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“The Tandroki are my people.” He wondered uneasily if he should disclose his mixed heritage, but soothed his conscience by deciding that it would mean nothing to her. “I am Subcommander Jackasarian D’Frostulen.”
Her eyes widened and then she smiled at him.
“That’s quite a mouthful. I can see why Lorna was confused. Is it all right to call you Jack instead?”
He considered the matter. The shortening of his name was a familiarity that no one had ever taken, but he liked the sound of it on her lips.
“You may,” he said, attempting to bow his head graciously before he remembered the pain of moving. He couldn’t entirely hide his reaction and her hand returned to his brow, her cool fingers soothing away the pain.
“Stop trying to move. Would you like something to drink?”
The question reminded him of the dryness of his mouth and throat but he refused to let his eagerness show.
“That would be acceptable.”
“I’ll get it,” Merry said and dashed off into the other room.
The others remained with him. Johnny leaned against the wall, his arms folded and suspicion in every line of his body. The twins leaned against the boy’s legs, watching him with big eyes, while Lorna hovered at Katerina’s elbow.
“But you are Jack Froth, aren’t you? I know you are,” Lorna said eagerly. “And if you’re here, that meanth ith almoth time for the Longeth Night.”
“The Longest Night? And who is Jack Frost?”
Katerina smiled. “The Longest Night is the turning of the year. We celebrate with festivities.”
“And prethenth,” Lorna interrupted. “I got a prethent once.”
Once? If the celebration occurred every year, why had she only received one present? His female had obviously picked up on it as well, because she put her arm around the girl and hugged her.
“Yes, there are presents on the Longest Night.”
“For us too?” one of the twins whispered, slipping over to join them.
Katerina looked at him and he could clearly read the sorrow on her face, just as clearly as he could see the hope on the children’s faces.
“I am sure that there will be presents for everyone,” he said recklessly. After all, how hard would it be to find something to please them?
“I like presents too,” Merry said cheerfully, returning with a mug in her hands.
“Of course you do,” the boy scoffed and stalked off into the other room.
“What’s the matter with Johnny?” Cecelia asked.
“He’s just mean,” Merry muttered, but Katerina shook her head.
“Maybe he never got any presents either,” she said softly.
Merry looked stricken, but she pressed the mug at Katerina.
“Here’s the water.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Katerina looked at him, then turned to the children. “Why don’t you go and check on Johnny? I’ll be out in a few minutes to start breakfast.”
“Okay. Bye, Jack Froth.” Lorna said cheerfully and herded the twins out of the room. Merry reluctantly followed them, and then Katerina smiled at him.
“I’m going to help you lift your head so you can drink. And don’t tell me you can do it,” she added with mock severity. “It will be our secret.”
