Ashton’s expression softens for an instant, then morphs back into his blasé billionaire face. “How are you feeling?” he asks formally.
“I’mfine,” I say a little more forcefully than I would have liked, but broken bones apparently make me cranky.
“You’re not fine, or you wouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed.” Dad’s tone is light, but there’s a dark storm in his eyes when he looks at Ashton.
I can’t blame him, but I have issues with conflict, and that’s all this visit has had.
“It was an accident,” I say in a tired voice.
“Yes, we are all aware of that,” Lyra says before Dad or Spencer could respond. “But the most important question is when are you getting sprung?”
“They said I could probably go home tonight. They’re waiting for some test results to make sure I didn’t break my head, along with my foot.”
This is a joke, but no one reacts like it is.
“I’ll go make sure the results get back ASAP,” Dad says.
“I’m sure they’re doing everything they can,” I soothe. “There was an accident between here and Mary’s Harbour last night, and it was busy.”
“You can’t go back to your apartment,” Spencer says suddenly. “There are too many stairs. It’s too small.”
“I know,” I relent, even though it pains me to say. I like my independence, and if I move home, even for a short time, my mother will treat me like an invalid as well as a disappointment to the family.
“No,” Dad decides. “Come to the castle. You can stay in Camille’s room, it’s big enough for you to have space if you need a wheelchair.”
“A wheelchair?” Ashton asks in a strangled voice.
“I don’t need a wheelchair, I’ll be fine with crutches. But there are so many stairs inthe castle.”
“There’s an elevator. We put it in a few years ago before the Queen of England came for a visit. Just in case.”
“I’m sure she appreciated that.”
“She never used it. But it’s there, and it’s the best place for you to recover.”
“It really is. We’ll all keep you company,” Lyra promises.
“I’ll be there, too,” Ashton says.
6
Ashton
Idon’tlikehowDuncanLaz looks at me. Or Spencer.
Usually, when someone looks at me in a way that I don’t appreciate, I say something. Sometimes I use passive aggression, sometimes it’s outright aggression. I know who I am, and I’m confident enough to stand up to just about anyone.
But Duncan is another story. I hurt hisdaughter.
And he works for the King of Laandia, a country which I am not a citizen of.
I’ve met King Magnus, and he’s a cool guy. He lets me stay at the castle whenever I’m in town, and I’ve even gone out drinking with him. But this was before I caused injury to one of his subjects.
Not only that, but the daughter of his best friend.
Duncan looks at me like I’m no better than gum scraped off the bottom of his Amberjack boots, and I’d be an idiot not to be worried.
He could have me deported. He could have me arrested.
