James continued playing tour guide as he drove, pointing out plant life native to Clair de Lune and various landmarks, but his overview wasn’t enough to distract Scarlett from her friend, who was sitting close enough for her to touch. Brayden caught her looking at him and leaned over to wrap his arm around her shoulders, beaming down at her like it was solstice morning as he let her go. In the excitement of seeing him for the first time, she’d somehow forgotten how gross she was. She resisted the urge to mess with her hair again. At least her clothes were freshfrom that morning.
He leaned in again and pointed out her window, his eyes bright with excitement. “One of my friends lives right there. She’s having a party tonight and would love to meet you.”
Scarlett’s heart thudded as she took in his smell and his heat while simultaneously trying to forget how her hair smelled. “I’d love to, but I need to get Manon to a doctor before I do anything else. There are a few things I need to do, actually.”
His eyebrows rose. “Oh, yeah, of course—you’ve been through so much. A party is probably a stupid idea for tonight.” He searched her face.
“No, it’s not stupid. I really want to go if I can.” Scarlett grabbed his hand and squeezed.
Before long, a massive stone building came into view.
“And there’s home sweet home,” said James.
“Why do you live in a castle?” asked Beni.
“The castle was built when we were still part of the Hieratian Empire, but now it’s where the military is based,” said Brayden. “Since Dad has been head of the army for the past twenty years, it’s where we’ve lived most of my life.”
“It looks huge.” The castle was smaller than Soleil’s parliament, but it looked like it had hundreds of rooms. “Is it just your family that lives there?”
Brayden chuckled. “No. Anyone working for the military or the government can reside there, and given Manon’s work for Dad, it totally makes sense for you to stay with us. It’s nice. There’s always food when you’re hungry, and because of the military, there’s tons of cool stuff—like the archery field and the shooting range.”
Manon’s work for Lachlan?
Before Scarlett could ask what Brayden meant, Beni perked up. “Archery?”
With a glance at Scarlett, Brayden leaned toward him. “Yeah.Have you ever tried it?”
“Only in video games,” said her brother.
“We’ll change that while you’re here.” He grabbed Beni by his shoulder and ruffled his hair, making Beni laugh as he tried to bat his hand away.
James drove through open steel gates onto a circular driveway within the castle’s massive courtyard and parked behind several other vehicles.
As Brayden helped Scarlett out of the SUV, Lachlan strode through the enormous wooden doors, his presence more commanding than it had been through the mirror. He approached Manon first and pressed light kisses on both of her cheeks.
“Back where you belong, eh?”
Manon chortled. “It’s nice to be home.”
Lachlan turned to Scarlett and Beni, who stood shoulder to shoulder. Scarlett had met Lachlan countless times, but his in-person presence was making her a touch nervous.
“Welcome to Clair de Lune.” His dark eyes twinkled. He was handsome. He looked like Brayden, if Brayden had graying hair, a square jaw, and bushier eyebrows.
“Thank you for helping us,” said Scarlett.
“Yeah, thanks,” said Beni.
Lachlan squeezed Beni’s shoulder. “You did well, son.”
Beni hadn’t been slouching, exactly, but he stood taller in response to Lachlan’s words.
“And you,” he said, turning a mischievous smile on Scarlett. “You’re even lovelier in real life.”
Scarlett smiled broadly, half-embarrassed and half-soothed, given her current self-consciousness over her unkempt state.
“Dad,” said Brayden reprovingly.
Lachlan ignored him. “You gave us quite a scare, my dear. I’m so glad you’re safe.”
