in her closet, it must be okay.

Right?

This time when she left the bedroom, Mac and Gray were sitting on the couch reading a book.

“Mama!” Gray saw her this time and jumped down to run to her.

Fiona laughed and swung him into her arms, trying not to groan. He really had grown too big to do it, but she didn’t care.

He leaned in an whispered. “Mama, this is acastle.”

“Yes, it is, buddy.”

“That man grew up here.”

“He did,” she confirmed.

“He’s my daddy?” Where was Gray going with this?

She nodded again.

“He’s a prince?”

Another nod.

Gray wrapped his arms around her neck. “Does that mean I’m a prince?”

8

It had been years since Mac wandered the palace, running up and down the wide hallways as a child or sulking through them as a teen, but he still knew many of the corridors by heart.

Most of them anyway.

The palace was far too large to remember all of it after such a long time. The areas he’d frequented were still familiar, though some of the tapestries and items on display had changed.

As he walked, he tried to smile and nod in acknowledgment to anyone who passed him. Most of the staff glanced his way, wide-eyed, but refused to look straight at him. A few of them looked familiar, but most didn’t.

Because they hadn’t worked there before he moved for university? Or because he hadn’t taken the time to know them well enough to remember them by sight, even if he’d never known them by name?

The second option disturbed Mac.

He could feel a difference in himself.

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