“We’ll be there too, of course,” said Elestine with a tired smile.
She must have so much on her shoulders, thought Scarlett.
“Much like you,” said Nori.
The rest of the day went by at breakneck speed. The chamber questioned John Bates, the head of the Soleil Bureau, for hours. He repeated claims about decoded electronic communications and had a list of names of those supposedly involved. At one point, Elestine got the Sigur Viður ambassador on the phone, and Bates read him the names of those who’d supposedly carried out Jules’s murder. The ambassador cross-checked the names and told the chamber those people didn’t exist in theSigur Viður citizens registry. John Bates had looked shocked, making Scarlett think he was either ignorant to the truth or an exceptional actor. After the exchange with the ambassador, the contingent pushing for war knew they’d lost, and there was no argument when Elestine moved to adjourn the session.
When Scarlett left the peers’ chambers, it was dark outside, and her body ached from the stress of the long day. She walked slowly back to her office and found Brayden waiting for her inside.
“There she is.” He stood as she entered and gave her a peck on the cheek. “How did it go?”
She grabbed his shirt, holding him close. “We came close to declaring war on Sigur Viður, but we avoided it in the end.”
His eyes filled with worry. “War?”
“Yes. Have you seen the news?”
He shook his head, so she filled him in on the alleged evidence.
Brayden’s face darkened as he learned how close they’d come to war. “What a first day.”
“In the end, Elestine released a statement to the press to say we’re still reviewing the evidence. We’ll have to give the public something more significant as soon as possible.” She let out a loud sigh and pulled Brayden toward the chairs beside her father’s globe of whiskey. After one day on the job, she understood better why he drank so much.
Scarlett poured them each a small glass and sat next to Brayden with her drink in hand. “How wasyourday?”
“Good. Successfully met with the general my father wanted me to meet. We had lunch and he showed me around army headquarters. He was surprised to hear we got married.” He laughed to himself. “Seems like he’ll be a helpful contact in the future. And I had a chat with Cassidy. Itwasher at the boxing match, so Lachlan was right—she’s a nocturna. Cass was cryptic at first when I asked about the night she met you, but when Imade it clear I’m only trying to hire a bodyguard on your behalf, she relaxed. She seems great, and she’s free to meet tomorrow morning.”
Scarlett’s face lit up. “That’s so perfect. I’d love to meet her tomorrow, and I’m thrilled she’s the same Cass I met. I really trust her after what she did for me that night. Thank you for getting in touch with her.” She squeezed Brayden’s hand. “Shall we grab some dinner and head home? Beni sent me a text to tell me he’s invited his buddy Blake over, and he asked me to order them pizza, if you’re up for that.”
“Sure.”
Scarlett was locking her door in the hallway when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to find Alastair and Brayden staring at each other. Elestine was nowhere in sight.
“Alastair, what are you doing here? I don’t want to speak to you,” said Scarlett. She wanted to tell him to fuck off after their earlier conversation, but she was bone-tired and didn’t want another blowup.
“I came to see him. Mother mentioned he might be with you.” He was eyeing Brayden up and down, and the angry glint in his eye had Scarlett’s hackles up. The contrast between the two was stark. Brayden looked, if not happy, calm, while Alastair was on the verge of a temper tantrum. Brayden was muscular, and Alastair was fit but lean. Most importantly, she was madly in love with one and couldn’t remember what she’d ever seen in the other.
Brayden folded his arms across his chest. “Alastair. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Clearly, he hadn’t heard good things.
Alastair looked like he wanted to physically assault him. “She might not see you for what you are, but don’t think you’ve fooled me. Iknowyou’ve compelled her somehow, and I’ll have you arrested.”
Scarlett’s fingertips went to her lips. She nearly died ofembarrassment. What would Brayden think, knowingthiswas the man she’d loved before him?
Brayden shifted his stance, placing himself more squarely in front of her. “How little you know about the world. We don’t do compulsion where I’m from. You’re a fool if you think that’s why she left you.”
Scarlett grimaced. Only days ago she’d asked James if her vox power was a form of compulsion… but she was still different from Alastair. Shewantedto be a part of the outside world. To know it better.
“Then why did she, if you know so much?” scoffed Alastair.
Scarlett wanted to save Brayden from this, but he took a step forward, looking more than happy to answer. “Where to begin? How about this—you only care about yourself. She was suffering under the surface, and you either had no idea or didn’t care.” He took another step closer as Alastair took one step back.
Scarlett was as riveted by Brayden’s words as she was anxious to get him away from Alastair’s poison.
“Or maybe she broke up with you because you didn’t know what to do with her in bed,” said Nori, as if Alastair could hear her.
Scarlett’s eyebrows flew up.Did you really just say that?
“Yes.”Nori laughed.
