“Are you sure about that?” Bree knew she was being mean, but she couldn’t help harassing the princess.
Morla threw her hands high in the air. “All right, if you stay, Garlain will too.”
“There—doesn’t it feel good to be honest? Of course, we’ll stay. But one thing, though—can I have a bath?” She grimaced. “I really need one.”
She thought Morla was going to ignore her because she opened the door and looked like she was going to leave, but she turned back to Bree. “The tub is full in the next room and night clothes are on the end of the bed. I will return early in the morning to help you dress for your wedding.”
Bree sighed. “My wedding,” she breathed. Her eyes widened at Morla. “I’m getting married tomorrow.”
Morla laughed. “You are indeed.”
The air shimmered as the door shut behind Morla.
Uncle Mark and Aunt Di stood in its wake.
“You’re here. Have you seen Dad?”
They laughed. “Yes. And we are so happy he is finally well. That is because of you, Bree,” Uncle Mark said.
Aunt Di took Bree’s hand. “And we thank you for that.We know it must have been hard for you, to know you’d never get those lost years with Garlain back, but—” She grinned. “Areyouglad that you came back to this time? I mean, is it everything you hoped it would be?”
Bree scratched the side of her forehead, unsure what Aunt Di meant. Her eyes widened. “Oh, you mean Horland.”
“Garlain said you’re getting married,” Uncle Mark said.
“Yeah, well, it’s all a bit quick, but as I’m not ever changing my mind about him, I suppose it’s okay.”
Aunt Di pulled Bree into a hug. “And now that we’re out of the time vortex, we can spend time with all our family.”
Mark yanked Bree away and gave her a quick hug of his own. He smiled. “We’re so happy for you, darling, but now we have to get back to Garrett.”
“Will you be here tomorrow?”
“Of course, we will,” Aunt Di said.
“The whole family will be here,” Uncle Mark said.
He lifted a white orb to his chest.
“Oh, no,” Bree said. “I left my orb at the ruins.”
Aunt Di pulled an orb from her hip pocket. “We have it.”
“Thank goodness. What are you going to do with it?”
“Garrett will keep it safe,” Uncle Mark said, and twisted their white orb. As the top rose, he took Aunt Di’s hand and they disappeared.
Bree sat on the bed shaking her head. “I’m getting married tomorrow.”
She gazed at the nightclothes but decided her bath could wait a while longer. She opened the door and peeked out into the wide corridor lined with paintings of knights, kings, and queens. She hoped Horland had the same idea and grinned when she spied him coming to rest on the hall’s verandah.
Their eyes met and Bree’s breath hitched at his intense gaze. Both started toward one another.
Morla whooshed down the hall, coming to a stop in frontof Horland. She placed her hands on his chest. “No, you don’t. Go back to your room, Briana is out of bounds this night.”
Horland tried to get around her but she moved to the side with him.
“I just wanted to say goodnight.”
