Page 93 of Enchanted Heir
I snapped my head toward him. “Youdance?”
“When I am not trying to keep a certain consort alive, yes.” Owen nodded solemnly, making my mother laugh.
I shook my head, not knowing if I should believe him or not.
I saw Ivy Westhaver arrive, or I guess she was IvyArquisenow since she got married. I wanted to say hello, so I hopped up. “I’ll be right back.”
“Not without me you don’t,” Owen mumbled, rising, and walking with me.
I was shocked he didn’t bring his food. “You don’t have to worry about anyone hurting me here, Owen. Really, it’s okay. You can relax tonight,” I reminded him. It seemed like he’d been attached to my hip since I stepped a foot outside that carriage.
Owen gestured with his head toward the other guards. “It’s them or me, honey.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”
“Ivy,” I smiled, switching my attention to her. “I just wanted to say hello.” Being the only two Nerede women to be selected for that first assemblage ball had bonded us.
“Jorah!” she went to hug me but then stopped, cautiously looking at Owen.
I hugged her anyway. “Don’t worry about him. How are you?”
She smiled back at me. “I am well. How is the castle?”
“Still big,” I laughed. “And I still have no idea what I’m doing there.”
Ivy’s eyes wandered to Krew behind me. “Well, you must be doing something right.”
If only she knew. “Thanks.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, where are my manners?” she said, looking at her new husband who was waiting at her side. “You know Jeremy, right?”
Jeremy gave me a nod and reached a hand over to shake my hand though we had met before. He lightly tapped twice on my wrist as he did, and I wanted to gasp or smile, but tried to keep my face neutral.
“Well, I will let the two of you eat, I just wanted to say hello before I lost you in the crowd.”
“It’s good to see you!” Ivy moved to hug me again. Then she added, “Stay safe up there, Jorah.”
Not wanting her to think I was in danger from Krew, I looked back at Krew before smiling at her. “I am now. Thanks.”
As we walked back over to the table to finish eating, Owen whispered, “Did he—”
“Yes.”
“I thought I picked up on that,” he said quietly.
“So it begins.”
It was a reminder that though we were here for the festival and for people to see I was alive and well, we were also here to work.
CHAPTER24
“Ms. Jorah!”
Hearing that voice, my eyes went to Krew’s where he stood speaking to three Nerede men, and I grinned before I spun just in time to see Warrick hurtling toward me full speed. The orphanage children had finally arrived at the Harvest Festival.
“Warrick!” I greeted as he tackled my legs. If he got much bigger, he might actually knock me to the ground. “How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here!” He hugged me again even harder. “I miss you so much.”
