“Hang on,” Aurelius said, holding a hand up.
Sasha blinked. “I’m sorry?”
Aurelius swept his hand toward me. “You’ve greeted me, but you’ve yet to greet Lady Brielle.” He arched an eyebrow. “Or is House Laurent not as hospitable as you’ve made it out to be?”
Sasha’s eyes darted from Aurelius to me, and her lips and jaw worked, almost as though someone had shoved a wedge of lemon into her mouth. After a moment’s struggle, that same soulless smile returned.
“Of course. My apologies. I only assumed you would be tired from the road and want to freshen up.” She inclined her head toward me. “Welcome,
Lady Brielle.”
I noted the almost sarcastic way she emphasized the word ‘lady’. Aurelius opened his mouth to say something about it, but I put a hand on his arm.
“It’s fine,” I whispered, and then addressed Sasha. “Thank you. I look forward to reacquainting myself with the grounds.”
Sasha’s eyes narrowed, but she said no more as she turned to lead us into the house.
We’d barely stepped through the door when a shout rang out, echoing across the huge foyer.
“Elle?”
I turned at the sound of my name and nearly sobbed. My little sister Sophia ran toward me, her arms open, and a tearful smile on her face. She was so grown up. When I’d left, she’d only been a little girl. Now, she’d blossomed into a lovely young woman. Bitter sadness welled in my chest. I’d missed so much.
“Sophia!” I cried and wrapped my arms around her.
Around us, the Laurent guards stiffened, Aurelius’s men took a step forward, circling the prince. Did these Laurent men really think I would hurt my sister? Of course, many probably believes I was some sort of skinwalker hired by the Decimus family.
Ignoring the men, I held my sister, running my hand through her dark red hair. I’d missed her so much.
“Come along, dear,” another voice said.
When I looked up, through tear-blurred eyes, I saw Aunt Collette striding forward, waving for Sophia to join her. To my intense relief, my aunt smiled warmly at me as she approached.
“Hello, my dear. It’s been too long.”
Releasing Sophia, I hugged my aunt. “I missed you guys so much,” I said, nearly sobbing as I spoke.
Colette rubbed my back, and when we separated, her eyes glimmered with unshed tears.
“We’ve missed you as well,” she said, then cast a sidelong glance at the guards and Sasha standing nearby. “Well, some of us have, anyway.”
“I think our guests need to get to their rooms to relax,” Sasha said, interrupting the reunion.
Colette gave the other woman a withering smile. “I think I might be allowed a few moments with my niece. Or do you forget your place,
Sasha
?” she said, sneering the woman’s name.
No love lost between these two, it seems.
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 they really believe 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.”
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