He nodded reluctantly. “Yes, my Queen.”
Isobel inclined her head, acknowledging her son’s acquiescence, and then turned her attention to everyone at the table. “I want to thank you all for coming. I know these are trying times, so it’s much more important that we work together.”
She stood, effectively signaling the end of the meeting. Everyone else stood as well, but no one would leave until Isobel did.
“Mundir,” the queen said to him, “I have a great deal of work to do, but I would like a moment to see my son.”
“Of course, my Queen.” He bobbed at her like a pigeon, then followed her out of the room.
Prea was waiting for Tarquin in the hallway, standing patiently with her hands on her belly. She stepped away from the wall to walk next to him. “I don’t want you to use the Kawj either,”
