He groaned and raised a hand, but I caught it and pressed it to me. “Milo…”
“I like it.”
“It’s weird.”
“It’s beautiful.”
He heaved a sigh.
I couldn’t help it, I started hummingLet It Gowhile I watched the snow fall on the grumpy little prince I was falling in love with.
That afternoon,Flurry gathered a few people in a room that was either a study or a library. The walls were lined with books, there was a large desk at one end of the room, and a sitting area opposite the desk was crowded with all kinds of things to sit on from wingback chairs to fat poufs. Everything was encrusted with that fake frost and snow that came right back when I tried to dust it off. A fireplace heated the room as all of us found somewhere to sit and turned our attention to Flurry.
The group of us were an interesting mix of folks. There were two members of the guard sitting with a man I hadn’t seen before, who either had allergies or had been crying recently. Giselle held a pencil and sketch pad as she talked to the well-dressed man beside her. Badru had something that looked like a photo album on his lap and spoke with a woman who kept glancing my way. She was the first I’d seen who wore pants and they had smudges of paint on them.
“Thank you for coming, everyone,” Flurry said from where he stood beside the fireplace. “Let’s begin with introductions.” He swallowed so hard I heard it as he held his hand out to the man sitting with the guardsmen. “This is Pollard Wynn, the late Private Archibald Wynn’s father.”
Private Archibald Wynn, the guard who’d saved Flurry’s life yesterday. I was glad Flurry had the guardsman’s name now.
Mister Wynn gave a strained smile and nodded to all of us. I hadn’t known what this meeting was about until now and was glad to see these people supporting whatever Flurry had planned.
“Captain Egan,” one of the guardsmen said, “and Lieutenant Hildreth.” The other guard nodded.
“Lord and Lady Lennon.” Giselle placed a hand on the man beside her.
“Lord Badru and my sister, Lady Delyse Carlisle,” he said with a hand toward the woman in pants.
As all eyes looked to me, I smiled. “Milo Hawkins.”
“I’ve asked you all here for a few reasons,” Flurry said. “Badru, I’d like a plaque for the throne room that will list Private Wynn’s name, date of…death, and express my thanks for his selfless sacrifice.”
“Of course,” Badru said and patted the album. “I have several I think would do him justice.”
“I would also like to have a statue done of Private Wynn to represent him and all the others who have given their lives for our court. Life size, full regalia, and to stand on a plinth with the names of all those we’ve lost. It will stand in the square.”
“Thank you,” Mister Wynn whispered, tears on his face.
Flurry’s wings appeared behind him as he nodded at the man.
Lord Lennon said, “We’ll begin immediately. If I could request a model, Captain?”
“Lieutenant Hildreth has already volunteered.”
That explained why he was dressedfancier than any guard I’d seen yet with sword, spear, and a shining helmet under his arm.
Flurry cleared his throat. “I would also like a statue to represent all those we lost to the curse. I’m uncertain what I’d like specifically, so if you could present a few ideas?” He looked to Giselle.
“Do you wish a quick turnaround?” she asked.
Flurry frowned a bit at her. “Not necessarily, if there is an issue.”
She shook her head. “I’m wondering if we might make a contest of it. Open the design to the people. Give them a deadline to submit their ideas. Perhaps those of us present could be the judges and choose the winner.”
Flurry nodded, a slight smile on his lips and his eyes looking glassy with tears. “That…” He cleared his throat. “That would be wonderful.”
“Does a month sound agreeable?”
“It does.”
