“Where is Princess Vixie?” one guard had asked as soon as they were to safety.
“In the kitchens!” Wyneth had been unnerved at the thought of Vixie caught in the fighting. The panic rose again now because Vixie was never brought to the shelter, nor wasTiern. All they knew was that fighting had broken out in the king’s office, where he and Queen Leighlane met with the Kalorians.
Thankfully the shelter room had been well stocked with food, water, and toys for the children. Wyneth imagined the toys had been Leighlane’s touch.
Lord Alvi stood and paced again. He said grumpily, “Perhaps the reason no one has come for us is because they’re all dead.”
“We are following protocol—”
“Ach!” Lord Alvi waved the guard’s words away and crossed his arms tightly.
Wyneth’s youngest cousin, Merity, let out a whining howl from her place on the floor.
“What is the matter now?” her mother called. Lady Baycreek had long since lost patience, accustomed to having maids to help with the children.
“She’s trying to take my doll!” her older sister, Caileen, cried.
Lady Baycreek put her face in her hands.
“Here.” Wyneth came over to the girls and squatted. “Shall I draw something for you? How about I draw each of you as an animal?”
“Me first!” Caileen yelled. Merity fell over and set to crying. Wyneth pursed her lips.
“You cuddle your doll, Caileen, and I shall draw Merity first. Then you.”
She thanked the seas for her mother’s forethought to grabtheir outing bag with drawing utensils and a bound notebook, along with playing cards and other games to entertain the children.
Merity sat up with puffy eyes and even poofier red hair, and gave Wyneth a watery smile. “Can you make me be a dolphin, Wynnie?”
“Of course. And what a darling dolphin you shall be.” Wyneth lost herself in doodling, not noticing as the children crowded around, even the older lads. When she was finished they all laughed and remarked on the silliness of a dolphin with red hair, swimming in a sea of flower-strewn water.
“Now me!” Caileen said excitedly. She shoved the doll into Merity’s arms. “Make me a bird!”
“Only if you ask nicely . . .” Wyneth smiled.
“Please, make me a bird?”
“Actually . . .” Wyneth raised her eyes to Lord Alvi, who had moved to stand just over her shoulder. “I know someone who can draw a birdie even better than I.” She looked around at the children and they stared back in wonder.
“Who?” Cousin Leo asked. “Not me or my family.”
Wyneth glanced up at Lord Alvi again and held back a laugh at the look ofNo, no, no!on his tight face.
“Lord Alvi, is it?” Leo exclaimed. “Can you draw, sir?”
“Oh, come now,” he said with a dark chuckle. “I’m . . . busy.”
“Busy brooding,” remarked Wyneth’s twelve-year-old brother Brixton. At that Wyneth barked a laugh and the other children did as well.
Lord Alvi dropped his arms and actually gave a grin. “I never brood.”
Wyneth grasped him by the wrist and tugged him down. He sighed dramatically and took the notebook that she pressed to his chest. He spared her one last threatening glare before looking around at the waiting faces.
“All right, then. Who is to be the bird? Is it you, Donubhan? A hummingbird?”
“No, sir! I am to be a killer whale!”
“It’s me!” Caileen raised her hand, beaming.
