“I dunno. [name_f]My[/name_f] grandparents are still abroad in [name_f]Italy[/name_f]. [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] left the capital when she and [name_m]Phillip[/name_m] married. Aunt [name_f]Melody[/name_f] was called back to Westland — though she promised to hurry back. [name_f]Delia[/name_f]…” here [name_u]Dylan[/name_u] chuckled bitterly, “[name_f]Delia[/name_f]… she’s a lost cause. Dodger’s finishing medical school in [name_u]London[/name_u]. [name_f]Abri[/name_f] had to return to her classes at the university…”
“We heard what sounded like the scream of a dying walrus,” [name_f]Ksenia[/name_f] answered, slightly muffled from her facing away from us, “and came to investigate.”
“You would know what a dying walrus scream sounds like.”
"Yes,” said [name_m]Bradford[/name_m]. “It’ll make the beating I’m about to deliver slightly less painful.” He hit one of his hands with a fist and grinned at the thought of seeing [name_m]Donnie[/name_m] black and blue.
“The squirrels are hangry and being attacked by a Sasquatch in the woods. Pesty, you promised me they would be safe when we started this whole hoodoo thing!”
“Hello darling.” The sound of passing traffic made her voice hard to hear.
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f] felt her own voice tighten, syllables careful and correct. “[name_m]Hi[/name_m] Mum, where are you?”
Sam, of course, was right behind him when the prince carefully stepped on the prow with the intention of getting as close to the dragon as personal safety and common sense would permit.
He laced his hands behind his head and leaned into them. “So, when she made the backhanded compliment about my vocabulary, was it supposed to be an insult about my race or my profession?”
“Oh, okay, [name_f]Maddie[/name_f]. Did I hurt your feelings?”
She turned immediately. “You know, I am insulted. I know I’m not allowed to get hurt, but I am so sick of being your marital doormat!”
After adding all the ingredients together, he put the lid on the blender and pressed a button to blend all the ingredients. When [name_m]Mikey[/name_m] was done, he took a sip and was immediately disgusted.
The wonderful moment lasted just until they opened the door.
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f] couldn’t help covering her nose in disgust. “[name_m]Lord[/name_m], what is that?”
[name_m]Matteo[/name_m] already had his sweatshirt over his face. “I don’t know. Rats?”
“Supper will be served at seven-thirty. Perhaps, you can find a proper gown for yourself?”
I wrinkled my nose, resisting the urge to repeat the final jab in a nasally, uptight voice as an insult.
Isabel knew she may be at the threshold of what she had been looking for her whole life, but what she couldn’t find was the courage to walk through the door.