The Midwife's Wards

When Phoebe brought up Zariah, Loren tensed, almost imperceptibly. ”Maybe. But I would not rely upon differences between me and the rest of my family.” Then again, the summoner hardly needed to warn the healer of that, not after everything he’d done and said to her. Then Phoebe was off again on another tirade. At least this one was almost solely directed at Wessex, and not at him as merely the bearer of bad news. This time. He let her say her piece—and respond to his explanation about Roana—before he himself replied. ”I do not think Wessex will be swayed by words, especially from either of us. The queen is a woman of action, and I’ve already tried to convince her to let the boys stay with you at the Temple, using every argument I could think of. However, if you can show her how well-behaved they will be in your care, that might do it.” That was all Phoebe had, a chance. Because despite her fierce words, in a straight up contest between the Ascended and the healer, the Launceleyn knew who he’d put his money on. And it wasn't the sweet and mild-mannered Phoebe. LOREN Not quite an open book