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Two additional bodyguards aiting at the heliport for their arrival, probably in response to the incident with the helicopter engine that the pilot must have reported Before he left in their company, Andre addressed thesure she had everything she needed This ti in Zakharan when he told thehappen to her” She was unexpectedly touched by his concern for her, although she kneas misplaced

Andre turned to her “Iwith the Privy Council already scheduled—they are waiting for my return”

“I understand,” she replied quickly

He looked as if he wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t He left with a hasty “Thank you again, little one” instead, words uttered in a caressing undertone that told Juliana he didn’t want to leave her just thenbut had to

Juliana’s escort took her into the palace, then left as soon as she entered the door to the Queen’s Suite and closed it firmly behind her Once there she realized she desperately needed to talk with someone about the chaos in her mind Soirl, and who’d never failed to give her wise counsel She wasn’t a little girl any longer, but still

She pulled her cell phone out of her purse and checked the time, thankful Maddie had obtained a sim card for her so she could use her phone in Zakhar She mentally tried to calculate the tiinia but couldn’t reht here and whether you subtracted tiers in hopes it wasn’t too early, and hit speed dial for her father

When he answered, she said, “I hope I didn’t wake you, Dad”

He laughed softly “What time is it there, Juliana?”

She glanced at the or”

“We’re six hours behind you Whichabout disturbing my afternoon nap”

Juliana winced “Sorry, Dad Math never waspoint”

Her father chuckled in her ear “That’s okay, honey I wouldn’t have ood to hear your voice no ?”