She nodded.

“They’re all your cousins.”

“Even Lil?” Kalea breathed.

“Even Lil.”

With a pair of round, excited eyes, she looked at Sumi. “Mommy? Can I play with my cousins?”

“Of course you can. Just stay so that I can see you and don’t get close to the doors or windows.”

Thia gave her a knowing stare. “I’ll stay with her.”

“Thank you, sweetie.”

She inclined her head before she took Kalea off to meet Thia’s brothers, who were playing with Devyn and Sway, and the rest of the Sentella clan.

Dancer set her right beside the pool and sand area where the kids were playing. It was only then that she realized how vigilant everyone was. And the fact that there were a large number of royal Andarion guards patrolling the premises.

It made her feel better to know she wasn’t the only one who was overly cautious.

Dancer pulled a chair up beside her. “Would you like something to eat?”

“Sure. Where do I go?”

“I’ll get it.” He jerked his chin toward a long buffet table that had been set with all kinds of choices. “Just let me know what you like.”

She gave him a hot once-over. “What I really want isn’t on that table.”

He blushed sweetly. “Might be messy, but I could arrange that.”

She laughed at his dry sarcasm, though a part of her wasn’t joking. She’d much rather munch on him.

With a sleeping Terek attached to his chest in a baby sling, Ture came toward her with a friendly smile. He tossed a towel over his shoulder. “I have some of everything, with a number of kids’ dishes that are Maris tested and approved.”

Sumi gave him a puzzled stare at the way he’d said that. “Maris approved?”

Ture nodded. “In spite of the sophisticated palate he claims to have, my baby has the taste buds of a five-year-old. And just because they’re picky doesn’t mean it can’t be healthy. Do you want sweet or savory or both?”

“Um… both, I guess.”

“All right. You two stay here and I’ll be right back with food for you.”

Dancer stood as Kiara came over with a very happy Zarina, and offered her his chair.

She smiled gratefully as she accepted it and balanced Zarina on her lap. “I hope the two of you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of inviting my favorite local kids’ store to the house with things for Kalea. They should be here in about an hour.”

Sumi blushed. “That was extremely kind of you, but can we cancel it?”

“Why?”

She felt her face turn even hotter. “I’m sure Kyr’s locked all my accounts. I don’t have credits without them.”