Chapter 77

He was ushered out of the throne room by the guards.

  He managed a glance over his shoulder at her, obviously not taking her reassurance to heart.

  She stared after him, only to turn back to her parents to find her mother watching her knowingly.

"You need some sleep as well, darling," Hilda told her. 

"Let's go."

Isla nodded in agreement with one last glance down the hallway even though Kelly and the guards were out of sight by then.

Hilda linked her arm through Isla's and began to lead her down the hallway.

Gaius wouldn't look at her as they walked by, and Isla couldn't let the night end like that.

She pulled her mother to a stop. 

"Father--"

"Isla," he sighed in exhaustion.

  He ran a heavy hand over his face,

  "we'll talk about it tomorrow, alright?"

"Father, I think we could talk about it now," she suggested quietly.

Gaius approached her and cupped her cheeks.