Page 2 of The Thief
She waved to them as they went by and she received a few waves back, the villagers unsure of what was going on.
Scarlett knew they had expected the queen and a parade, but instead it was just her being rushed through the streets to the castle.
They arrived at the bridge and had to stop the carriage, arranging the guards two by two in front of and behind the carriage since the bridge was only wide enough for the carriage.
They were given the go ahead by the watchman at the top of the guard tower for the bridge and the carriage slowly rolled into motion.
Scarlett loved the bridge the instant she saw it.
Ashaven lay across a long bridge of stone that connected the fortress and the actual castle together. The bridge had two layers of stone arches stacked one on top of the other, amazing Scarlett with their construction.
She looked down at the water and was surprised by how clear it was. Scarlett able to see everything in the water below.
Her enjoyment faded when she thought of how Catriona was not here to see it with her; instead, most likely trapped by the large group of men Scarlett had seen following her.
The castle gates opened and they rode through, the guards surrounding the carriage once again when they pulled up to the front doors.
Scarlett went to stand but was told to sit back down by the chief guard, Bradford.
“Sit down, My Lady, until Prince Alastair comes out. I already sent word ahead we were coming and that something had happened.”
Scarlett sat back down as gracefully as possible, the shock of what just happened settling in now. Her hands started to shake so she clasped them together, her fingers woven tightly together.
The doors opened and a man walked out. He was tall and dark haired, with a strong jaw and a slight scruff on his face.
From where she sat, she was not able to tell what color his eyes were, but she imagined they were either blue or green. His nose was long and straight and so were his brows.
He said something to Bradford and he motioned for the guards to dismount, Bradford heading to the door of the carriage and opening it for her, taking her shaking hand in his as she stepped out.
“My Lady, this is Alastair Brannigan,” he said, bowing to her and to Alastair.
Scarlett did a quick curtsy and he bowed in return, taking a step back to motion her inside.
“To the right is the parlor. Please sit down so we can speak about what happened.”
She headed in the open door that awaited her and gasped at the opulence that was Ashaven’s parlor.
“Your parlor is beautiful, sir,” she said, taking in the white couches and the huge bank of windows that lit the room.
“Thank you, My Lady. I will have to tell my mother you said so. Her father’s mother designed it when the castle was first built many years ago.”
She turned and looked at him, finally getting to see him up close. His eyes were as green as the grass in the gardens of Ciomodors Garden. He went to stand by one of the white couches and instead of sitting down, he waited for her to sit first.
Scarlett mentally scolded herself and went to sit down on the couch across from him.
When they were both settled on the couch, he asked, “What happened out there? Where is the queen now?”
Scarlett’s hands started shaking again and she took a deep breath.
“We were sitting on the carriage on our way here and then a large group of men came racing towards us. The soldiers stopped the carriage to protect us, but I know Catriona didn’t want anyone getting hurt so she jumped on the back of a horse with one of the guards and took off. She told Bradford to bring me here to you so that I would be safe.”
Scarlett stood up and walked back to the windows, pressing her fingers against her eyes to hold back the tears she tried not to shed.
“I am safe, but she is not,” she whispered.
“It is what a true ruler does. I would have done the same,” he said, moving to stand next to her.
“They won’t harm her. They need her. I’m not sure for what, but we should know something within the next few days. If it is a ransom they want, then they will send notice.”
