The nurse stopped.
Thomas looked at her. "Requested what?"
The nurse glanced at Sylvia, then back at Thomas.
"Queen Heather requested that I inform you she is furious."
Rina pressed both hands over her mouth.
Sylvia stared.
Thomas sighed like a man receiving a death sentence he had scheduled himself.
The nurse continued, with admirable courage, "Her exact words were that if General Lancaster does not finish expressing maternal disappointment first, Her Majesty will do it herself."
Rina made a strangled noise.
Sylvia turned slowly toward Thomas. "Maternal disappointment?"
Thomas's face had gone blank in the way of a commander under artillery fire.
"My mother is reasonable."
Rina burst out, "Your mother is the main general of Rohan."
"She is reasonable professionally."
"And personally?"
Thomas did not answer.
Sylvia stared at him harder.
He looked down at her. "She will like you."
"That is not the issue."
"It is the most important issue."
