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“She’s very pretty,” Meryk said.
“Yeah?”
“She’s a teacher,” Jace added, and I pursed my lips with interest.
My brother hadn’t mentioned anything about seeing someone new the last time we’d talked. I couldn’t wait to hear about this.
“She sounds wonderful.”
The center of Geldon passed us by, and through my peripheral vision, I noted with satisfaction that the upgrades to the city park had finally been completed.
Glynda’s House and the Community Center, named after my mother, were both up and running now, the funds free-flowing from donors kingdom-wide ever since I had gotten the ball rolling with my charity. I barely recognized downtown anymore.
The outline of the palace came into view through the tint of the windows, and I had to admit that the beauty of the building always took my breath away, even after all these years. I’d lived in it for the first fourteen years of my life, and I still couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and peace.
“Maybe we should call Uncle Saint and his new friend and invite them over for dinner tonight,” I suggested when the car entered the gates of the palace.
Jace made a sound, and I turned to look at him, catching the disapproving look on his face.
“Or not?” I backpedaled.
“I was hoping to have a night with you alone,” he answered honestly, and I grinned.
“Did I say tonight? I meant tomorrow night.” I winked, and he exhaled, relieved.
The vehicle stopped, and our driver let us out, the second car following with our guard and other staff behind.
Several servants moved in to take my bags, and the nanny reached for Meryk.
“Go with Brandi now, Mer, and I’ll be up in a few minutes,” I told him when he protested. “I promise. I just want to talk to Daddy for a few minutes, okay?”
Meryk eyed me suspiciously, but I offered him a pinky, and he took it. “Pinky swear,” I added, and we bonded on it.
Brandi and Meryk disappeared into the palace, leaving me and Jace alone in the courtyard, his arms finally wrapping around my waist. I buried my head in his shoulder, dropping my face against the pulse of his neck.
“It did feel like a week,” I agreed now that our son was out of earshot.
“Any time away from you is too long.” He held me tightly. “How long until your next show?”
Drawing back, I looked at him, a small smile touching the edges of my lips.
“That depends?—”
My sentence cut off as a plume of red smoke appeared in my peripheral vision. The kingdom’s enchantress materialized before I could finish what I was going to say.
“Elix! You’re back!” Cirilla cooed, sashaying forward, her multicolored braids bouncing over her pantsuit. “How was Ironhelm?”
“Good. The king and queen were as gracious as always.”
“I’m glad to hear it. We have several palace matters to attend to now that you’re home—” the no-nonsense enchantress began, but it was Jace who stopped her.
“Nope. Not now,” he cut her off. “She just walked in the door. Whatever it is, if it’s not on fire, it can wait.”
Cirilla grimaced. “Well, it’s?—”
“Is it on fire?” Jace insisted. Cirilla scowled and folded her arms over her chest, her violet eyes flashing. “Good. Then it can wait. Come on, my love. You and I have a glass of wine with our names on it in my study.”
Without waiting for Cirilla to respond, Jace took my hand and led me into the palace as I glanced back at the annoyed enchantress.
