Free Midnight Dolls by Kiki Sullivan Page B

of the magical connection between us, the fact that we’re two leaders in the same sosyete. “It’s, um, nice to meet you.”
    â€œAnd you.” He’s still shaking my hand, and when he finally stops, it takes him a moment to actually let go.
    â€œSo,” I say.
    â€œSo.” He waits for me to speak.
    â€œYou’re Simon’s son?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou painted me. On the bridge.” I feel foolish the moment the words are out of my mouth, but Bram looks amused.
    â€œYou spotted that,” he says, smiling at me. “I’m relieved to see I captured you accurately.”
    â€œYour dad said you dreamed of me?” I can feel my cheeks heating up; it’s weird to imagine this hot guy lying in bed at night thinking about me. “How?”
    â€œAndaba connects us. Maybe you’ve dreamed of me too and didn’t even realize it. Do I seem familiar to you?”
    I nod slowly. The way he’s looking at me—warmly, like we’re already old friends—is both comforting and disconcerting at the same time. “You’re a king?”
    He chuckles, the sound rising up from somewhere deep in his chest. “Since November, when I turned seventeen. It takes some getting used to, doesn’t it?”
    â€œUnderstatement of the year.”
    â€œI’d imagine it’s even more unsettling for you. After all, I grew up with this. To you, it’s all new.” His expression is pleasant, his eyes full of compassion.
    â€œYeah. You’re right.” I finally relax a little. “It’s nice to meet someone who finally understands that.”
    His brow creases. “Your sister queens in Carrefour don’t?”
    â€œI think they’re too busy worrying about their hair.” I half intend it as a joke, so I feel a bit guilty when he frowns.
    â€œThat’s got to be really frustrating,” he says.
    â€œThey mean well,” I hurry to add. “Honestly. They’re not so bad.”
    â€œWell,” he says after a pause. “I suppose I’ll find out for myself soon enough. They’re here with you, aren’t they?”
    I nod just as my father and Caleb come in through the back door. I suddenly feel as if I’m betraying Caleb in some way and take a big step back from Bram. As Caleb stares Bram down, the air between them seems to crackle with tension.
    â€œWell,” my father says after a moment, clearing his throat and glancing at me. “Caleb, allow me to introduce Eveny’s brother king, Bram Saxon.”
    He reluctantly reaches out to shake hands with Bram. “So you painted that bridge?” Caleb asks.
    â€œSure did.”
    â€œWeird that you’re dreaming of Eveny,” Caleb says. He walks away before Bram can reply.
    Bram turns to me. “Is he always so polite?”
    â€œThat’s just Caleb. Don’t worry. He’s . . . protective.”
    Bram’s eyes bore into mine until I can feel my cheeks flaming. “Yeah, well, so am I.”
    â€œEveny,” my father says, interrupting the sizzling silence between us. “I have some news for you. Bram here,” he says, then pauses. “Well, he’ll be moving to Carrefour immediately.”
    â€œWait, what?” I stare at him, then at Bram.
    â€œSimon, George, and I believe it’s for the best, and Peregrine’s and Chloe’s mothers have agreed to open the gate to allow Bram and his uncle Bill into town.”
    â€œBut . . . why?” I ask, baffled.
    My father sighs. “Caleb’s judgment is compromised,” he says, glancing toward the stairway. “Because Bram has andaba powers too, you and he can be very powerful together. Simon is needed here, so Bram will come with his uncle as his guardian instead. It will be helpful to have him with you to protect you.”
    â€œBut I don’t need protecting,” I say. “And Caleb is doing just fine. I