Page 24

When Fiona blinked awake,the bright shaft of light peeking through the crack in the curtains told her she’d slept far later than she meant.

Where was Mac? They’d talked for a few minutes before she dozed off. She’d asked questions about him. He’d deflected and asked about Gray.

She sat straight up.

Where was Gray? Surely he hadn’t slept nearly this long.

Scrambling out of the bed and heading for the door to the other bedroom, she called his name.

He didn’t reply.

It took everything in her to keep the panic pressed down. He had to be safe somewhere. No one could get into the palace to hurt him - or any of them.

But she needed to see him before she could know for sure.

Still wearing her pajamas, she hurried out into the main portion of the queen’s apartment.

Relief washed over her as she saw Gray sitting at a table with a plate of fruit in front of him. It took her a second to realize he sat next to Mac.

The two of them were huddled together, looking intently at one of the pieces of fruit on the table in front of Gray.

Mac pointed at one part of it, then another - the seeds? - and presumably told him something about the fruit. She couldn’t tell what kind of fruit, but likely something they didn’t have in Southwest Missouri.

She leaned against the door opening to her room with her arms crossed in front of her as she watched the thing she’d wanted for so long.

It shocked her that Mac was the one with Gray. She’d figured she would meet a nice guy, they’d start dating, then he’d choose to take on the role of father to Gray.

“He’s good with Gray.”

Fiona turned to see the queen holding out a coffee mug for her. “Thank you.”

“I’ve missed my brother,” the queen went on. “I don’t pretend to entirely understand why he disappeared. I hope he’ll trust me enough to tell me someday. But I did hear enough to know that he kept an eye on both of you.” She sipped her coffee. “That sounds more like my brother. To do what he had to in order to protect his family.”

Taking a sip of the steaming liquid in her own cup, Fiona considered that. “I’m not his family. Only in the sense that Gray is his family, and I’m Gray’s mother.”

Queen Esmeralda shook her head. “No. You’re Mac’s family, too. Not just because you’re his son’s mother, but because you just are.”

It hit Fiona that she hadn’t addressed the queen properly. “Your Majesty...”

“Please call me Esme in private, Fiona. As I said, you’re family.”

Despite her celebrity status, Fiona never expected to be on a first name basis with royalty - outside of Mac - much less be considered family.

Mac glanced over, an uncertain look crossing his face. Fiona smiled and nodded, hoping he understood that she wasn’t going to interrupt his time with Gray.

“Mac is good with him.” The queen took another drink of her coffee. She tilted her head toward them. “I’m not surprised.”

“We’ll get out of your hair as soon as I can arrange a flight home.” Fiona didn’t want them to overstay their welcome and irritating the queen wasn’t high on her list of things to do.

“Nonsense. I want to get to know my nephew. My children would like to get to know their cousin - or they would if they were old enough to understand. I’m sure Gabe does as well.” Esme smiled at Fiona. “Please stay for a few days.”

Fiona nodded slowly. “We were supposed to be in San Majoria a little while longer. Tinsley will be here, unless you’d rather she go home instead of here.”

The queen stifled a smile. “We have plenty of room. Tinsley and Silas will be here this evening.”

Silas? Fiona searched the recesses of her mind. The queen expected her to know who he was.

“Silas has been one of Mac’s protection officers for many years. He disappeared with Mac and hadn’t been seen since until the other day. Silas stayed with his protectee regardless.”