The sisters nodded and disappeared before anyone had time to speak.
Camelee was glad for them. She thought they should all be together.
She moved her gaze and caught her father staring at her.
She smiled at him. She knew if it were up to him, he would have given them what they wanted without all the fuss. He’d been deprived of being a father because of Morgan.
“We have a lot to learn about each other, Dad.”
He smiled and breathed out a breath that almost bent him over. “Yes. I agree. Let’s take our time. I know you want to go back to…wherever, but it can wait a little. Can’t it?”
How could she refuse him? Why would she ever want to? She’d found her father. “Yes. It can wait.”
She reached for Wolf’s hand on the table. He angled his head to set his gaze on her when she glanced his way. He smiled and she saw the weakness for her in his eyes. It frightened her. If they ever ran into Morgan…
“Camelee,” her father said softly, pulling her attention back to him. “I know this is all difficult to accept.”
Yes. Having her parents back. She looked at Genevra. Her mother, who had poured out her heart to many others to compensate for the two she’d lost. Her father, who had sacrificed everything in his life to save his family.
“I will do everything I can to protect you, Daughter,” he continued. “I always have. I always will. I will keep you both safe.” He looked at Wolf, who smiled at him.
“We hope you can forgive us for leaving you,” her mother told her, her golden brow creased with guilt. “We wanted you to have a safe life. But we wanted you to be happy and to want for nothing.”
“I had everything—” Camelee told them, looking away. But it had all been smoke and ashes. It was all insubstantial. None of it mattered. When the smoke settled, the only thing left was her, alone and bitter at six years old. It had only gotten worse from there. “—and nothing at all.” She lifted her gaze to them. To her mother first, and then her father, and let her warm smile shine on them both. “But I understand why you gave me up. We were all robbed of a life together. It’s just nice to have you both now.”
Genevra left her chair and hurried to her. “Oh, my darling girl, before I knew I was your mother, I wished I was.”
“I wished you were, too.”
Camelee closed her eyes and smiled when her mother put her arms around her and embraced her where she sat. She wiped her eyes and smiled at Wolf while her mother returned to her seat.
“I’m glad you found them, Camelee,” he told her and lifted her hand to his lips.
“Nicholas!” Kes shouted and bolted forward into the arms of a handsome man dressed in a tailored longcoat, pants and military boots. He received his pregnant wife tenderly. After making sure she wasn’t hurt, and kissing her senseless, he looked around at the others then at the king. “Are you truly King Arthur?” The king verified that he was and then went to him and embraced him. “I’ve heard much about you from Viviane. She speaks highly of you.”
Nicholas slipped his gaze to Viviane and smiled. “Still, Elia, I would prefer to have my sword.”
Noelle came next and it was a good thing because Sebastian appeared ready to start breaking down walls.
“Sebastian!” She hurried to him, her russet waves flowing behind her. “What’s going on? Do I want to know? That woman said it was better if you told me. Told me what?”
Camelee was shocked to see her half-brother’s expression go from deadly to temperate in a single moment. Mordred had a heart. A good one as far as Camelee could tell.
“Aren’t you Noelle Upton from the news?” she asked, recognizing her.
“Yes. Oh, wow, you’re Camelee Pendrey! I sawSilver Buttons. I loved you in it.”
Camelee smiled and thanked her. She knew she and Noelle were going to be good friends.
Michael’s wife, Charlotte, appeared noble in her scarlet riding coat and matching skirts and hat, with a delicate veil over her face and dark hair.
She pulled the hat, and the veil with it off her head and threw her arms around Michael. “We have been out searching for you for the last week. Oh, thank God, you are alive!”
“Week?” Camelee asked, looking at Arthur while her brother and his wife kissed.
“Time moves differently in most other realms,” the king explained. “Usually much faster than Avalon.”
She noticed after a few minutes that Wolf was quiet. “Is something wrong?”
