Page 49 of The Forsaken Heir

It was then that I realized who this woman was, and it was all I could do not to let out a snort of laughter.

This had been the maid I’d caught Bastien making out with in the pantry all those years ago.

The odds of her standing here before me right now were astounding.

She was the house manager at this young age?

It made me wonder if Bastien had elevated her based on his own desire to have her nearby.

Had he used his position to force her to do his bidding and possibly other darker things?

Perhaps even going so far as to brainwash her into a loyal and obedient servant?

It appeared so. In fact, she looked eager to degrade her employer’s enemies, given how she sneered at us with thinly veiled disgust and haughtiness.

“I would like to lead you to your rooms,” Sasha said, beckoning us onward.

“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.”

“Or anyone getting out, you don’t want out?” 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.

“You did get 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.

“I did,” I lied. “Sure did. A lot has happened, and I didn’t get a chance to respond. I’m sorry, little brother.”

Looking relieved, he said, “I can’t wait for you to meet her, she’s?—”

“Lord Laurent,” Sasha interrupted, “I really must ask that you let our honored guests get freshened up. They need time to rest. They’ve had a long trip here.”

Freddy glared at Sasha, but he nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

“I’ll see you later?” he asked, giving me another hug.

“Most definitely,” I said.

After he backed away, Sasha swept a hand toward the door. “Make yourselves at home.”

Aurelius grunted a reply and led me and the others inside. Once the door to the outer corridor was closed, he turned to Octavian.

“Check it. All of it.”

“Understood, Your Highness,” Octavian said, leading his men on a sweep through the master suite, the three bunkrooms, the small den, and the kitchenette stocked with food and drink to enjoy.

Rasp pulled a pack of high-end cheese from the fridge and held it up. “What are the odds it’s poisoned?”

“Low,” Aurelius said. “Our senses of taste and smell are as good as wolves. We’d smell it before we ate any. But just in case, I’ll have the men check it.”

Once the guards were confident we weren’t in any immediate danger, I collapsed onto the couch in the den.

“You want to take a nap?” Aurelius asked.

“I’d love one, but that’s not going to happen. I’m too anxious.”

He nodded and sat beside me. “This should all be over tomorrow.”

“I hope so.” I glanced out the window at the trees and mountains in the distance.

We were out here, basically on an island, with no help in sight. The only thing that gave me a bit of hope was that not everyone thought I was lying or some disgusting thing to be wiped away. All I could do was pray that this ceremony went off without a hitch, so we could put this all behind us.

The servants came to gather us at dusk. Octavian and the security team had been taking turns to watch the doors and windows, but as of yet they’d seen nothing. When Rasp answered the door, a small unfamiliar woman stood there, looking up at him with fearful eyes.

“Uh…my lord, it’s time. I’m to show you to the conservatory.”

“Got it,” Rasp said, and turned to the rest of us. “It’s go time.”

Standing, I took Aurelius’s hand, and together we followed the woman. The manor was eerily silent as we made our way to the stairs. I assumed everyone was in attendance to watch the spectacle of a fae ritual.