Page 227 of Sky’s Edge

I was realizing I needed to come to terms with the fact that, although my job had deskwork, most of the time I was on the floor, or meeting with artists, or caterers, florists and printers, if we had a showing coming up. Or wining and dining our clients.

Although Lua was comming frequently to ask what to do about this or that, since I’d asked her to take all my appointments while I was away, it felt more like I was intermittently training my replacement than doing my job from afar.

I knew this was in the cards. I’d even told Lua to make that extra effort so the way was clear for her promotion.

But it was becoming even clearer I was going to have to let go of the last vestiges of my life in Nocturn.

And that meant I should probably talk to Tanyn about putting my flat on the market.

Ulk.

I was circling my Palm end to end on the desk, and I watched my hand doing it.

I did this because I was procrastinating.

I had to quit procrastinating.

I had to know.

And there was only one person I could ask.

Therefore, it was time to let go of the last vestiges of something else.

As such, I commed my father.

He answered in one ring.

“I see Tanyn didn’t mess around with his response to that trash that was printed about you yesterday,” Dad said as greeting.

Wait.

What?

“Sorry?”

“The official announcement from the castle,” Dad said, then amended, “No, it was from the king.”

I knew, because Tanyn told me last night he’d talked Mira into staying. I also knew, again because he told me last night he’d tasked her with dealing with that issue.

I just didn’t know anything was done about it.

I put the Palm on speaker, reached to my lapcomp, and said, “That isn’t what I’m calling about.”

“What are you calling about? Are you and Tanyn all right?”

“We’re fine. We’re good,” I muttered distractedly as I read the headlines from the pane I’d pulled up.

King Tanyn Declares Lady Love Off-Limits.

Holy Hecate.

“Catla?” Dad called.

I tore my attention from the display of my comp and went back to Dad.

“I wanted to ask you something,” I told him.

“Ask away,” he invited.