Eyes twinkling, gesturing to the people around them, she said, “What are you going to do with all these people?” She raised a hand to the side of his face, eyes shining with pride.

He shrugged, heart warm with her unspoken praise. “I haven’t thought that far. But I do know a door that will be open, and Simon waits outside.”

Her eyes sharpened. “All right, then. We go. All of us.” With a huge smile, she stepped forward confidently, but her knees buckled beneath her and she would have fallen to the ground had Matteo not caught her.

“You were out for several days. Your legs are weak still. I’ll carry you.”

Leaning into him gratefully, she stared into his eyes. “I’m sorry to be like this. Thank you.”

He felt her gaze in his center. Trying to communicate strength and constancy to her, he nodded and lifted her, this time cradling her in his arms.

His voice rang out over the group, though he spoke as quietly as possible. “We must make no noise. Not a single sound. Anyone who sees us will turn us in. We have to make it to the courtyard outside the kitchen and from there, we should be fine.”

Scarlet nodded. “Let’s be off then.”

He walked through the group to the front at the head of the hallway and hurried them as fast as he could in the direction he had been going. Almost to the courtyard, they rushed through two more hallways, seeing no one.

Exiting the last hallway, out into the courtyard, he exhaled in relief. “We have made it.” He led the group along the far-right wall, sticking to the shadows, his eyes on a small door on the opposite wall. Twenty more feet, ten; some of the children ran ahead, reaching for the handle before he could get there.

Just before the door creaked open, a voice rang across the ground. “Hold it right there.”

Simon stood in full guard uniform, with a squadron behind him. “Don’t move another step.”

Scarlet gasped in Matteo’s arms, but he shushed her. “It’s all right. We need an escort through Paris.”

“But—”

Simon interrupted her. “Step back away from the door and stand closer together.”

The guards quickly moved into position and surrounded them, Matteo fighting a smile.

“You will follow me!” Simon barked and moved toward the door, leading their group, surrounded by men, toward freedom.

“Matteo,” Scarlet whispered.

“Hmm?” He glanced down at her, but when he saw the alarmed expression in her eyes, he turned his head to see what had grabbed her attention.

“Éléonore.”

“And just what is going on here?” Éléonore quickly stepped up to them, approaching from behind.