To Scarlett’s surprise, he leaned in and wrapped her in a warm hug. The starchy feel of his uniform and his spicy cologne were new, and his fatherly presence made her heart ache as Lachlan pulled back and smiled at her.
“Come inside.” He led them through the halls of the castle, taking a pace that allowed Scarlett to keep up. “Did you hear from Laylani before you left Soleil? Do you think anyone knows where you’ve gone?”
Scarlett pulled her phone out of her pocket and glanced at it. As expected, it didn’t have service. “My phone stopped working when we went through Mont Noir. Before that, no.”
“Same here,” said Beni.
As they made their way down a hallway, they passed a giant oil painting of a knight on a horse, maybe an ancestor of Lachlan’s.
“Manon, has she contacted you? Your phone is working, correct?” asked Lachlan.
“Why would her phone work if mine doesn’t?” Scarlett stared at her grandmother.
“I can’t talk to Soleil either, Scarlett, but my phone works, yes,” said Manon, looking up at Lachlan from her wheelchair. “I checked it in the car. I haven’t heard from Laylani either.”
James smirked. “We’re going to have to take Scarlett to the Forest Temple.”
Brayden looked amused, like Scarlett was doing something unintentionally funny. “One thing at a time.”
She frowned at James’s know-it-all smirk, but before she could demand to know what they meant, she was diverted again as Lachlan opened a set of double doors to reveal an expansive sitting room. Fine-looking tapestries depicting more medieval scenes covered the walls.
Beni parked Manon’s wheelchair near two long couches. Scarlett sat closest to her grandmother, relaxing back into the soft velvet couch with a sigh of relief. Brayden glanced at theempty space next to her just as Beni plopped into the seat. After a moment’s hesitation, he sat across the antique coffee table from her, next to his brother and his father.
A middle-aged woman appeared, dressed in slacks and a tucked-in button-down shirt. “You must be the visitors General Maddox warned us about. My name’s Flora. I’m part of the castle staff,” she said in a heavy Clair de Lune accent.
Scarlett, Manon, and Beni each introduced themselves to the smiling woman.
“Please let me know if you need anything at all,” said Flora. “For now, can I bring you anything to eat or drink? We make lovely cinnamon hot chocolate here.”
“Yes, please!” said Beni.
Scarlett studied her grandmother, who looked rather peaked even though she was smiling softly. “Do you think we can get Manon some medical attention today?” she asked, directing the question at the Maddoxes.
Lachlan spoke. “Not to worry. I’ve already contacted the doctor. She’ll be here soon—to look after both of you. She’s a fantastic magical healer.”
“That’s great. Thank you.” But even as she thanked Lachlan, Scarlett’s stomach jolted at the idea of someone using magic to heal her. She was all for healing magic in theory, but to her surprise, she was suddenly nervous. She could hear Alastair in her head. If he were here, he’d tell her she’d be a fool to let them try it on her.
But then again, can it be any worse than what the non-magical doctors did to me in Soleil?She snorted softly. No, probably not. And it would be amazing not to need her dad’s cane anymore.
Manon’s expression was full of understanding. “We’ll be healed as soon as we see a doctor.”
Scarlett nodded. She trusted her grandmother, and if she metthe doctor and didn’t trust her, she could always back out.
“Oh, if you need anything, let one of us know, and we’ll sort it,” said Lachlan.
The way he said it suggested they’d be staying awhile.
“We won’t be here long, right?” she asked Manon. Her mind swirled with a thousand more questions, but the pressure to get back to where she was desperately needed trumped them all. Looking toward Lachlan, she continued. “I’m supposed to join Parliament.” She paused to collect herself as she glanced over at Brayden.
Beni scooted closer to her, brushing his hand against her arm in a soothing gesture, and she took a deep breath.
Lachlan leaned forward, his bushy eyebrows dominating his heavy eyes. “I understand, but we need to make sure you’re healthy and then figure out how to ensure your safety in Soleil before you go back. But let’s save the detailed strategy talk for once you’re healed.”
“Are you planning to join Parliament now? Isn’t the age of inheritance in Soleil twenty-five?” asked James. “That’s our minimum age for Parliament.”
The question threw her for a moment. She’d forgotten James had just joined the Clair de Lune Department of Commerce. “I applied for an exception the day I was abducted.” The thought made her dizzy. “The courts probably ruled on my case already. I’ll contact them and make sure.” Grasping the handle of her cane, she stood—although to go where, exactly, she didn’t know.
“Wait, Scarlett. You won’t find the answer right now.” Manon gestured for her to sit.
