The Ashford Name
660 Words
CHAPTER SEVEN
Riven drove without speaking.
Elara sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the window.
The city lights blurred past them.
She had a thousand questions.
She didn’t know which one to ask first.
Finally:
“How old are you?”
Riven glanced at her.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Twenty-seven.”
She stared at him.
“Seven years older than me.”
“Yes.”
“And you’ve known me since I was a child.”
His hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“Yes.”
“That sounds insane when you say it out loud.”
“I know.”
Elara turned toward him.
“How did we meet?”
Riven remained silent.
“Riven.”
“We were children.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
He sighed.
“Our families knew each other.”
“What families?”
“The Ashfords.”
“And mine?”
“Wynne.”
She frowned.
“My mother never mentioned your family.”
“She had reasons.”
“What reasons?”
“She was protecting you.”
Elara laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
“My mother lies to me. You lie to me. Your family apparently knows me better than I know myself.”
Riven looked at her.
“You’re angry.”
“Very.”
“You should be.”
That answer silenced her.
She had expected him to defend himself.
Instead, he agreed.
The car slowed as they approached a private road.
A massive iron gate opened before them.
Elara stared.
Beyond it stood an enormous estate surrounded by dark trees.
She looked at Riven.
“Where are we?”
“My home.”
“I thought you were taking me somewhere your father couldn’t hear.”
“My father isn’t here.”
She looked at the mansion.
“You live here?”
“Sometimes.”
“You’re a prince or something?”
“No.”
“Then why does your house look like a castle?”
Riven almost smiled.
Almost.
“Come inside.”
The doors opened before they reached them.
A woman stood waiting.
Elara recognized her immediately.
She had seen her photograph online.
Seraphine Ashford.
Riven’s older sister.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Terrifying.
Her eyes moved from Riven to Elara.
Then stopped.
Her expression changed.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
“You brought her here.”
Riven nodded.
Seraphine looked at Elara.
“Does she know?”
“No.”
Seraphine’s face hardened.
“Then you shouldn’t have brought her.”
Elara crossed her arms.
“I’m standing right here.”
Seraphine looked at her.
For the first time, something softer appeared in her eyes.
“Yes.”
She stepped closer.
“You are.”
Then she whispered:
“You look exactly like your mother.”
Elara’s breath caught.
Before she could ask what she meant, Seraphine turned away.
“Come inside.”
⸻
Dinner was uncomfortable.
Elara sat opposite Seraphine while Riven remained silent.
Everything about the room felt strange.
The enormous fireplace.
The antique paintings.
The silver symbols carved into the walls.
She stared at one.
A crescent moon surrounded by seven stars.
“What is that?”
Neither of them answered.
Elara looked at Riven.
He avoided her gaze.
She was beginning to hate that.
After dinner, Seraphine found her alone in the hallway.
“You’re asking questions.”
“Someone has to.”
“Good.”
Elara stopped.
Seraphine looked toward the stairs.
“There are things you need to know.”
“What?”
“You should never trust anyone who tells you they are protecting you without explaining why.”
Elara stared at her.
“Are you talking about Riven?”
Seraphine’s mouth curved slightly.
“I’m talking about everyone.”
Then she walked away.
Elara watched her disappear.
A strange thought entered her mind.
Maybe Seraphine wasn’t her enemy.
Maybe she was afraid.
The question was:
Of whom?
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