Page 86 of The Thief
Alastair nodded in agreement. “We just need to find out where she is and if she is alive or not.”
Scarlett expected to feel her heart drop, but when it did not, she was surprised. Maybe it had been so long and they had spoken about Catriona possibly being dead that she seemed to have become desensitized to it.
“Just have to keep the faith,” he said, resting his hand on hers. “We will make it right.”
“I hope you are right,” she murmured, “I truly do; for all our sakes.”
A knock announced the arrival of someone at the door, and they both looked over.
“Come in!” Alastair called, the door opening and Bard poking his head in.
“My Lord, I received a letter for you,” he said, walking over to them and handing the note to him. “It looks like it came from Everett. It was hand delivered by a man that Ronald knows. I was told it contained important information about the queen.”
Alastair opened it quickly and read it, looking up at Scarlett in shock.
“She is alive. Everett said she is being held captive on Obsidian Ridge. However, she is being guarded by a former Knight of the White. She is safe in his care, and he has no doubt that he has already come up with a plan to get her out of there.”
He continued reading while Scarlett waited with bated breath.
“Everett was not able to get out alone; there were too many guards. He is certain, however, that the man inside is someone we can trust.”
Alastair looked up at her and couldn’t help but smile. “She’s alive.”
Scarlett nodded and started to sob, throwing her arms around Alastair as she did. With a chuckle, he held her tightly as she cried, her tears of joy and relief matching the relief he felt deep in his heart as well.
Scarlett paced nervously, her heart pounding as they waited for Elsa and Owyn to arrive. She kept looking at the study door, waiting for Bard to come in and announce that they’d arrived.
“Scarlett, would you please come sit down?” Alastair asked, concerned that if she didn’t sit, her panic would escalate and she would pass out on the floor.
“I don’t know if I could sit still for more than a moment,” she whispered, coming to sit down in one of Alastair’s office chairs.
He smiled. “Remember, Catriona is alive. Anything they have will only be helpful.”
“You are right,” she whispered again, making his smile brighter.
He looked back down at the papers on his desk and went back to work.
A few minutes later, a knock came on the door, Scarlett’s head snapping around. Alastair raised his hand to stop her from getting up.
“Come in!” he called. The door opened and Bard entered the room, leaving the door open.
“My Lord,” he said, “They have arrived. I escorted them to the parlor where they are waiting now for you.”
Alastair looked at Scarlett, her eyes filled with anxiety. “I will be there shortly.”
Bard nodded and left the room, leaving them alone again, tension in the air.
“Are you ready?” he asked, standing up and heading over to her chair. He reached out and took her hands in his, clasping them tightly.
“I’m ready. Let’s go,” she said, squeezing his hands tightly and standing up. “Just give me a few moments and go ahead.”
They both walked out of the study, Alastair still holding her hand. He let it go a moment later and smiled, heading to the parlor. Scarlett stood there for a few seconds, waiting to go into the parlor, calming her nerves.
Alastair walked into the parlor and held out his hand, Owyn walking over and shaking his hand when he said, “Prince Owyn, it is nice to see you again.”
Owyn smiled and turned to his guest.
“Prince Alastair, this is Princess Elsa Dormhnall of Dewberdeen. She is sister to Everett Dormhnall.”
