The boy closed his eyes, lids fluttering. “I see…an heir. A young prince for Highcrest. Two princes, actually. Twins.”
Nick and I exchanged a panicked glance. Hearing that children were suddenly in my future caused a rattle of panic through my chest. Babies? Why would I want that? Cramps were painful enough, let alone pushing out a human from my v—
The boy wrinkled his brow, eyes still closed in contemplation. “Or no heir. I don’t see that anymore.” Oliver opened his eyes, bowing at the waist. “My apologies, Your Majesties. Sometimes the visions change, and I don’t—”
“You’re hired,” I said. “See that bushy eyebrow’d man there with the spectacles? His name is Ricks. He’ll put you on the roll.”
Oliver bounced on his heels, tugging at the lapels of his oversized, clearly hand-me-down dress coat. “Thank you, Your Graces!”
After he departed, Nicholas leaned over. “What was that about? The boy couldn’t make up his mind, yet you hired him?” His forehead creased as he held a questioning smile.
“He changed his mind becauseIchanged my mind. He saw it in real time. That’s quite impressive.”
My husband reached over and squeezed my hand. “What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”
I leaned back in my chair, acting acutely casual. “I guess you’re not the only one to keep secrets now.” I settled, looking aloof.
Nick laughed and shook his head. “I don’t think you’ll have to wait long bef—”
“WE’RE ENGAGED!” Melody ran through the open doors, holding up her hand to flaunt the sparkly ring on her finger.
“Well, that was faster than I expected,” Nick said, rising to his feet.
Tio jogged in behind her, his new glazed walnut wood prosthetic completely exposed.
“You waited all of five minutes?” Nicholas asked Tio.
He shrugged, catching up with his fiancée. “What can I say?”
I ran down the dais, embracing my sister while showering her with congratulations. “To both of you!” I hugged Tio as well.
“Congratulations, Melody,” Nick said, embracing my sister.
“I’m assuming I should thank you as well, Nicholas. This ring is…very fine indeed.”
“Ouch, sunshine. You wound me.” Tio faked an injury to his chest.
“Surely you wouldn’t have stolen my engagement ring?” She rose a brow pointedly at her mischievous fiancé.
He wrapped his hands greedily around her waist, pulling her close. “Sunshine, I would steal the moon if it’d make you smile.” He kissed her through his roguish grin.
Her smile beamed brighter than all the jewels in the castle.
My husband ignored the question, refusing to take any of the spotlight. “So it fits well, this one?” he asked Tio, gesturing to the new prosthetic. My new brother-in-law had rolled his pant leg, revealing the shiny walnut wood, and pinned the cuffs.
“It’s the nicest one yet. Too nice to cover up with pants. And now, it’s the leg I proposed in, and I will wear it loud and proud.” Tio pulled Melody in for another celebratory kiss, dipping her low. Her smile didn’t falter as they kissed unabashedly in front of respectable company. I’d never seen her so happy.
A messenger had snuck in during our chat, whispering to Ricks, who promptly got up with a squeal and shuffled over to us. “Excuse me, Lady Nora, but I have some exciting news. The Shen Home for Families is officially complete.”
Was it possible for a heart to explode from happiness? Because if so, I was bordering the line. As part of my project to eliminate homelessness in South Harbor, we’d stocked the soup kitchen and begun building a shelter. I’d named it after my mother and father, a memorial to the loving home they’d provided me growing up.
“Congratulations, my lady.” Nicholas pulled me close to his side and placed a kiss on my cheek. “Shall we go see it after we finish here?”
“Oh, I’d love to see it, Nora,” Melody said, arms wrapped around Tio’s waist.
I peered up at my husband. “I’ve built something,” I whispered, proud of the accomplishment that a mere year ago would have been my wildest dream.
“You’ve done amazing,” Nick said, taking hold of my hand and gently rubbing his thumb along it. “And that’s just the start.”
