She had to find out if there was truth in Lady Manning’s words.
Caspian nodded. “Are you able to go?” he asked.
Sophia took a deep breath and leaned against his shoulder. “Will you go with me?”
“Anywhere,” he said.
The words brought a smile to her face, even as a new thought came to her. She looked down, unwilling to meet his gaze as she asked quietly, “Will you still love me if I’m Lady Manning?”
Caspian put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to look at him. “I wasn’t lying when I said I loved you. That means I love you, no matter what your name or title is, no matter what you do. As long as you’re my Sophia, I love you.”
Tears came to her eyes as he leaned down and kissed her. The promise of forever love was almost more than she could bear. After searching for years for love and a family, she finally had one—and the hope of more than that, if she truly was Lady Manning.
Could she handle this much happiness in one day?
“Oh, I love you, too,” she said, the words making it out around the lump in her throat.
“I suppose that’s a good thing, given that I had my arm sliced open for you,” he teased.
Sophia shuddered at the reminder, reaching up to touch his upper arm. “I don’t want to think about that. But speaking of, how is your arm this morning?”
Caspian shrugged with his good shoulder. “It still hurts but not as badly. I’ll unwrap it when we get to our mansion in Riyel and send for a healer to look at it. I’m sure all will be well.”
His family owned a mansion in Riyel, too.
That made sense. And, if she was being honest, the idea of having somewhere to go to that wasn’t tainted by horrible memories flooded her with relief.
He turned to her. “Unless you’d rather go to see Rosaleen right away,” he said. “I should have asked and not assumed.”
Sophia shook her head. “I think I’d rather go to your home.”
Lord Kellan appeared, and Caspian turned to face him. “We’re going to Riyel,” he informed his brother.
“I’m going, too,” Lord Kellan said. “I’ll handle the prisoners for you. I’ll have more authority.”
Caspian nodded. “I’m taking Sophia home first, unless you want us there when you make your accusations.”
Lord Kellan shook his head. “No, it won’t be a quick process, and I’d rather give the king time to think about it and make his own inquiries before he interrogates Sophia. If there’s anyone who may know for sure,” he said, turning to Sophia, “can you talk to them before the king summons you?”
“Of course, Lord Kellan,” Sophia said.
He shook his head. “None of that. Call me Kellan.”
“I’ll try to remember that,” Sophia said, allowing herself a small smile.
“You’re going to have to practice if it’s the truth,” he pointed out.
Sophia took a deep breath. He was right.
“We can cross that bridge when we get to it,” Caspian said, taking her hand and squeezing it. “For now, just call him Kellan. All that lord stuff goes to his head.”
Kellan shook his head. “You’re one to talk. Are you ready to leave?”
“I do need a moment in the woods before we leave,” Sophia said quietly.
“Of course,” Kellan said. “Let me make sure it’s safe first.”
Sophia looked up at Caspian, her eyes wide, as Kellan made his way to the woods. Was this going to be her new normal?
