“No. I…uh.” Crap. I should not be here with these girls. I search around, but it’s still just us, and I turn back to her. “My dad wandered in, and someone went to get him for me. I was admiring some of your beautiful art while I was waiting. Which makes this even more distressing for me.” I frown, my gaze casting back to the ruined statue sitting on the floor by my knees. My fingers glide over the rough white edge where the nose used to be. This is bad. This is seriously fucking bad.
“Papa is going to be upset,” Sabrina says, skipping over to us and taking to the floor on the other side of me, crossing her legs. “When I broke Mama’s old perfume bottle, he was furious. He told me I made the whole bedroom stink. I didn’t get dessert that night.”
“Oh,” I say gently, smiling softly at her even though I’m completely freaking out on the inside. She really is adorable. They both are. “That must have been disappointing.”
She shrugs. “It happens a lot.”
“That’s because you get in trouble a lot,” Phaedra chastises.
Another shrug from Sabrina, this time coupled with a nod. “It’s true. Tante Althea says sometimes I can’t seem to help myself. Papa says it’s from being a middle child like Oncle Rowan.”
I giggle lightly at the way she speaks about the king’s younger brother, Prince Rowan, who has a reputation as a bit of a bad boy. “I wouldn’t know about any of that, I’m an only child.”
“Then who do you play with?” Phaedra asks innocently.
“Myself, most of the time,” I answer truthfully.
“Don’t you get bored?”
Yes. Lonely, even though I’m pretty good at being a loner by this point. I tell myself that what I have is enough, but I still haven’t been able to shake feeling so lost all the time. I crinkle my nose. “It’s not so bad. I read a lot. But certainly, it’s not as fun as having siblings. What’s it like having a little brother?”
“He’s loud,” Sabrina informs me, matching my crinkled nose expression. “And he fusses a lot.”
“I’m sure he adores his big sisters though,” I tell her. “He must look up to everything you two do since you’re both so smart and beautiful and have so much to teach him.”
“What’s your name?” Phaedra asks.
“Bellamy. What’s yours?” I question in return, though I already know it.
“I’m Princess Phaedra of the house of Alarie. This is my little sister, Princess Sabrina, also of the house of Alarie. I am to be queen one day.”
“I know. It is a great honor to meet you, princess and future queen.” I bow my head to them since I’m still sitting on the floor. “Your names are lovely and have great meaning. Phaedra was a princess who became the queen of Athens. The name means bright. And Sabrina, your name means legendary princess. Fitting for both of you, aren’t they?” What I don’t tell them is that Phaedra was a Cretan princess who was cursed for good reason, but I don’t think that’s the story for them right now.
“Oh. You’re a queen and I’m a legendary princess.” Sabrina bounces and claps her hands excitedly. “Did you know that your name means beautiful friend in French?”
“I did know that, and I like to think it’s true.” I wink at them. “I also speak French, though I’m American. I teach English in your country to children a little older than you.”
Both girls exchange looks and smile at each other before turning back to me. Phaedra’s big green eyes are all over me when she asks, “Where is your papa?”
Good freaking question.
“He’ll be here soon, I’m sure.”
“Do you have a mama?”
Oh hell. My body reacts in a way I don’t expect. It’s been years since she died. But still I find myself slumping back, no chair or couch or cushion to support me.
I stare at the curious princesses, wondering how much to share. I don’t know these girls at all. And I just broke the head of their great-grandfather after my father broke into their home. “I did. She died about eight years ago.”
“Were you sad?” Sabrina blinks at me, studying my face.
“Yes. Very. It was just me and my parents my entire life, so losing her was like losing a third of myself.” And I can’t believe I just said that aloud. Especially to them.
“I miss her. Our mama.”
Oh, these poor things. Before I can stop myself, I reach out and hug them both. “I know, and I understand how that feels. But one lost isn’t always gone. Think of your favorite memory of your mama and hold that picture of her in your head. And anytime you need her, just close your eyes and picture that image, and she’ll be there for you.”
Both girls immediately close their eyes, their faces scrunching up, their lips tugging with broken smiles. “I see her,” Phaedra says.
