Chapter 43 - Toughening Up

My mouth goes a little dry as I panic –

Because this is absolutely what I did not want –

I do not want, in any way, Mahl drawing lines between Auden and me. Perhaps if enough time passes I can pretend that our friendship and my relationship with the children grew naturally over time –

But it looks like that plan has been neatly foiled, doesn’t it?

Working hard to not let my panic show, I force a smile onto my face and take a step toward the King without any idea what the hell I’m going to say.

But Vivi – thank goodness – saves me.

“Grandpapa!” she shouts, dashing away from the gigantic horse and throwing herself at her equally gigantic grandfather, Coco flapping to keep his balance on her shoulder. Vivi wraps her arms around Mahl’s leg and beams up at him while Niall works to hide behind me, still afraid. “Make daddy let me have the horse! He says it’s too big, but it’s not!”

Mahl laughs down at Vivi and then bends to scoop her up into his arms. “Really?” Mahl says, considering Vivi c