Page 67 of Midnightsong
-Have a group of experts attend public events and town halls where Mr. Vester is personally in attendance,
-Peaceful protests or rallies,
-Collaborate with local mer advocacy groups.
“We’ll gauge the audience’s response to each, and we will do the top two, so as not to overwhelm everyone,” Dr. Williams finished. “You both ready? I think we’ve kept them waiting long enough.”
“You got it,” Reesa said, rubbing her hands together with an expression of glee.
Angie practiced her box breathing techniques to calm herself down and took one last look at her notes.
She nodded, and with a racing heart and clammy hands, stepped to the lectern to begin.
“We did it! That was awesome!” Reesa’s words trailed out on a single exhale when they were finished, and the audience had begun to line up to talk to them. Dr. Williams stood at the front, addressing the first people in line, while Angie stayed back with Reesa in the meantime.
“I can’t believe that was such a success! The response was amazing.” Angie couldn’t hide the excitement from her voice as Reesa pulled her in for a brief hug.
They agreed on a petition everyone in the room would sign and social media posts.
“You did great. I know you said you get nervous with presentations, but I couldn’t tell.” Reesa’s dark brown eyes twinkled.
“I aspire to be like you and Dr. Williams one of these days. You both are so good in front of people,” Angie said, wistfully.
“Well, I love public speaking. And it is Dr. Williams’ job, so do with that what you will.” Reesa gave Angie a light punch in her upper arm. “Now come on. Let’s go mingle.”
When Angie left the building, a lightness overtook her, feeling as if she was walking on clouds. Again, her first instinct was to share the news with Kaden.
Still, thinking of him brought a heady rush of emotion, and she pursed her lips.
Not yet. She wasn’t ready. The hurt dissipated some, but enough was still there, causing her to hedge at the idea of calling him.
Angie brushed away the feeling and turned her mind to their victories.
Twenty-Nine
Kaden
Kaden made a slow circle aroundthe palace, his movements torpid. He had planned to pace himself and conserve his energy, but he was moving slower than a dwarf haima.
Blowing out a stream of bubbles, he traveled back to his room. A partial sculpture of a zhangyu sat nestled in a clawed setting from his table, half their body and four tentacles missing.
A gift for Angie—in the hope they would come together again soon. Yet he couldn’t find the motivation to finish it.
A knock on his door drew his attention and he slid it open. Adrielle floated outside holding Hadrien’s hand.
“Hi susu!” Hadrien piped up as soon as their gazes met. His tiny rose tail flicked side to side. “We visit!”
“A visit from my handsome nephew and his mom? How can I say no?” Kaden smiled, reaching out to ruffle Hadrien’s hair and give him a tickle on his small ribs, and his nephew giggled in response. He turned to Adrielle, and after greeting her, asked “Want to come in?”
“Ah, no, thank you. I came to see if you’d want to come for dinner with us.”
Kaden’s heart thumped with consternation at the mention of his brother. “Now?”
“Well, yes.” A corner of Adrielle’s lips tugged up into a semblance of a smile, and she turned her head into her elbow to stifle a yawn. “He told me what happened, when the two of you spoke. You know as well as I do how he is. He loves you and worries and cares for you and sometimes he—well, he doesn’t express it in the most eloquent way.”
Kaden pursed his lips. “I wasn’t in a good mental place when I spoke to him, and his words didn’t help. But I talked to Saeryn afterward, and I feel better.”
He swore a shadow crept over the princess’ face. “Your uncle has a silver tongue, I hear.” She motioned to her right side with her head. “Are you joining us?”
