Jo paused. He leaned over and picked up a glass of water, savouring the liquid as it travelled down his throat. A second gulp soothed the dryness he felt.
"What?" a young boy asked. His brow was furrowed.
"That can't be how it ends!" a girl exclaimed with disappointment.
"But that is how this story ends," Jo explained.
"No, no, no!" another girl cried out, vehemently shaking her head.
"Well," Jo replied with a sigh, "I suppose I could continue the tale tomorrow."
He stood as the children were hurried off to bed. His eyes fell on a young woman standing in a shadowy corner.
"Now that, was a great story," she said. Her voice was rich. Syrup pouring, spilling and pooling on a smooth surface. "I really liked it."
Jo smiled. He knew it was a wistful twitch of his lips. Silvana's sadness still tugged at him.
"Well, they did not," he conceded, "and it is their satisfaction that counts. Although, I am happy you found some enjoyment from it, Lady."
She bowed her head and he passed by without another word.
YOU ARE READING
Silvana's Trial
FantasySilvana, crown princess of Oruna, is faced with a task that most would fail. She is ordered to accompany her mortal enemy, the man who tried to murder her father when she was seven years old. The imperial prince wants to tour her nation and Silvana...
