“You can’t help him,” Blaine said quietly into her ear “Don’t put yourself in danger trying to.”
Caris remembered her lessons from Meleri well and stayed put when all she wanted to do was rail at the injustice happening before her. But getting caught up in a collateral charge would help no one.
“I’ll find you, Caris,” Nathaniel promised as he was escorted away by two debt collectors.
He hadn’t fought, and he hadn’t run. Caris would always wonder if things could have been different if he had, if she’d used starfire to keep him safe.
If she’d done anything in that moment to forge a different road.
But there was no taking back his decision as Nathaniel went quietly to ensure they weren’t targeted. Caris covered her mouth with one hand, blinking back tears as she watched him get pulled into the paddy wagon. The doors shut seconds later, and the vehicle drove off, muffler popping.
“How did they find him?” Portia asked.
“They must have followed him to your home. It’s a good thing they didn’t follow us to the Auclair estate,” Blaine said.
Caris couldn’t help the faint sob that escaped her, and she suddenly found herself wrapped up in the comforting familiarity of her mother’s arms. Caris squeezed her eyes shut, but that didn’t stop the tears.
“How do we get him back?” Caris asked.
“We’ll figure something out,” Portia murmured. “Right now, I need to find your father.”
Caris sniffed a little, trying to get herself under control. “I left my televox at home.”
“I have mine. I’ll meet up with him, but I want you to go with Blaine.”
“Mother—”
“Listen to me.” Portia put her at arm’s length and framed Caris’ face with both hands, offering her a smile with trembling lips. “I love you very much, but I want you safe. Blaine will keep you safe.”
Caris wiped the back of her hand over her cheeks, trying to dry her tears. “I want to go with you.”
“No, darling. Not this time.”
“I’ll guard her,” Blaine said in a quiet voice filled with a sort of conviction Caris didn’t know what to make of.
Portia stared at him with an indecipherable expression on her face. “I know you will. Your duty was always to her.”
“Mother?” Caris asked.
Portia shook her head and kissed Caris on the cheek. “I love you. I always have and always will. Remember that.”
It was a farewell, but it felt heavier than that. Blaine stayed by Caris’ side, matching his stride to hers, and guided her forward while she kept looking back at what she was leaving behind.
Eight
BLAINE
For the first time in all the years that Blaine had lived in Amari, he entered the Auclair estate through the front door.
The only reason he wasn’t thrown out immediately while wearing a veil was due to Caris’ presence.
“Is Her Grace available?” Caris demanded of the servant who answered the door.
“She’s in her study and asked not to be disturbed, miss,” the maid said with a quick curtsy as they entered the mansion.
“She’ll want to see me.”
Caris swept forward with the assuredness of someone who knew her place. Blaine overtook her on the stairs and led the way to Meleri’s private study. He knocked loudly on the door to give a warning before testing the knob. Finding it unlocked, he pushed the door open.
