Chapter 26 - Bedtime

“You can name the horses whatever you want, Vivianna,” Auden says, grinning at her. “Two days from now I’ll send for all of the horse dealers in the city to bring their best and you can pick.”

Niall wiggles disconsolately in my lap. I can tell that he is jealous.

“Perhaps,” I murmur, loud enough to get Auden’s attention. He looks at us. “Perhaps Niall could go with you, when Vivi picks,” I say softly, hoping he takes my meaning. “Maybe he will change his mind.”

“I won’t,” Niall murmurs, his face still tucked against me, but I smile at Auden and nod a little to let him know that he will.

We continue like this for a good little while, talking through what their new lives might be like, and Auden and I tell Vivi and Niall all about where they will go to school, and the new children they will meet – including two uncles and an aunt just around their age, which the children find very funny. But before long, I can sense that they’re getting tired.

“All right,” I say, working to stand up and