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A blissful marriage, fun, adventure, laughter, sweet moonlight kisses, and three children—two girls and one boy.
“I don’t have time to think about those things,” I lied, tucking the deceptive thoughts away.
She laughed and shook her head, looking slightly amused. “That is a lie of humongous proportions.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to appear natural and nonchalant. “I haven’t thought of August a single moment today.”
Daphne pointed to my face. “Your nose is growing as we speak.”
That made me laugh, but then I lost my smile when I said, “I quit believing in fairy tales. And you don’t believe in them either, so why are you pushing this?”
Daphne thought about it, nodding slowly, but then surprised me when she said, “I don’t know. I think I’m starting to believe in the possibility of them again. I have hope, at least.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Does this have anything to do with my brother?”
She shrugged. “I do have a lot of fun with him, that’s for sure. I like his energy. And don’t tell me you didn’t have fun on the game drive with August. In between your moments of being cranky, I saw you smile and relax more than a few times. What do you attribute that to?”
“A lapse in common sense,” I joked. “Okay, I admit sometimes I enjoyed myself, but you know what I do feel guilty about? Not saying goodbye to Simon and Sabrina. I have to say, they’re such a fun couple. They have positive energy, which I love and need in my life.”
“Nice change of subject, but I agree with you,” Daphne said. “They seem to live life to the fullest. I admire that. But hey, it shouldn’t be too difficult to track them down when we get back home. How many Simons and Sabrinas are there in Slovenia who sell Syrah by the seashore?”
“True,” I said with a laugh, then cranked my neck to the left and leaned forward to get a look at the couple who just walked by on the beach.
“What?” Daphne said, following my gaze.
I blinked a few times, thinking about it. “It’s the craziest thing. I just saw a couple who were the spitting image of Simon and Sabrina, just as we were talking about them. I only saw them briefly from the side, and then their backs as they were walking away, but that was kind of eerie, the timing.”
Daphne smirked. “Maybe you manifested them and then they just appeared.” She gestured to me, nodding her appreciation. “You’ve got magical powers now.”
“And you have a wild imagination,” I countered. “I would be perfectly fine if Sabrina and Simon were here, as long as they are not accompanied by the dynamic duo I’m trying to avoid. But why are we even talking about this? This time, we left no clues. It will be impossible for them to find us. Nobody knew, not even the driver.”
Just then, Daphne’s phone buzzed with a call. She glanced at the screen, then her eyes went wide before showing me the caller's name.
Queen Camille.
I jerked my head back, confused. “Why is my mother calling you?”
“I guess we are going to find out,” Daphne said.
“No!” I said. “Let it go to voicemail.”
“Hello, Your Majesty,” Daphne answered with a grin, then nodded a few times. “I’m doing great! Thanks for asking.” Another nod. “Yes, she’s right here. Hang on just a moment.”
I glared at her, then took a deep breath before taking the phone from her and saying, “Hello, Mother. Why are you calling me on Daphne’s phone?”
“Because you never answer yours,” she replied, her tone light but with an undercurrent of reproach. “And I needed to speak to you.”
“I thought you were in France.”
“We are, for a few more days,” she said, “but I heard an interesting rumor. Is it true that you’re in Africa?”
I hesitated, my mind racing for a neutral response. “Who told you that?”
“Caleb did,” she answered. “Is it true?”
“Why do you ask?”
Mother sighed into the phone. “I guess you are, since you are avoiding my questions. Now, tell me why you’re there.”
