Chapter 38

• Bastian set his cup down and then sat back on the sofa. It was hard and uncomfortable. Shifting forward, he adjusted the small pillow beside him and then gave up and leaned on his knees. Just being in his mother’s sitting room always made him feel like an adolescent. Pristine white furniture, every bit of the décor was shiny, spotless—how did a person relax in a room like this?
• His mother set her cup on the little saucer in her lap and gave him one of those mom smiles. “I haven’t seen you this nervous since you told your father and me that you would be a working royal and not one who sits safely in the control room.”
• His gaze flicked to her, he thought he was playing it cool, but should have known she would pick up how nervous he was.