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“Yes, I am aware.” I was marrying four years later than I’d planned into a much more complicated family than I’d thought. “I am sorry if it is infuriating, but I do not know what else to say.”
“They shall eat you alive.” She sighed heavily. “Especially that stepmother of his, the dowager duchess. Mama was greatly displeased that she had to invite her to the reception. She believes the woman to be deeply cruel-hearted and full of evil intent. And I agree with Mama, for anyone who did as she did and tortured the former real duchess, Lady Luella, is wholeheartedly despicable. Do not trust her at any cost, for she is like the snake in the Garden of Eden.”
“Is there anything else?” I tried not to laugh at her.
“Yes, you—”
Knock. Knock.
“Come in,” Hathor answered even though it was my room. When the door opened, we saw the faces of Devana and Abena.
I sat up. “What are you both doing?”
“Can we stay with you?” Devana asked while Abena was already halfway onto the bed.
“Of course.” I laughed, shifting to allow Abena to situate herself in between Hathor and me.
Devana closed the door and also came to lie between Hathor and me.
“What are you two talking about?” Abena asked.
“How to lose you in the forest,” Hathor muttered.
“I already know how to do that. I would just leave food for her.” I laughed, making the rest of them, except for Abena, giggle.
“Or tell Mama she’s the one who ruined her favorite shoes. She would run for sure into the forest then,” Devana said.
Even in the darkness, I could see Abena pout.
“Why are you all picking on me?” she asked.
I hugged her tightly. “Because you are the littlest, and I’m mad at you for teasing Evander today.”
Hathor chuckled. “I cannot believe you mocked the duke.”
Abena gasped. “I did not.”
“Yes, you did,” Devana confirmed.
“All I said was that if he kept looking at Odite so hard, he would trip and fall on his face. And no one wants a face full of dirt for a wedding.”
“That is teasing,” we all told her.
She crossed her arms as we laughed at her. “Everyone always says I am teasing when I’m just talking,” she grumbled.
I understood how she felt.
“Talk less then,” Hathor suggested.
“I do not want to. I like talking.”
“We know,” all of us said in unison once more, which had us laughing and giggling. With the four of us in bed together, I nearly fell off the side but did not mind. Hathor was right. This was the last time we could be like this…the Du Bell girls. We would soon have our own homes, with our own families, and we would be mamas. It was so surreal to think that, but I was on my way.
We talked and talked, and I felt as if I had only just closed my eyes before I heard a terrifying voice.
“What is this?”
“Umm…”
