What did your mother do?" he said.

"Sir?"

"When it was time for bed," said the King. "Tell me."

The girls exchanged nervous glances. He was talking about Mother.

"She used to help the girls with their prayers," said Azalea, hesitant. "And-sometimes she would read stories."

The King set the sword on the table, next to the vase.

"Very well," he said as the girls whispered to one another. "I will read you a story."

The whispering stopped.

Autor: Heather Dixon Wallwork