Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Crap. I wasn’t anticipating how I’d field these questions, and I’m trying to think of a response when Thorsen covers for us smoothly.
“No, it wasn’t really on a ship. But Ella had a nondisclosure agreement. She couldn’t tell anyone where she was or what she was doing.”
“Oh.” Charlotte blinks. “I suppose that makes sense.”
“And then you two fell in love?” Olivia returns with a handful of cups and saucers, arching her brow at me in question. I know all she really needs to hear is that I’m happy, and this is truly what I want.
“Yes.” I sigh happily. “We fell in love, and it’s been a crazy ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“What now?” Charlotte asks. “Olivia said you’re going back to Norway.”
A look passes between Thorsen and Olivia, and I gather they’ve spoken about more than just the sale of the sanctuary.
“I am going back to Norway with Thor,” I answer. “But we’ll be back to visit as often as we can.”
“Thor.” Charlotte blushes. “I can’t believe you call the King of Norway Thor. And you’re going to live with him at a freaking palace. This is so crazy.”
“Charlotte reads all the royal gossip columns,” I explain to Thorsen.
“I do not!” Her voice rises, and we all laugh. “Okay, fine, maybe a little. So when can I come visit you then?”
“Any time you’d like,” Thorsen says. “As long as Ella approves.”
“Of course, I do.” My heart soars at the idea. “And the same goes for you too, Olivia.”
Then a thought occurs to me, and my stomach flutters with nerves. I’m not sure how to propose this, and I’m not even sure cats are allowed at the palace, but I’m not going anywhere without him.
“Alfred is going to love his new home.” Olivia sets the kettle onto the table and prepares the tea.
“What new home?” I frown.
“The palace, obviously.” She smiles and shakes her head. “Who would have thought he’d go from the streets to royalty in a matter of a few months.”
When I look at Thorsen, he just shrugs. “Apparently, there’s a horse coming too.”
“Oh, my God!” I shout, startling everyone. “Mabel is coming too?”
“She belongs with you,” Olivia says. “She’ll be leaving by ship this week with two royal guards watching over her.”
I nearly knock over the table as I lunge at Thorsen and throw my arms around his neck. I’ve never been so elated, and if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up from it.
“I’m so happy for you, Ella.” Charlotte wipes a little tear from her eye too. “You deserve this. You deserve the whole world.”
36
Thorsen
“Don’t be nervous,” Calder tells me.
“I’m not.”
But I’m lying.
“You are.” He laughs. “I’ve never seen you so uptight, and that’s saying a lot. Just try to relax, if nothing else, for Mor’s sake. Look how happy she is.”
My eyes haven’t moved from Ella and my mother all night. It’s strange how natural it is for her to meet someone, even on their death bed, and put them at ease. This is how it’s been every night since I brought her to the palace three weeks ago.
My mother loved Ella the moment she saw her, and I’ve never felt so right about anything in my life. Every evening, we come to her room for a visit. Sometimes, Calder tells her stories about his latest misadventures, and sometimes, I fill her in on the duties I’m slowly adapting to. But often, when there is a silence, Ella talks to her about the herbal concoctions she’s dedicated her life to making. She jots down notes as my mother happily passes on her knowledge. It’s bittersweet, but we never miss these opportunities because the doctors tell us it probably won’t be long now.
“I think she approves,” I tell Calder.
“I think we all do,” he says. I’m grateful that both he and Ella have seemingly put the awkwardness of their first interaction behind them, for all our sakes.
“The media perception has taken a turn for the better since you’ve been in public with her,” he adds. “It must be a nice change of pace.”
I shudder at the memory of the chaos that ensued when I had to announce that I was not, in fact, engaged to Lavinia. The aftermath was quite the shock to all the media outlets who suspected I’d chased her off too. But when they saw Ella, they were quick to move on, rabid for information about the beautiful French girl who stole my heart and softened the hard edges of my personality.
“She’s easy to love,” I say. “And I’m a better man for it.”
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Ella peeks over at us suspiciously.
“Climate change.” Calder smirks, and Ella rolls her eyes.
“You’d better come say good night. Your mother is tired.”
We join her at our mother’s side, and I think she has never been so at peace. Alfred has decided to take up residence in her bed, which Ella explains is his way of comforting her. Either way, I’ve become fond of the little gray street cat, and I know Mother has too.