Chapter 8Luc finally released Hallbjörn’s arm to knock at a set of beautifully carved and gilded doors. When one of the doors opened, Marie peeked out, her smile reflecting relief—although whether it was to see they were all well, or because it wasn’t someone else, Sébastien wasn’t sure.
“Come in. The queen would like to meet you both.”
The moment Hallbjörn took a step forward, Sébastien made sure to keep pace, ensuring Luc had to walk behind them while he took a few seconds to close the door behind them. The room was the queen’s study and it was no less impressive than the rest of the palace.
The desk and cabinets were beautifully inlaid with precious stones. The queen sat away from the desk as if wanting to create a less business-like effect that their encounter with the cardinal. But
