Page 93 of The Thief
“I can guarantee that the queen will not either.”
Ragan took a step forward but Alastair’s hand on his chest stopped him. Alastair looked down at the ground next to Rhys and Ragan followed his gaze, understanding dawning when he saw a rock jutting out of the ground nearby. Alastair could only hope that if Scarlett tripped, it would not hurt too much when they both fell.
Scarlett had seen the rock and had purposely made her way over there, covering it with her skirts to keep him from seeing it. She knew that if she could get him to trip, he would lose his hold on her and his upper hand.
When he started to drag her over to the carriage, she stepped over the rock, using her weight to drag him down a little bit. He took a step and hit the rock, tripping and falling, her weight dragging them both down to the ground. She rolled away from him as they went down, everything happening so quickly after that.
Alastair jumped at Rhys, pushing him back as he struggled to get up. Ragan grabbed Scarlett and half-dragged, half-carried her over to Owyn and Elsa and set her down on the ground. Elsa checked her neck to see if he had nicked her and was relieved when she saw no marks on Scarlett’s pale skin.
Rhys pushed Alastair off him, a long growl coming from him when he saw Scarlett safely with Owyn and Elsa and Ragan. Enraged, he rushed Alastair, knocking him off his feet, bringing his knife down at his chest. Alastair brought his arm up, blocking his blade. Alastair brought his other hand up and grabbed Rhys’ hand, squeezing it until his grip loosened on the hilt. Alastair grabbed the blade from his hand, the knife coming down and cutting open his cheek. The pain did not register as he pushed Rhys off him and scrambled to get away from him. Past the point of competent thought, Rhys grabbed for one of the rocks nearby and hurled it at Alastair who easily sidestepped the flying stone.
“Alastair…” Scarlett whispered, her heart in her throat.
She couldn’t hold back tears of worry as she watched him defend himself against the madman who was trying to kill him. She cried out when Rhys charged at Alastair again; this time they did not fall. Rhys made a strange gurgling sound as he fell to the side, his knife sticking out of his chest.
Scarlett stared at the man, blood trickling from his mouth, a red stain blooming on his shirt. When his chest heaved the last time, she started to cry hysterically, unable to help herself; her relief was great. Alastair looked down at Rhys and then rushed over to Scarlett, gathering her in his arms and holding her as she cried.
“Are you all right?” he whispered. When she nodded against his chest, he felt relief fill his heart.
“But… your face,” she hiccupped, taking out her handkerchief and pressing it to the small cut on his face. He chuckled and pressed his hand on top of hers, leaning down and kissing her. The kiss was soggy and broken, but both of them were so grateful to be alive.
“My face will be fine. I am just thankful that you are all right.” He looked her straight in her tear-filled eyes and said, “I love you, Scarlett.”
She started to cry even harder and Alastair was able to make out, “I love you too,” through her sobs. Alastair smiled and kissed her head, gathering her into his arms again, holding her tightly as she cried.
Owyn, Elsa, Alastair, and Scarlett sat in Owyn’s redecorated parlor, relaxing and enjoying the evening, along with Ragan and Melody who decided to join them before dinner.
After the confrontation, they had come back to Greenlyre, Owyn’s home. They had been met with the concerned face of Oryn, Owyn’s twin brother, and his now fiancée, Elizabeth Blackmore. They had calmed their fears and reassured them that they were all right, and Alastair had gotten to work creating the antidote.
With Rhys dead, the immediate threat was dead, and that made everyone happy.
Scarlett lay on a chaise, her head in Alastair’s lap as he read a book. His other hand rested on her stomach, entwined with her hand. Elsa sat next to Owyn on an opposite couch, Ragan and Melody occupying the two chairs that made up the rest of the space. A knock announced a visitor and Owyn called out for them to enter, the door opening to reveal Oryn.
“Oryn, what is it?” Owyn asked, looking at his twin.
“Her brother is here,” he said, pointing at Elsa. Neither Elsa nor Owyn could hide the panic that came to their faces.
“Everything will be fine. I will speak to him,” Elsa said, resting her hand on Owyn’s.
He smiled. “I know. I will definitely let you speak to him first.”
She chuckled and Owyn told Oryn, “Go ahead and show him in.”
Oryn nodded and went for Everett, showing him to the parlor.
Everett walked in and the first thing he noticed was the decidedly casual atmosphere that the parlor had. The second thing he noticed was that Elsa held Owyn’s hand and had a girlish grin on her face. Melody abandoned her chair and went to sit with Ragan, Everett thanking her and occupying the piece of furniture.
“So, I guess this means we will be having a wedding soon?” he asked, pointing to their joined hands.
Elsa nodded. “I hope you aren’t upset. It just happened one day. There isn’t really a way to explain it.”
Everett chuckled, already knowing this would happen. He had seen it when he had spent time with them together a few weeks prior.
He shook his head and said, “I could never be upset with you because you fell in love. He is a good man, so I approve. You know Mother will be happy, but Father will need some convincing.”
Elsa looked at Owyn and smiled. “He will be happy that I finally found someone else’s problem to be.” That sent a round of chuckles around the room.
Everett looked towards Scarlett and Alastair. “I see you have found yourselves similarly attached?”
