“Mmm, a man of the world indeed.”
“You be careful too,” he admonished gruffly. “There are still assassins in Barstus and Blackthorne. You must be on your guard at all times.”
“If you think there is a way to be off my guard when I’m in close quarters with RP, you are sorely mistaken.”
He drew me in for another tight hug. “We shall meet again shortly. I will be back for your coronation.”
“Come with Taelon. I’m afraid they will not let you through the Marble Wall if you try on your own.”
He nodded against my shoulder. “Send word if you find out anything.”
“You too. Finch is the guard’s name. He will give me word if you try to reach me.”
“Tessana,” my uncle barked from across the ballroom. “Enough of that.”
“I will miss you,” I told him boldly before pulling away.
“And I you.”
We stepped back, and my guards closed in as I marched toward my bedroom. How could I leave my dearest friend? How could we head to opposite sides of the realm? This seemed impossible.
More impossible than being stuck with Ravanna Presydia for the following months so she could teach me all there was to know about being queen. More impossible than getting to know the sister who so very clearly did not want to get to know me.
But I did need to hurry. There was one thing I needed to do before I could leave the kingdom. And it was not to take a bath.
I did stop in my rooms to peel out of my dress and rinse off as quickly as humanly possible. Clesta was there, managing the chaos of a room full of maids, trunks, and clothes. Shiksa sat on the edge of the bed, monitoring all the activity with a watchful eye.
I paused to nuzzle her nose with mine. “We’re going on a trip, my love.”
“You will be taking her, then?” Clesta asked, doing her best to hide the disappointment in her tone.
I smiled at her. “Yes, but I promise to bring her back. We will return shortly before the coronation.”
“Aye, I’ve been told,” she said dutifully. “Everything will be packed shortly.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “You’ll be joining me of course?”
Her cheeks blushed crimson, and she began fidgeting in a way that conveyed both fear and disbelief. “O-oh, I wasn’t sure if you—”
“Clesta, if I am to travel across kingdoms while preparing for my coronation, I will need you by my side.” Her shoulders relaxed but just barely. “I trust no one else to do my hair quite so well as you.”
Her tight mouth ticked into a small smile at my mild jest. “Of course, Lady. Of course.”
“I have one thing yet to do before I leave, so I will let you finish packing for your favorite future queen.” Her brow squinched in confusion, but I nodded to Shiksa, and she smiled.
“What do you have to do?”
I licked dry lips and asked a favor instead. “Would you mind distracting my guards? Just for a moment? I promise to be on my best behavior for the rest of my life. I just need ten, er, twenty minutes to... say goodbye to someone.”
Her eyebrows now shot to her hairline. “Princess, I cannot—”
“I will be safe,” I lied. “Completely safe.” When she still did not look convinced, I added, “And I will buy you one of your own.” I pointed at my white fox sitting like true royalty on a pile of silk pillows. “Any color you’d like.”
Her expression immediately softened. “You can find one?”
“I’m going to be queen one day, Clesta. I could fill a stable full of kits for you to choose from.” Total lies. All lies. I had no idea where to go about finding a fox kitling for her, but I would keep my promise no matter what it took if she would help me.
“You promise you’ll be safe? That nothing will happen to you?” I nodded vigorously. “What do you need me to do?” she asked slowly.
