AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Aria bowed her head. “I knew you would appreciate the flowers.”
“Truthfully, most of this was Aria’s idea, I merely facilitated the birthing of it,” Lucy said.
“Either way, it is beautiful. Thank you,” Mina said, as a servant leaned between her and the king to pour her some wine.
She turned back to it, and found Harker whispering in Erik’s ear. The King’s brows drew together and he nodded once as the wolf disappeared back into the crowd.
Mina frowned at him. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m sorry?” Erik blinked at her and cleared his throat, sitting up straighter. “Yes. Everything is fine. It seems before the dances begin, we have someone who would like to speak with you if you’re not opposed to it.”
“Who?” She frowned, a small alarm going off in the back of her mind.
“The parents of the little girl you saved from the fire. They would like to thank you and present you with a gift for your birthday.”
Mina’s jaw dropped, and her eyes scanned the room for the people in question. “Where are th—”
Harker walked back into the great hall in the distance with three figures shuffling in behind him. Two tall adults and one small child clinging to her mother’s skirts.
Mina reflexively reached for Erik’s hand and squeezed his fingers. “I’m so glad she’s okay.”
Harker cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, Princess, may I present Mr. Francois Germaine, and his wife Leeanna. Parents to the lovely Imogen who you met in the burning building.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Mina said, smiling at the young girl.
“Your Majesty, Princess,” Francois said, giving them each a respectful bow. “I owe you my life for saving our daughter. There aren’t enough words in the world to thank you, Princess, for risking your life to save her. If I had a kingdom to give, I would lay it at your feet.”
“There’s no need for that,” she said. “All I ask is that you raise her well, and treat her with love and kindness.”
“We do not have much, Princess. But our daughter would…she would like to gift you with a song if you wouldn’t mind.”
Mina smiled, glancing down at the girl. “I would love to hear you sing, Imogen.”
The girl’s cheeks turned pink as she stepped out from her mother’s skirts. She gave a small curtsey and tugged at her shirt nervously.
“Erik, the music,” Mina said, gesturing to the air.
He nodded and whistled loudly. The band came to a screeching halt and the little girl jumped. Mina bit her lip and held up her hand. The girl was very young, and clearly nervous. Getting up and walking around the table, Mina knelt before her and held out her hand.
“It’s just you and me, Imogen. You don’t have to be nervous, but I won’t make you sing if you don’t want to,” she said.
The little girl gave her a curious look and put her hand in Mina’s grasp. The Princess gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and Imogen smiled.
She took a deep breath and began to sing.
“Ev-ery night, the Prin-cess dreamed of a world beyond the seas. She knew one day she'd climb The Veil, and find the land of the free. Adventure she’d have, and love she’d find for the prince would keep her safe. Warm in his arms, she’d learn to fly. And when she woke, she knew….”Imogen trailed off her eyes wide as she forgot the words.
Mina smiled and gave the next phrase. “He’d make her dreams come true.”
“He’d make her dreams come true.”Imogen clapped her hands. “You know the song!”
“My mother used to sing that to me when I was your age. I used to dream of princes, and adventure every night. Thank you, Imogen. It was a lovely song.”
The little girl blushed scarlet and threw her arms around Mina’s neck. “I’m happy you’ve found your prince. I hope I’m just as lucky one day.”
Mina squeezed her tight. “I know you will be.”
