A knock on her door told her that her mother had sensed she’d returned into the house, and she spoke quietly. “Enter.”
“Hello, my darling,” her mother spoke softly. “How are you feeling?”
Sapphire looked up to see her father standing behind her mother, his hand resting on her shoulder as if he’d been reassuring her for the time she’d been gone. She saw the love in his eyes and knew he’d worried as much as her mother had.
She pointed carelessly to the brown and black binders on the bed. “Husband X and Husband Y, which shall I choose?” She grinned suddenly. “It’s a good thing I don’t judge a book by its cover, or someone would be sorry. I am truly partial to snakes.” She traced her finger over the symbol on the front of the brown leather.
“They gave you books?” Emerald ducked her head un
