Scarlett disagreed, but it was clear he didn’t want to pursue it, so she let the matter drop for the time being.
Charlie gestured to the exit. “Anyway, ready to get out of here?”
“Yes,” said Scarlett. “But first, let’s stop by the newsagents and get Brayden some sunglasses. He’s basically never seen sunlight.” She gave him an affectionate smile as she wondered if he could tan or if he’d just burn. Her pale sweetheart.
Inside the small shop, they found a pair of suitable sunglasses. Scarlett was scanning the newspapers when a glossy magazine caught her eye. An old picture of her and Alastair at the diplomat’s soirée was on the cover.She pursed her lips as she picked it up and flipped to the article. It was an entire spread of pictures taken earlier that year by paparazzi. She scanned the first couple of sentences:“When can we expect to see Lady Heroux and the handsome Alastair Spencer out in Soleil? Here’s an overview of the season’s high-society events!”
Brayden peered at the page and snorted.
She turned to him. “It’s weird they don’t know Alastair and I broke up.” She’d lived multiple lives since that day at the boxing match.
His lips were pursed, and he was frowning slightly. “Not if he hasn’t mentioned it to anyone.”
“Maybe we should send our wedding pictures to the newspapers.”
He gave her a crooked grin. “More than fine by me.”
She glanced at him sideways. “Nice work with the border-control officer, by the way. You’re doing a great job of acting like a doting husband.”
His grin faded. “You know better than to think that was an act.”
“I just meant—”
But he walked away before she could point out that he’d embellished the story somewhat. And maybe he was right. Maybe she needed to take things at face value. Because he washere. For her. She kicked herself mentally for not being more sensitive.
“You’ll make it up to him,” said Nori, comforting her.“I’d wager he’s extra touchy because of that magazine article, but the truth will out.”
Thanks,Nori.It was amazing how much hope Scarlett took from her light’s uplifting comments. She imagined the situation in reverse. If she’d seen a magazine spread featuring Brayden and an ex-girlfriend, she’d probably have had a complete meltdown, especially if he’d gone on to congratulate her on being a great fake wife. She sighed, willing herself to do better.
They made their way out of the shop to the brightness of the Prince’s Street Dock and stood on the boat’s deck while Charlie pulled the lines in, preparing to cast off. The day was oppressively hot. Already pink-cheeked from the heat, Brayden peeled off his dark green sweater, revealing the black T-shirt underneath. Scarlett, who’d taken her cardigan off back in the station, fished her oversized white-framed sunglasses out of her bag and put them on.
She watched as Brayden took in all the grand buildings surrounding the canal. He wore his new aviator sunglasses as he looked at the statue of Hadrian in the middle of the aquatic roundabout. Today the water smelled fresh, without the taint of sewage that occasionally plagued the city, and as usual, the Soleil sun was making the water sparkle. The familiar sights, the warmth—Scarlett was glad to be home. She hoped Brayden was at least somewhat impressed by what he saw.
He noticed her watching him. “It’s so bright here. It’s sunnier than the absolute sunniest day in Clair de Lune. Even Evory… It gets sunnier there, but nothing like this.”
“We do have a winter, but it’s mild, and it’s still sunny most of the time. This place is basically endless summer.” She put her hand into his back pocket and stared up at him, marvelingthat he was here, in her world, and wanting to make him love it enough to come back again and again.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
When they arrived, Scarlett stood on the dock and stared up at House Heroux. It looked as familiar and grand as it always had, but before, it had simply been home. Now it was where she’d been trapped and sedated. It was the home where her father had lived, but he’d never see it again.
Brayden stepped off the boat behind her, and his hand slid into hers.
The front door opened ahead of them, snapping Scarlett out of her reverie. Laylani appeared. She wore a golden sheath dress, and her brown hair was in perfectly coiled curls.
“Such a pretty face for one with such a black heart.”
It was the angriest tone Scarlett had heard from her light.
She probably drinks virgin blood to stay young, thought Scarlett.
The internal conversation quieted as they approached her stepmother. Scarlett had anticipated seeing Laylani, but she still struggled to keep a blank face as she looked at the woman who’d killed her mother and tried to kill her and her grandmother. She squeezed Brayden’s hand as venom bubbled in her stomach. It was sorely tempting to kick off their reunion by pushing Laylani into the canal, but if she began like that, she’d lose what littleelement of surprise she had.
Beni locked gazes with Scarlett and then Brayden before walking down the dock. She and Brayden trailed behind him. He tried to pass his mother and go straight for the door, but Laylani pulled him back from the threshold and grasped him in her arms. Beni accepted the hug, putting one hand lightly on his mother’s back, but his theatrical look of disgust was hidden from her. Scarlett had been full of hate only a second before, but at witnessing this, it took all she had not to burst into laughter.
“Beaufort, I’ve missed you,” said Laylani as she released him.
