After they cleared the dinner plates, Vinia walked out with lemon meringue pies. "I know these may not be as good as yours, but it's what I made today with lemons that Elliot brought to me. I didn't want them to go bad."
Wren accepted a piece and sank her fork into it. She closed her eyes after tasting the filling. "This is amazing. I didn't mean to sound like I was some kind of baking genius or anything."
Vinia patted her hand. "I know that. But you are welcome to bake whatever you want, here, your cabin, or over at Sarah's. We're all one family while you're here at the ranch."
"Thank you," Wren answered shyly. "I'll probably botch a few things. It's been a while since I've had the chance to bake."
"What stopped you from baking?" Sarah hoped her question gave them some insight into what Wren wasn't telling them.
Instead, the woman shut down. "Just... life."
Sarah glanced at Drake. She knew that he got her gist that she had every intention of figuring out what Wren was hiding.
Chapter Six: Sister Returns
Luke Ardec
Luke was awakened by one of the palace guards. It had been almost a week since he'd spoken to his father after his disastrous announcement at the gala. He had avoided any confrontation after they left the stage, and Ardec hadn't pushed any discussion about it. The carriage ride back to the castle had been the most awkward minutes they had ever spent together, and apparently even his father knew to just let him simmer for a few days. Luckily, the castle was large enough to accommodate not seeing each other in their daily routines.
"You came into my chambers?" Luke wiped the sleep from his eyes and sat up.
"You weren't answering the door, sir."
"What's so important that you felt I needed to be awake?" He glanced at the window. It was still dark outside, so it was either really late at night or really early in the morning.
"Your father, sir. He's very ill."
Luke cocked his head. "Ill?"
"The royal physician said to fetch you immediately."
"I'll be there momentarily. Let me dress." Luke grabbed his pants off a chair. Something was horribly wrong if the physician needed him. He had known the cranky old man for most of his life, and he knew that the doctor wouldn't bother him unless it truly was urgent.
He ran to his father's chambers, which were on the far side of the castle from his own. Dr. Seneel glanced up at him from where he had a stethoscope to Ardec's heart.
"What's wrong with him?"
He half expected a smart retort, but the doctor just shook his head. "I wish I knew. His heart grows weaker, and I sense that his entire body is shutting down. I've tried every remedy I know, and nothing is working."
Luke dropped to his father's side. "He was fine at the gala."
"He began feeling ill that evening. Each day he's grown worse." Dr. Seneel put his hand on Luke's shoulder. "I'm not sure he's going to live."
Panicked, Luke grabbed Ardec's hand. "Come on, you have to fight. Whatever this is, you're stronger. Fight through it."
"I've sent for your sister."
Luke snapped his head around. "Larisa?"
The doctor's brow raised. "Have you another sister?" The sarcasm was not lost on Luke. The doctor knew full well that he only had one sister.
"Did Father ask you to do that?"
"He's in no condition to ask anything. He's been comatose since yesterday."
All the air squeezed out of Luke's lungs. He struggled to catch his breath. "Why wasn't I notified?"
"Your father had asked me not to inform you unless it was critical." Dr. Seneel said the words without inflection. "It's now critical."
