Page 103 of The Heir
Aubri moved back. “No way, mister. I might be pregnant but I’m still strong, and Violetta loves her aunt Aubri.”
“All right. Whatever you say.” Mason tousled his daughter’s hair as we all kept walking through the mansion to the large doors leading out into the garden.
Linea and I were hugged and congratulated for what felt like hours. Over and over, we had to explain how we had developed feelings for each other, and several times I heard her say that she was still trying to understand it herself.
I stayed close to Linea, as I imagined this situation was a bit overwhelming to her, but I should have known that she didn’t need my help.
“What was your impression of France?” Belle asked her when we stood in a group with a few others.
“I loved it. Everything was foreign and vibrant. The people I met were curious about the outside world and I even had the chance to interview around ten people about their faith and spirituality. It’s something my mother and I have an interest in. I did as you suggested and interviewed some of the delegation members as well as practical workers. Indiana was very helpful in introducing me to his friends.”
“Did you go to see Madame Claire like we talked about?” Belle asked with eagerness.
I hadn’t heard that name mentioned. “Who?”
“Madame Claire is a psychic that I thought Linea should meet and interview. I figured she might have interesting answers to Linea’s questions about faith. I don’t know her personally, but my friend Marie is a regular client of Madame Claire. All I know is that she works in secret because the stigma of her work would make her an outcast like…” Belle’s gaze fell on Banni, who stood across from her. “Anyway, the rumor is that she’s an academic with an important day job and then she does her psychic readings at night. You have to know someone who knows her to get an appointment and she never shows her face.”
“Then how does she do her readings?” I asked.
“She wears a mask.”
Linea’s tone dripped with disappointment. “I wish I could have gone to see her, but your friend Marie couldn’t get me an appointment on such a short notice. Apparently, there’s a long waiting list and the fastest I could get in was in two weeks.”
“Oh.” Belle’s shoulder sank. “That’s a shame.”
“Yes, but the good thing is that Freya promised to go instead of me. I wrote her down my questions and she’ll write me the answers.”
My brow rose. “My sister is seeing a psychic?”
Banni, Belle, and Sparrow all looked at me as Linea said, “You don’t have to sound so shocked. It’s not dangerous.”
My chest rose as I heaved in a deep breath. “I don’t like that she’s in France by herself, and the thought of her wandering around the streets to find a strange woman who won’t show her face when they talk… I don’t know, it’s sounds unsafe to me.”
“Don’t worry. She won’t go alone. Belle’s friend Marie will take her,” Linea assured me.
“France is a safe place. Unless she goes to the sketchy parts of course.”
Banni’s words didn’t reassure me. “Freya wouldn’t know what areas are safe or not.”
“Thor.” Belle gave me a pointed stare. “Freya is the smartest person I know. She’s a grown woman who doesn’t need you to worry about her. It’s her time to have an adventure.”
Banni nodded. “Oui, Belle is right. France has a way of changing people. Look what it did to Indiana and Aubri. Maybe Freya can find a wild side inside herself. She admitted to me that she lives too much in her head. We French have a better balance between work and play.”
I frowned. “I know what kind of play you’re referring to, but Freya doesn’t have a wild side like that. Even if she did, there’s no Nmen around to tempt her. No offense, Banni, but I don’t see my sister falling for a French man.”
“Why not? We French can be charming. Just ask Sparrow.” Banni pulled his wife closer and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
“Don’t forget that there are a number of Nmen who work as Explorers now. If Freya wants to have an adventure, she’s in the right place.”
I crossed my arms. “She won’t have time for any of that. She’ll be too busy working.”
None of them contradicted me, but Belle and Banni exchanged a look that told me they disagreed.
CHAPTER 25
Hiding Places
Linea
