“Dearest Isaac,” the princess murmured. She came over beside him and put her arms around his shoulders. “You forget I hired Rafael for you, and I outrank you both. I can give any orders I like.” She pressed her cheek to his and straightened up. “Is this your refugee?”
Summer hastily scrambled up from her chair when the princess noticed her and curtseyed, head bent. “Your Highness,” she mumbled.
A grimace twisted his features as she approached him and draped herself over his shoulders, sighing deeply as she began to speak. “Be that as it may, I’m family, remember? And I’m in charge of him now.”
“Sit down, Summer,” he murmured lowly then and fixed a piercing glare on Cora. “And she’s my friend and I invited her here, so please treat her like you would any other guest.”
Cora gestured for Summer to rise, since she showed no sign of doing so at Isaac’s command. “My royal brother suggested I offer your guest some assistance by way of clothing and introduction to the court.” She patted Isaac’s arm. “I’m commanding you to release her to me for the day. You’re to come to dinner tonight.”