Page 85 of The Thief
Chapter Eighteen
It had taken a week, but Alastair was certain that they had gotten every secret door in the castle, his certainty reassuring Scarlett of their safety. They had combed through every room and sealed every secret door they’d found. Although, there seemed to be less than he’d originally thought.
For that, he was quite thankful. The lack of doors meant that Rhys only had a few options of getting back into the castle. None of them would be particularly easy.
He let out a chuckle, turning serious again as his thoughts went to their still missing queen.
Alastair had heard rumors over the last few days that Prince Owyn Breams of Malachite Expanse, had been receiving letters of some kind. Owyn had done his best to keep word from getting out, but that had been impossible, as it was the first news they’d had of the queen since she disappeared.
A few days ago, Alastair had received a message from Owyn, asking to come to Elfyre Hollow because they had information that just might help them find the queen. He had no doubt that the information was connected to the rumors going around.
He had sent him a message encouraging Owyn to come as soon as he was able. Alastair only hoped he would come soon.
Alastair sighed softly.
He’d sent a messenger to Cobalt Lagoon with half of the last bottle of antidote; Brigid was having too many issues creating the antidote properly. With the antidote in her possession, her scientists should be able to create more. He also had sent word to the hospital to check if there was any antidote on the island. So far, they had not had any luck, and that made Alastair worry greatly. He wasn’t sure how long they could hold off with what they had. They might be able to keep her alive for a couple of weeks at best, if given the same doses that they estimated she’d been getting.
Anything other than that and she’d only last a few days.
Frustration rose up, choking him. He coughed and leaned against the wall, confusion filling his heart.
He had never cared so much about a person before, with the exception of his parents, and it scared him.
But the thought of losing her to this poison made him physically ill, as if he would lose his stomach over it. With a start, he realized what had happened—he’d gone and fallen in love.
He was so shocked that he leaned back against the wall.
Now he knew. How to tell her? He wanted it to be special, and something she remembered. His proposal was lackluster, but to tell her he loved her, that was going to be made special.
A few hours later, Alastair sat in his study when a knock came at the door.
“Come in!” he called, looking up from his work to see who it was. When he saw Scarlett standing in the doorway, he stood quickly, coming around his desk to meet her.
“Is everything all right?” he asked, leaning against the desk as she made her way into the room.
She shook her head and held out her hand to him. In it was a note, addressed to Alastair.
“Bard came and gave this to me and asked me to bring it to you. I am not sure why though.”
With a shrug, he took the note, opening it and reading the contents. When that was complete, he looked up at her, hope in her eyes.
“It is from Owyn. He writes to let us know that he is on his way here to us. He also says that he is bringing Princess Elsa Dormhnall of Dewberdeen. I didn’t know King Ethan had a daughter, only a son.”
“For her safety, they probably didn’t reveal her existence.” Scarlett looked away, then back at him. “I do know quite a few Dormhnall relatives and they all spoke of Everett only. How lonely she must have been growing up.”
Alastair smiled at her remark, always thinking about others. Of course, that was just one thing he loved about her. One of many.
“There must have been other children on the isle for her to play with,” he stated, “There was also her brother.”
Scarlett nodded her head in agreement.
“That is very true,” she murmured, going to sit down. He followed suit and sat down, folding the note back up and placing it in his pocket.
He looked at her and felt desire light inside him, making him shift uncomfortably. Turning to face her, her asked, “Are you nervous for them to visit?”
She thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “I think that I am definitely worried about what information they will bring with them. It could mean that I am the true queen or that Catriona is alive and needs to be rescued.”
She looked at him directly in the eye. “My preference is that she is alive and healthy. Setting up a rescue is not a feat that is something we can’t accomplish.”
