Page 90 of The Forsaken Heir
A red blush crept to Sasha’s face, but she bowed her head. “Yes, indeed, Lady Collette, but I have direct orders from Bastien that our guests should be well rested prior to the ceremony.”
“Oh, I’m sure my nephew has many types of orders for you, doesn’t he?” Colette said.
Sasha looked aghast at the subtle dig. Thankfully, my aunt knew when to leave well enough alone and released me.
Holding my shoulders and looking into my eyes, she said, “You look good, my dear. Go on, get freshened up. Hopefully, we’ll have some time later to talk.”
Aurelius took my hand again, pulling me close as we followed Sasha up the stairs while Collette led Sophia away. My little sister waved at me before vanishing down a corridor.
He wrapped his arms protectively around me. “Did you see how the guards reacted to you?” he whispered in my ear.
“I did. Either theyreallybelieve I’m some sort of monster, or they’re putting on a good show.”
“That, or they don’t care either way. At this point, they probably see you as an outsider after all your time away. An outsider arriving on the arm of the dragon prince.”
“True,” I admitted.
Sasha led us to the guest wing. The halls had new carpet, the walls new wallpaper and paint, but I still remembered the layout like it was yesterday.
“Here are your quarters,” Sasha said at the doorway at the end of the hall.
“All of us in here?” Aurelius said with a frown, glancing at the twelve members of his guard and Rasp and Vince. “I appreciate the gesture, but I doubt we’re all going to fit.”
Sasha gave him a simpering smile. “I think it will be more than adequate. The Laurent estate sees many guests. Much more, I’m sure, than you do at the Decimus estate. We’ve made the proper additions. Enjoy your rooms,” she said as she opened the door.
I remembered this from my childhood. The door was actually only an entryway to the full second floor of the west wing. Two hallways intersected in a cross, and several doors led to more suites.
“I see,” Aurelius said, sounding irritated at the reveal. “Thank you. That will be all.”
“I’m sure it will,” Sasha said, backing away. “I hope you don’t find it as a slight, but we will of course have guards posted at this door. We wouldn’t want anyone getting in who shouldn’t be there.”
“Or anyone getting out, you don’twantout?” Aurelius said, eyeing the woman with severe intent.
Sasha bowed lower. “As you say, Your Highness.”
“There you are!”
My eyes snapped up at the familiar voice. Freddy was hurrying down the hall toward us.
“My lord, Frederique,” Sasha said, obviously uncomfortable with the man’s arrival. “The guests are trying to get situated?—”
He pushed past her and the guard. “I can’t believe it,” he muttered and pulled me into a hug.
Releasing Aurelius’s hand, I embraced him, holding him tightly.
“It’s really you,” he said.
“Allegedly,” Sasha muttered, but neither of us acknowledged her.
“It’s me.” I pulled back and cupped my brother’s cheeks. “Oh my god, you’re so grown up.”
“So are you,” he said, grinning like a madman at me. “Did you get my invitation? To the wedding? Surely you’ve heard I’m engaged?”
My smile faltered a bit, the corners of my mouth turning down, and a line formed between my brows. Freddy must have noticed it, because his brow furrowed.
“Youdidget my invite, didn’t you?” he asked. “I gave it to the staff to be delivered over a month ago.”
Not wanting to dig up family drama here in front of everyone, I decided not to tell him that his invite had been intercepted. Instead, our mother had sent a letter more or less telling me to go over three thousand miles away so as not to embarrass them. Though, I did take some solace in the fact that Freddy did want me there.
