Molly glared. “What kind of emergency would occur while in the gardens, pray tell?”
“An unexpected...” Renna began but stumbled as she thought for more words.
“Bosom... happening?” I added.
Molly’s eyes looked ready to leave her head entirely. “An unexpected bosom happening?Thatis the very best you can do?”
Renna swatted at the air. “Like these men know anything about bosoms. We could probably say we had a leaky bosom because of our cycle, and they’d likely just agree and get rid of us as fast as possible. They know nothing about the inner workings of a woman.”
“A leaky bosom?!” Molly wheezed. “None of us have children yet. As if we are all just walking around ready to spring a leak at any given moment.”
“Some of us more so than others,” Renna deadpanned while looking directly at Molly.
We laughed as we rounded the corner outside, Molly having to grab the side of the doorframe for air.
“I hope,” Molly laughed, “the two of you never have to concoct a story on the fly. Your plotting skills are left wanting.”
I saw some blonde hair in the distance as someone turned the corner.
Knowing we were the only consorts down here and there was likely only one non-consort person it could be, I grabbed my skirts and followed.
“Jorah?” Renna asked, amusement still on her voice as she finished laughing.
“Nara,” I whispered.
The three of us sobered immediately and hurried to catch her.
But she was also picking up speed, so though we could see her back, we found we were not gaining on her at all.
“Nara,” I called out lightly. I didn’t want to make a scene. But I did want to see her with my own two eyes to see that she was well.
She hesitated but didn’t turn around.
Molly whispered, “Distract her, I’ll cut her off.”
Her words barely registered before she abandoned the walkway to hop over some bushes. And fell.
“Umph.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing as Molly popped right back up and cut across the starting-to-green grass to intercept Nara. There were enough thick trees lining the spot where Nara stood that if Molly crouched down, she would likely be successful.
She was right. Her plotting skills were way better than ours.
“We just want to make sure you’re okay,” I said to Nara’s back. “That’s all, promise.”
Nara took one small step forward.
“And we miss you,” Renna added. “Gwen and Molly had a falling out. We are short two card players.”
That had Nara turning slightly, lines in her forehead as if she wondered what had happened.
“It gets exhausting besting these two in cards every time,” Renna added. “You are welcome to come play again.”
Now Nara turned the rest of the way around. “And now I know you’re lying.”
I smiled triumphantly. “Only the last part was embellished.” Renna and I began taking slow and small steps toward Nara. “Molly and Gwen really did have a falling out. That part was true.”
“Over Prince Keiran?” Nara asked, crossing her arms.
