“Sleep,” shesaid on a yawn. “Definitely sleep. You plum wore me out.”
“You do wondersfor my ego, love.”
“Well, you dowonders for my vagina.”
I couldn’t stopa laugh. “Jesus.”
She grinned,sliding her hand around my waist. “I’m starting to get a sense of humor, huh?”
“You’ve alwayshad one, sweetheart, you just weren’t allowed to show it.”
Lennox kissed mychest, yawning again. “This is very, very true.”
“Rest, love.I’ve got much more in store for you later.”
“Okay.”
* * *
Lennox
Phineas pulled the tartan overme, and I fell asleep quickly, but the dissident sound of buzzing pulled mefrom a sweet dream, and I groaned as I awoke, noticing the sun had begun toset.
“Sorry, love,”Phin said. “Hey, Ali.”
I snuggledcloser and let myself fall back to sleep, but that didn’t last long.
“I’m sorry love,but we have to go,” Phin whispered.
At first, Iwasn’t sure if I was awake or asleep, then I felt Phin’s lips against mine.
“You can’tpossibly want to go another round so soon,” I said.
“Alasdair justrang. We need get dressed and go to the castle,” Phin replied. “King’s orders.”
“King’s orders?Is that really a thing?”
“You bet it is.And my father’s not the most patient man in the world, so we should hurry.”
I got out of bedand began to dress. “Do you think Alasdair’s men have found my father?”
Phineasshrugged. “It’s possible. Whatever it is, it’s important enough to decree anemergency meeting.”
My mind raced aswe headed out to the car and made our way to the castle. If my father had beencaptured, I’m not even sure how I’d feel or what I’d say to him. He was vilerthan I could ever have imagined, but he was still my father. By the time wereached the castle, my heart was beating violently inside my chest.
“Let me calmyou,” Phin said.
I waved him off.“No. If my father is in there, I need to feelwhateverit is I need tofeel.”
“I understand,”he said, taking my hand and guiding me into the castle.
Reaching thelibrary, Phin paused, turning to face me, and taking my hands. This gave me afew minutes to take a few deep breaths before entering, but nothing could haveprepared me for what was on the other side of the library doors.
Standing withKade and Samantha were my baby sister, Briar Rae, and my brother Jed.
“What in theworld are you doing here?” I asked, immediately bursting into tears.
My siblings ranto me, throwing their arms around me from both sides. Briar Rae’s waterworksmatched mine tear for tear.
