"How long will you be gone?"
Sarah met Luke's eyes over Wren's shoulder. He gave a little shrug. "I don't know," she answered, "but if it's for an extended amount of time, I'll come back or send word."
"Okay. I have no problem staying here as long as you need me. I think Ezra and the others have found this ranch to be just what they needed also."
When Vinia returned, she held a small bag. "This is the idol that belongs to your kingdom. Please be sure it gets put back where it belongs, and your archives are corrected for Jeremiah."
Luke tucked it in the top of Sarah's bag. "I'll do that as soon as everything is settled. And I'll make sure the guest wing of the castle is prepped and ready, so whenever you want to visit, you have a place to stay as long as you want."
Vinia kissed Sarah again. "Be careful."
Tyson and Logan ran up as they were preparing to take off. "Whoever it was is gone. We're pretty sure it was a dragon though."
Luke nodded. "I'll be doing an investigation when I get home. I'll find out who has been through the gates or gone missing for any period of time."
Sarah's heart was in her throat as they finally flew off. She stayed close to Luke so their wings were almost touching.You have no reason to be nervous about going to the gardens. You've been there before.
Even still, she couldn't shake the feeling that life was about to get turned upside down even more than it already was.
They stopped outside the gates and shifted back. Luke picked up her bag and held out his arm. "Come on. I want you to meet the guards."
Sarah smiled at the guard that she had questioned on her last trip. "I hope you're allowing people through the gate this time."
Luke gave her a quizzical glance. "You know the guard?"
"He's the one who verified your father's death for me."
The guard swung his arm toward the gate. "Your Majesty, welcome home."
Luke stopped. "Has anyone from the castle been in or out today?"
"No, Sir. It's been a very slow day."
As they walked toward the palace, Sarah couldn't help but ask the obvious question. "If the guy who started the fire was a dragon, why would he pass through the gate?"
"Because it's law," Luke answered simply. "If someone is flying off the radar to get out of the city, then I need to know about it. My father may have had questionable decisions, but he had some great rules. I want to keep track of my people, so that's one rule that I will not change."
"I hate to think that it's one of your guards."
"Me too, my love. Me too."
Larisa met them at the door. She threw her arms around Luke. "I have been so worried about you."
"How'd you know we were back?"
She shrugged. "I know everything." Larisa turned to Sarah. "And you must be the one."
"I certainly hope so," Sarah answered. She extended her hand. "Sarah Hale."
Larisa shook it. "Larisa Ardec." Her eyes fell to Sarah's belly before she looked at her brother again. "Something you forgot to tell me?"
Sarah giggled. "It's not his fault. He didn't know either." Her eyes widened. "Not because I didn't want him to know. I just hadn't seen him."
Larisa waved her hand. "It's fine. I know how my father was. Luke was right in keeping you a secret."
"Is that my grandson and his bride-to-be?" An elderly woman walked toward them.
"Grandma, this is my soon-to-be-wife, Sarah. Sarah, this is my grandmother, Tuva."
