“It was time to admit the relationship had run its course. We weren’t solid at all, and we definitely weren’t well-suited for the long term.”
Jules shook his head and held up a hand. “Tell me the truth, not the press release.”
She continued eagerly. “I fell in love with him because the timing was right, not because he was right. He doesn’t love me. He loves that I’m from a powerful family. I want real love, not an alliance.” Scarlett took a couple more deep breaths and forced herself to pause. “I need to go have an experience alone—anyexperience that isn’t this one. I’m dying to get out of Soleil.”
Her father held up his hands like he was surrendering. “I had no idea. You need to see more of the world. Point made. I felt the same way when I was your age, actually, but I met your mother here, and she helped me settle. You do want to come back after your travels, though, right? I’m counting on you to join my staff eventually.” His green eyes were warm with fondness.
Her chest tightened. The truth was, deep down, Scarlett dreaded joining Parliament, but that was a truth she’d never reveal to her father. If she gave up her place as his heir, their only tie to each other would be gone, as would his love for her.
So she lied.
“Of course I want to work with you. Eventually. But I need to do this first.”
“We’ll make it happen, then. If you agree to let me hire a bodyguard to accompany you, I’ll fully support your decision.”
The corner of Scarlett’s mouth twitched. It was just like her father to make her feel like she’d won and then make itconditional. Still, relief overrode her other feelings.
“I can agree to that.”
“Then cheers to you and your adventures abroad.” His smile was uncertain as he raised his glass, and she clinked hers against it. Excitement coursed through her anyway. He’d agreed.
Scarlett took a sip, grimaced as she swallowed the nasty drink, and beamed at him.
“I’ll have my chief of staff make a few calls and start to flesh out your itinerary. You should meet with the Soleil ambassador in Zahara. She has a daughter near your age.” His voice was brighter again.
Scarlett’s world was considerably lighter now that her father had given his blessing.One year of freedom. One beautiful year to be away and be me. And six weeks to be with Brayden.
“How do I look?” asked her father. “Camera-ready?”
A man in his fifties, Jules was handsome, with thick salt-and-pepper hair, crow’s feet around his eyes, and angular cheekbones. Not a hair on his head was out of place.
“Let me just straighten your tie a little.” Scarlett loosened and resecured the knot. “There. Now you’re perfect.”
He smiled at her. “Thank you, darling.”
After they’d finished their whiskey, Scarlett and her father made their way to the parliamentary chambers. She stood behind him while he gave his speech to the two hundred peers of Soleil’s parliament, which included one hundred hereditary seats like the one she would take one day, as well as one hundred elected seats. She listened to Jules’s well-rehearsed speech, clapping and smiling at the correct moments, but inside she was mentally packing for her trip.
Sigur Viður would be freezing, so she’d need her warmest coat. Zahara was mediterranean—would she be able to surf while she was there? She should research surfboard rentals. Her phone wouldn’t work outside of Soleil right away, because the rest ofthe world used magic to power their technology, but someone at the Sigur Viður Embassy would help her set it up to work on their magical network, surely. Whatever that entailed. It had to be like joining a new phone network. Should she bring Brayden a gift? Would he like a new phone? Was that too much?
Her father’s voice grew louder, drawing Scarlett’s attention back to the speech. Lord Jules Heroux’s voice rang with passion, and his words echoed throughout the chamber.
“The time has come to put the prejudices and fears of the past behind us as we open the borders of Soleil to magic-wielding countries. On this Remembrance Day, we honor the people who gave their lives in the Great War that ended nearly two hundred years ago, but let us also celebrate the future they gave us.”
More than half the lords and ladies stood and broke out into thunderous applause. Even some of the Goldenrod Party clapped. Her dad was well-loved.
While reporters jostled each other in the standing room near the podium, each of them eager to snap a picture for tomorrow’s papers, Scarlett struggled to hold her most photogenic smile and not blink at the flashing cameras. As relieved as she was to have revealed her plans to her father, she was also tired from the past twenty-four hours. The breakup with Alastair had taken it out of her.
As soon as the press feeding frenzy died down, Scarlett and Jules joined the stream of people heading to the back entrance of Parliament to prepare for the departure of the Remembrance Day motorcade, which would circle the drivable part of Soleil’s downtown. They were walking the marble-filled hallways when a voice called out.
“Scarlett! Jules!” Lady Elestine Spencer, Jules’s closest colleague, rushed to catch up with them.
Scarlett’s stomach lurched at the sight of her ex-boyfriend’s mother. With her golden-blonde hair and fine-boned features,she was a feminine version of her son and the second-to-last person Scarlett wanted to see today.
“Wonderful speech, Jules.”
Her father beamed. “Thank you.” He leaned in to kiss Elestine’s cheek.
“Scarlett, good to see you,” said Elestine, her tone overly bright.
