Vidar held up a hand. “As much as I’m sure you and my sister could talk for hours about stirring up trouble, I need to know why Lord Riis has one of his most notorious children following us?”
Yrsa pouted. “To business already?”
“I’d prefer it.”
“Is it really true, what they say about the Virtoris heir?”
Sayyida pressed her lips together, sensing something that would throw her brother off and loving it.
Vidar didn’t give them the satisfaction, but when Yrsa didn’t continue, he let out a long-suffering sigh. “And what’s that?”
Yrsa pushed off the wall and when she was but a pace away from Vidar, she lifted her hand and ran a finger along his collarbone. “That he’s stiff as a plank.” She cocked her head, and Sayyida nearly burst with glee at the way her brother’s eyes widened.
“While I don’t mind a bit of stiffness in the right places, I think they miscalculate you. There’s something more to you, isn’t there, lordling?” She batted her lashes. “Perhaps it takes the right person for you to show your more flexible side?”
Vidar took a step back. “Answer me.”
“You were supposed to go to the brothel, yes?”
“That’s right,” Sayyida replied.
“Seeing as it’s my father’s establishment, it’s being watched by those loyal to the king.”
“Your father sold us out?” Vidar asked.
“Not at all. When Princess Saga sent you that letter, things were fine, but they turned soon after.”
“When did people start watching the brothel?” Sayyida asked.
“They turned up three days ago. Right after I arrived.”
“Is it just you?” Sayyida half hoped the other two Terrors would fall from the sky.
“My sisters are in Grindavik keeping an eye on those properties. There are more of them there. The city is larger.”
“Right.” Sayyida’s brother still appeared uneasy. “Well, thank you for finding us. I presume you have a sleigh elsewhere to take us inland?”
“No sleigh.”
Vidar’s lips slanted downward. “Horses?”
Sayyida shuddered. They were seafaring people, and while they could, of course, ride horseback, that long of a journey would be uncomfortable.
“I have something better, but you have to swear to me that you won’t say a word about it.”
“Is it dangerous?” Vidar asked.
“Not at all. And it’s the fastest way to join my father and the princess in Myrr. Many others too, if the rumors are to be believed.”
Sayyida cut her brother a sidelong glance. “I trust her.”
“Of course you do.” He pressed his lips together tightly before conceding. “Fine. Show us this other means of transportation.”
“Your wings work, correct?” Yrsa fanned her wings out behind her, and if there was any question that she was Lord Riis’s daughter, it would have been erased from Sayyida’s mind upon seeing those wings. Like Lord Riis, Luccan, Arie, and Thantrel, Yrsa had what many had dubbed ‘fire wings’. Faerie wings in blended shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. The combination was rare and hard to miss.
To answer Yrsa’s question, they slipped their wings through the cloak slits.
“Come along then.” The Terror shot into the air.
