By the time the banquet ended, Cobra had fallen asleep against Roy's shoulder.
The little boy still clutched half a flatbread in one hand, scattering crumbs all over the back of Roy's collar, while his other hand gripped the front. His breathing was even, his nostrils fluttering gently. Occasionally, he mumbled something in his sleep that sounded like, "Camels are faster than horses."
The nanny carefully lifted him off Roy. He whined twice in protest and only settled down when she whispered in his ear, "You can play with Roy again tomorrow."
Lia stood at the entrance to the banquet hall, her hands clasped in front of her, her fingers twisting the end of her silver sun-shaped hair clasp.
She watched Barlow rise from the round table, watched the bandages around his right shoulder bulge slightly beneath his shirt, and watched the almost imperceptible hesitation in his left foot as he approached.
She took a step forward, then stopped, leaving exactly an arm's length between them.
"The royal physician has prepared your medicine. There's enough for three days, and you need to change the dressing once a day. There are fresh bandages in the medicine chest, too. Remember to have Roy help you when you get back-no, Roy's too clumsy. Have Mila do it. Her hands are steady."
She spoke a little faster than usual, barely pausing between instructions.
"Mm," Barlow acknowledged.
"I'll come see you tomorrow morning. The royal physician said morning is the best time to change the dressing. Is there anything you can't eat for breakfast? He said to avoid spicy food while the wound heals, so I've asked the kitchen to keep things light. Do you like steamed fish? If not, I'll have them make something else."
Lia looked up at him, her eyes so bright