Chapter Fifteen #2
Scarlett stopped in her tracks. “James? Why would it be him?”
Stopping too, Brayden barked out a relieved laugh.
“So it wasn’t him—good. I didn’t really think it would be.
James and I were talking about you going to the Forest Temple, and he was all, ‘She could see her future husband. Or not. It might be someone she barely knows or doesn’t even like, and then it’ll be totally weird.
’ Then he told me how pretty he thinks you are. It rubbed me the wrong way.”
He started down the forest path again, but Scarlett grabbed his hand, and he spun around to face her.
“So you don’t like the idea of me being with James?” she whispered.
His brown eyes searched hers as he gave her a humorless smile. “I don’t.”
Still holding his hand, she took a step closer. “I wanted you to kiss me, and you said no.”
“I told you, I won’t be your rebound,” he growled. “You just broke up with Alastair, and you’re leaving soon. I don’t want you to think I took advantage of your grief or something.”
She believed him now, far more than she had the night he’d rejected her, but she wanted more. “That’s considerate, but it also sounds like an excuse to let me down easy. Explain to me why you don’t like the idea of me and James.” She pushed him lightly to emphasize her point.
His grip on her hand tightened, and she squeezed it back. “No more theoretical situations involving my brother. Tell me who you saw in the mirror, and I’ll tell you how I feel.”
“Tell him the truth,” said Nori. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“You sound jealous. Are you jealous?” asked Scarlett. Despite Nori’s reassurances, she wanted more from Brayden before she spilled her guts.
The wind picked up, blowing her hair across her face.
His gaze was locked on hers. “Okay, fine. I guess I’m going first. Are you sure you’re ready to hear this?”
“Yes.” She tensed, fearing he’d destroy her. But if he said what she needed to hear…
“I want it to be me. And if, for some Goddess-damned reason, you saw someone else…” His voice was rough with longing and jealousy.
Her answering smile felt as bright as the sun. “It wasn’t someone else. It was you. No one means more to me than you do. It was always you.” She searched his face, willing him to close the distance between them.
Looking like he was exercising every ounce of control he possessed, Brayden stuck his finger through the belt loop of her pants and pulled her closer until they were toe to toe. “Was it really me?” He stood so close his quiet words sent a shiver down her spine.
Scarlett nodded rapidly as she rested her hand on his stomach. His stare seared into her, and her heart raced.
Everything between them hung in the air.
Years of wondering what would happen if they met; years of longing locked deep inside her heart.
She’d always hoped for a pathway to this, even if she couldn’t see how it would happen.
She’d been through so much, but it had all led her here, to this moment.
Touching him. Being with him. No glass between them.
Everything I’ve been through was worth it because it led me to you.
“Scarlett…” His long eyelashes lowered as his gaze moved to her mouth. He looked like he wanted to devour her. She gripped the fabric of his shirt as he leaned down, and his mouth was warm as he moved his lips against hers.
Their kiss was soft at first, but as his remaining walls crumbled before her, she eagerly deepened it, burning with need as his tongue brushed against hers. His hot mouth—Goddess. She pressed herself to him, unable to pull him close enough. She needed all of him, always, right here.
Brayden’s cedar scent enveloped her as she threaded her fingers in his hair with his mouth on hers. His hands gripped her waist, pulling her against him. The taste of him, their bodies pressed together—she was lost for good.
He’s it for me. Nothing will ever compare to this. To him. A tingling joy coursed through her chest, and Nori’s laugh sounded in response.
After a few long seconds, some rustling in the bushes behind them startled her. Scarlett reluctantly pulled back. She was getting far too worked up for being on a public path. Just as reluctantly, Brayden let her go. His piercing stare told her he was equally smitten.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long.” His cheeks were adorably pink.
“How long?” she said. “It can’t be as long as I’ve wanted you to.”
“I think since day one,” he said with a laugh.
And with those words, her life’s biggest question—did he really feel the same?—was answered.
Scarlett hadn’t stopped smiling.
“I have so much to say to you,” he told her, “but we can’t stand here all day. Should we go back to my room and talk?”
“Yes,” said Scarlett with an emphatic nod.
Brayden intertwined his fingers with hers, and they resumed their walk at a brisker pace.
Back at the castle, they were on their way to the privacy of Brayden’s room when they spotted Manon and Lachlan in the ground-floor lounge.
Scarlett sighed. She wanted to be alone with Brayden, but the excitement in Manon’s eyes as she caught sight of Scarlett softened her irritation.
Brayden squeezed her hand, and as Scarlett squeezed back, Manon’s eyes flicked to their joined hands, and her lips pressed into a satisfied line.
“Your light.” Manon beamed as she stood to greet them.
“Don’t keep us in suspense,” said Lachlan. “What’s your valor?”
“I’m a vox.” She pulled down the collar of her sweater, and they both peered at Scarlett’s tattoo.
“What a gorgeous valor,” said Manon. “A vox. I always wondered if Jules would’ve been a vox. He was such a gifted orator. We’ll find you some books on your valor before you return to Soleil.” She lowered herself into her seat slowly, like it was a struggle, and Scarlett watched her with concern.
Lachlan raised his bushy eyebrows as he studied Nori.
“Congratulations on gaining your light and your valor.” Like Brayden, he was dressed in olive-green slacks and a shirt of the same color, with a nameplate sewn into the breast that read “L. Maddox.” Five brass stars were affixed below his name. “Please, sit with us for a moment.”
“Thank you,” said Scarlett, trying not to feel frustrated. All she wanted was to be alone with Brayden. But it would be silly to make an excuse and run off.
She and Brayden sat side by side on the couch across from Manon and Lachlan. Scarlett had to resist reaching out and resting her hand on his thigh.
“Where are James and Beni?” asked Scarlett.
“James is at work. He usually works late. His boss runs him ragged,” said Lachlan.
“That sounds familiar,” said Scarlett, thinking of her father.
“Beni is with the friends he met at archery practice,” said Manon.
“He didn’t seem interested in hearing about valors when I offered to give him a lesson after he got back from the temple.
Said he’d learn about it from those kids.
” Manon laughed, clearly pleased Beni had made some friends. That pleased Scarlett too.
“What’s your valor, Lachlan?” asked Scarlett, realizing his was still unknown to her.
“I’m a specter,” he said.
“His power is creepy,” Brayden whispered in her ear.
Lachlan scoffed. “It’s not creepy—it’s extremely useful. I can dematerialize.”
“He dissolves until his body is in a billion tiny pieces, like a Lachlan cloud, and then he can slip under closed doors as long as there’s a tiny gap,” said Brayden.
“Wow,” said Scarlett. That sounds useful for espionage.
“Truly,” replied Nori.
“I’ll show you sometime, if you like,” said Lachlan. “I’d do it now, but I don’t feel like having to put on all my clothes again. They fall off when I shift.”
Scarlett forced the image of Lachlan getting dressed out of her mind. “I’d love to see another time.”
“Anyway, I’m glad you’ve got some magic to take back home with you,” said Manon. “It’ll help you during this difficult time.”
“I’m going to need more than a vox valor to help me take down Moira and Laylani. And figure out who killed my dad.” Scarlett let out a growl of frustration. “I really believe they had something to do with Dad’s death.”
“I agree,” said Brayden, his presence beside her solid and reassuring even though they weren’t touching.
“Walk me through your logic, front to back,” said Lachlan, his focus on Scarlett.
“I read a conspiracy theory in the paper that my dad’s death was an inside job, and it made so much sense to me.
” A burst of energy ran through Scarlett as she spoke.
Her gut told her it was all true. “The black market in Soleil lines the pockets of the police and Goddess knows who else in the government. That bribe money could easily flow to the bureau—or some of them, anyway. How is it possible they still have zero leads on the death of a prime minister? It makes more sense they’re taking the dent to their reputation for money and power.
What if some of those funds are lining Goldenrod pockets too?
What needs to happen for them to keep making that money?
” She looked from Manon to Lachlan, gauging their reactions.
Manon looked stoic, and interest flickered across Lachlan’s face. Scarlett turned to Brayden.
“The borders need to remain closed, and magic needs to stay illegal,” said Brayden. His leg pressed against hers as they sat side by side, and his touch grounded her.
“And that’s the Goldenrod Party’s entire platform,” said Scarlett in a quieter voice.
“They claim they want to keep our citizens safe from the evils of magic, but it’s really all about money and control.
My dad thought so. I think so too. It makes perfect sense they’d have my dad killed right before he opened up Soleil.
Moira, her party, the bureau, my dad’s death…
I feel it in my bones that they’re all linked. ”
Lachlan rubbed his jaw as he stared off into space. “I’ve had dealings with the Goldenrod Party on occasion, and it’s not hard to imagine you’re right. If your father’s murder was financially incentivized, there’ll be a paper trail of some kind.”
“Yes,” said Scarlett, determination steeling her. “The evidence has to be out there. I just need to find it.”
At the very least, the head of the Goldenrod Party had threatened her and worked with her stepmother to kill her. She’d start by proving that. If she was right about her dad’s death, the whole thing was so much bigger.
Lachlan continued. “Trust your gut, and by all means look for evidence, but tread carefully. If you end up going up against powerful people who signed off on your father’s death, they’ll stop at nothing to avoid being exposed. And they’ll have virtually unlimited resources at their disposal.”
She knew that, but she appreciated his concern. “Yes, of course. I’ll be as careful as I can.”
“Dearest, don’t forget, you are not alone in this,” said Manon. “We’ll prove it together. If we come up with a plan, I can use the oculus sight to check it.”
“I’ll help in any way I can,” said Lachlan in a gruff voice.
“And me, obviously.” Brayden nudged his shoulder against hers.
Gratitude washed over her as she looked at each of them. “Thank you. That means a lot.” She couldn’t resist leaning into Brayden, briefly resting her cheek on his arm before sitting upright once more. “By the way, I haven’t seen the news today. Did anything happen while I was at the temple?”
“I read today’s papers, and there’s nothing new,” said Manon. “Feels a bit like waiting for the axe to drop, but I suppose we should enjoy the calm while we can.”
“Elestine will get my letter tomorrow, right?” asked Scarlett.
“Yes,” said Brayden. “It’ll be there in the morning.”
“Then we’ll have to wait a day before she can reply, so we might hear from her the day after,” said Manon.
“The firewall is a pain in the arse,” said Scarlett.
“Indeed.” Lachlan gave her a small smile.
Scarlett stood, out of patience and desperate to talk to Brayden alone. “Today was full-on. I’m going to lie down, if that’s all right.”
“Rest well,” said Manon.
“Congratulations again on your valor and your light,” said Lachlan warmly.
Brayden rose. “Can I walk you to your room?”
“Yes, that would be great.” Scarlett glanced at her grandmother. The older woman was studying her hands with great interest, and a telling smile tugged at her lips.
“Good night,” said Scarlett with a parting wave.
Once they were safely out of earshot, she spoke. “I still want to talk. Doesn’t have to be in my room though.”
She hadn’t seen his room yet and was actually dying to. The air was charged with the understanding they wouldn’t just be talking as they walked side by side up the staircase to the second floor.
“I’ve got drinks in my room,” he said.
“Lead the way.”
He slid his hand into hers, and with a shiver of excitement, she gripped it tightly.