Page 34 of The Heir
Maybe I should call her.My pulse spiked just from the thought, but I decided that it was the mature thing to do and Freya would have Linea’s contact information.
No.Linea was coming in two weeks. I could always apologize then. It wasn’t as if she’d been nice to me either. Linea probably didn’t think it was a big deal.It’s not a big deal.
Deciding that I was blowing it out of proportion I called my cousin Aubri instead to congratulate her on her pregnancy.
CHAPTER8
Land of Mystery
Linea
In the two weeks following Thor’s promise that I could come with him to France, I was beside myself. Seeing the mysterious Old Europe with my own eyes was a dream. Everyone I spoke to was jealous because traveling to a place where people spoke a different language was like something from before the Toxic War.
History taught us that back then each country had felt like a different planet with local fashions, food, and culture. For thousands of years people had struggled with language barriers but then translation devices were invented and suddenly everyone could travel the world and communicate without problems. For the past four hundred years, the language barrier had been removed as English was the official language in both the Motherlands and the Northlands. Up until seventeen years ago we hadn’t known that there were any survivors in Europe. The fact that they had a different language from the rest of the world made France extraordinary.
I’d often told my parents that I would have liked to have lived at a time when traveling included having your mind blown from different impressions. My mom had brought me to most parts of the Motherlands and despite differences in nature and scenery everything was familiar. That was the downside to being one country with the same language, rules, and laws.
Going to France would be my chance to experience something extraordinary.
I’d talked to Freya daily and when I arrived the night before our departure, I slept in her room.
We were like two little kids talking half the night. She told me not to feel bad about taking Aubri’s place and showed me the wardrobe she had packed for the journey. Freya was as excited to go as I was and told me about the delegation members and the traditions of a summit. According to her it wasn’t all talk and politics. There would be time for socializing and to visit some of the shops and streets.
The next morning, Freya woke me at four in the morning. Excitement ran through me as I lay in bed, but the feeling turned to nervousness when I tuned in on Freya, who was dressing in front of her large mirror.
“Why are you nervous?” I asked her. “You’ve been to France before and know what to expect.”
“I’m not nervous.” Freya spun from side to side, watching her reflection in the mirror with a critical look on her face.
“You look gorgeous, Freya.”
“Do I?” Her shoulders fell. “It shouldn’t matter, but the French care a lot about fashion, and they love colorful outfits. I had this made to fit in a little better but now I feel silly.”
Her long brown hair flowed down her back, contrasting with the bright yellow sweater she had on. “Is it too much with these?” She held up matching earrings.
“No, you look lovely.”
While putting on the jewelry, Freya met my gaze in the mirror. “You should get out of bed. I want the drone to leave on time.”
After a quick shower, I put on soft and comfortable clothes for the journey and carried my bag downstairs. Seeing Indiana in the grand entrance hall, I smiled. “Good morning, Indy. Do you know if there’s any breakfast?”
“It’s become a tradition that we eat in the drone. Freya had the kitchen pack us food for the journey. She’s the one who organizes everything.”
“How is Aubri feeling? Did our remote healing session help her?
He pushed his brown hair back. “She says it did. It was nice of your mom and you to take the time. The pregnancy has been hard on Aubri. I can’t wait for our twins to be born so that I can help more.”
“Will she be all right with you being gone for a week?”
“Sure. My parents and Sparrow live close to us and they’re all keeping an eye on Aubri while we’re gone. I commissioned Belle to paint a portrait of Aubri. Hopefully that will make her sit still for a little while.”
Sounds of running steps made me look up to see Thor coming down. He was wearing a fashionable leather jacket.
Prepared to bury the hatchet and get along on this trip, I smiled at him. “Morning, Thor.”
Thor stopped right in front of me. “Good morning.” He didn’t say more than that, but he looked into my eyes as his scent of cologne engulfed my senses. Acute heat spread in my belly and shot downward.
“Thor, seriously, why are you wearing leather?” Freya came running down the stairs and spoke as she jogged past us. “You know it’s offensive to Linea and the other Motlanders. By the way, I’m sorry I’m late.”
