I shook my head vigorously, my frustration mounting. Even Eamon seemed to be caught up in the panic. "No, No, No, No, No, No, No!" I declared, almost shouting. "Tell the Crown Prince I'm busy and can't see him. Go tell him, Kirill!"
Kirill, looking defeated but not by me-more by the prospect of a dealing with Kairan's wrath-said my a hint of resignation, "I can't do that, Mery. I don't want to be beheaded right now. I'm still young and have a lot of living to do."
I rolled my eyes. Of course, I knew this trick would work. It was trump card. I immediately put on the most exaggerated puppy-dog face I could muster. I could have easily won a competition for the most pitiful look ever-seriously, I was channeling every puppy from every dog shelter ever.
