Page 100 of The Pacifist
“You think we can?”
Pearl arched an eyebrow. “We have to!” She left us with a soft “Good night. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Mila eased back and looked up at me. “I’m so glad you came.”
My smile beamed back at her. “So am I.”
“Hi, Mila, my name is Anne.”
Mila became flustered. “I’m so sorry, you must think me rude for forgetting my manners like this.” Shaking her head, she took both of Anne’s hands. “Welcome. We are delighted to have you here in the Northlands and we hope you’ll find peace surrounding you.”
“Thank you. May peace surround you too. I’m excited to be here. It’s so exotic.”
Turning to Neptune and Kal-El, Mila grinned. “Did you hear that?”
They laughed. “Doesn’t feel exotic to us.”
“Neptune and Kal-El, will you follow us with the luggage?”
“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that. I’m happy to carry my own bag. It’s not heavy.” I reached for my blue bag and Kal-El handed it over.
“I can take my bag too,” Anne offered Neptune but the blond guard pulled it back. “Please, it would be my honor.”
Mila and I walked up the stairs shoulder to shoulder, followed by Anne and Neptune. We didn’t talk much but just kept smiling at each other.
“Anne, this is the room I picked out for you. It has a view of the garden and is the largest of the guest suites on this floor.” Opening the door, Mila stepped aside and let Anne look into one of the roomy guestrooms that I’d stayed in before.
“That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”
“My room is seven doors down.” Mila pointed to the left. “You’ll see a big happy dog face on the door that says ‘This room is filled with kisses, wagging tails, wet noses, and love.’ Please just knock if you need anything.”
Neptune went inside the room to place Anne’s bag on the bed.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine, but thank you, Mila. Good night, you two.”
When Neptune came back out from the room, he gave Anne another charming smile. “I hope you’ll have a nice stay here. If there’s anything I can help with let me know, please.”
“You’re so sweet, Neptune.” Anne lifted up on her toes and hugged him. I stood behind her and saw the surprise on Neptune’s face and how his ears grew red.
Clearing her throat, Mila spoke in a soft voice, “Anne, a small piece of advice. Don’t hug the guards in front of my dad or uncle.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, but Neptune said he doesn’t mind touching me and I’m a natural hugger.”
“Yeah, me too. But the soldiers are working and my dad says it’s a distraction.”
I swallowed a grin because the stunned look on Neptune’s face confirmed that he was heavily distracted.
“I’m sorry, Neptune, I won’t do it again.” Anne left us in the hallway and closed the door to her room.
“None of the others are going to believe that she hugged me.” His hands were trembling and he looked more like a teenage boy than a grown soldier.
“It doesn’t matter what they believe. It happened.” Mila gave a light chuckle. “Thank you for picking up my friends. I was going to wish you pleasant dreams tonight, but I don’t think that will be necessary.”
They smiled at each other and then he jogged down the corridor away from us.
“Do you know the name of every guard in the castle?”
“It’s not a castle, and yes, I know them all by name.”
