Sarah came up the steps, followed by Becca and Duvall. Sarah took the seat across from Rose and Becca handed me my bag before moving to a couch in the back. A pair of guards came up the steps carrying one of my garment bags and carry-on. I sighed in relief. When the engine had started I’d worried I would have to meet the queen in my blue jeans. As it was I wasn’t sure how I was going to change into my dress in the plane.
“I wish I had been able to meet your father before we left,” Rose mentioned while going over her papers and I realized she was talking to me.
“You were very busy. Maybe you’ll get to in Lilaria.”
“That would be wonderful. Perhaps if he is feeling up to it, you could come out to my estate for dinner.”
“He would love that.” And he would. Getting to go to another country had seemed to excite him.
“Then we’ll set it up!” Rose smiled before turning back to her paperwork.
I fished through my bag for my e-reader and earbuds. I’d loaded the language CD so I could listen to it while I was reading or staring out the window. I really hoped some of it would stick.
Alex settled into his paperwork and I watched out the window as the workers cleared the plane for takeoff. It wasn’t long before we were in the air and I was watching my home disappear.
After a while I pulled my headset off and set down my book. Alex was sketching in a notepad and I’d been curious to see what he was working on. “So, you draw?”
“Some. Not much.” He looked at me over the pad of paper, his eyes thoughtful. “When something strikes me.”
“Can I see?” I leaned over the table and tried to peek at the paper.
“Hm. I don’t know.” He tilted the book away from me. “I’ll play you for it.”
“Play me for it?” I sat back in my seat. “Play what?”
“Don’t do it, Samantha. He never loses.” Rose didn’t look up from her paperwork.
“We’ll see.” I narrowed my eyes at him. He was smiling like he had already won. “What is it?”
“Well, wait a minute. If you win, you get to see my sketch. What do I get if I win?” He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling.
“I warned you.” Rose shook her head and stood up from her seat, stretching. “I think I’m going to try to nap for a while.” She moved back to one of the open benches and pressed a button. It slid out from the wall to make a small bed. I shook my head at the idea of a bed on a plane.
“Well? My prize?” Alex brought my attention back to him.
“What could you possibly want?” I had been thinking he had everything, but as soon as the words left my mouth I realized my mistake. His eyes flashed with triumph and his smile made my blood race.
“Oh, there are a lot of things I want.” His eyes ran over my face. “What are you willing to give?”
“Friends, Alex,” I hissed at him under my breath, worried the others had heard him.
He chuckled and leaned closer. “If you win, you see the sketch. If I win, you have to volunteer at the FBT.”
“Seems a bit uneven.”
“Take it or leave it.” He leaned back in his chair, his eyes watching me carefully.
“What would I have to do at the FBT?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Whatever I think appropriate.”
I studied him for a minute, considering what he could possibly force me to do. Clean out bird cages? Been there, done that. Cut up mice? Didn’t bother me anymore.
“Fine. But I get to keep the sketch if I win.”
“Deal.” He held out his hand and I shook it even though he still hadn’t told me what we were going to play. Hopefully not cards. I hated poker.
He stood up and moved toward the back of the plane. When he came back with a box in his hand, I laughed.
“Monopoly?”
“What? You’re too good for Monopoly?” He set the box down on the table and proceeded to set up the game. “What do you want to be?”
“The shoe.”
“The shoe?” He looked at me doubtfully. “Are you sure?”
“My mom was always the shoe.” The words popped out of my mouth without thought. I hadn’t thought about that in a long time.
“Very well. The shoe it is.” He set out the shoe and the top hat before distributing the