Jayveh blinked, her thoughts clearly racing as she considered Ford’s words. “She might seek refuge with him.”
“The capital of Xerra is relatively close,” Carver mused.
“It’s only a possibility,” Ford cautioned. “I’m not certain that’s where she’ll go. But if you’d just abducted the heir to the empire, you’d be looking for a powerful ally to help hide him.” He shrugged. “Tracking Tam through the jungle hasn’t worked so far. I’m not saying we stop all the searches, but Iamvolunteering to go to Jamir’s castle, just in case she fled there.” He glanced at Carver. “This is what I was coming to talk to you about before the whole world started shaking. I can slip into the castle unnoticed. I can search for any sign of Tam or Argent. If I don’t find them, I’ll arrest Jamir and drag him to Zagrev for questioning.”
“Arresting a king in his own court won’t be easy,” Carver said. “He’ll have an army loyal to him.”
“Life gets boring without a nice challenge now and then.” Ford’s quip had a slight edge, his determination unmistakable.
Carver’s brow furrowed. “You should have a whole contingent of soldiers for something like this. I can only afford to send a few men with you.”
“I’ve done a lot more with a lot less, and you know it.” Ford’s eyebrows drew together, his voice lower as he said, “He’s my friend, too, Carve. I need to do this.” The plea in his voice was impossible to ignore.
A short silence stretched, but finally Carver sighed. “We need to work out a solid plan. With multiple contingencies.”
A smile stretched Ford’s lips. He clapped Carver’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, General.”
“We can all go,” Jayveh said, urgency building inside her along with a burst of desperate hope. “It wouldn’t be a long detour. And if Argent is there . . .”
Carver was shaking his head. “It wouldn’t be safe. We know Jamir is a traitor. The only reason he hasn’t been arrested yet is because the emperor didn’t want any suspicion falling on you, Jayveh. Not when the Rising needed to believe you were one of them.” When Jayveh opened her mouth—clearly to argue the point—he added, “If we all went to the Xerran capital, your uncle would see us coming. He’d be on guard. And if Tamisthere, he’d probably smuggle her out before we could gain entrance to the castle.”
Jayveh’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Amryn touched her friend’s arm. “Carver and Ford know what they’re doing. You can trust them.” She bit her lower lip before adding more softly, “Argent wouldn’t want you to put yourself at risk—or your baby.”
Jayveh’s hand dropped to her belly. Her swirl of doubt was underscored by anxiety, but when she looked up, determination filled her. Her eyes locked on Ford. “I can draw you a map of the Xerran castle. It’s old, with many hidden passages. If my uncle is hiding Tam and Argent, he’d probably use one of those.”
“That would be a great help, Princess,” Ford said gratefully.
Jayveh immediately crossed to the corner of the room where a small desk sat, and Ford moved with her.
Carver glanced at Amryn, right when a yawn overtook her. His expression immediately softened. “You need sleep.”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. Maybe I can help.”
Carver stepped closer to her, and her pulse quickened as he hooked a finger beneath her chin, coaxing her eyes to his. Pools of endless blue pinned her, stealing her breath. “Please get some rest, sweetheart.”
Her heart squeezed. Carver had used the endearment only once before, when she was locked in the bloodstone’s flood of frightening power. But hearing it now, spoken in that gentle tone, made something inside her melt.
“All right,” she whispered.
Relief rolled through him. “Thank you,” he murmured. She could still feel his underlying worry, and she was quite certain it stemmed from the heavy toll the bloodstone had taken on her.
Frankly, shewasexhausted. She’d done the impossible when she’d healed everyone last night, and it had drained her. Despite that, restlessness hummed inside her. It was an almost jittery feeling that made her feel strange in her own skin. She wasn’tsure if it came from using the bloodstone or sharing her secret with Carver. Telling him she was an empath was just as earth-shattering as the quake that had rocked Esperance.
The damage it would wreak if he betrayed her would be much more devastating.
A chill whispered through her at the thought, which she instantly fought. Carver would not betray her. Old vulnerabilities and fears might rise, but she refused to let them in. Carver had always protected her, and there was no reason to doubt him now.
He brushed a soft kiss against her brow. “Sleep well,” he breathed, his lips lingering on her skin.
Tingles spread across her body, even after he pulled away. He ordered two of Jayveh’s bodyguards to escort her to their suite and remain guarding her until he returned.
Amryn sent Carver a parting smile before leaving. She had chosen to trust her husband. She would not second-guess her choice.
The sun had not quite risen when Ahmi arrived to help Amryn dress. The gown was made of a thick fabric designed to offer more protection in the jungle, but Amryn donned it reluctantly. The climate was already unbearably hot, the humidity enough to slick her skin even when she was wearing something more breathable.
Both women yawned as Ahmi helped work Amryn’s riotous curls into a somewhat submissive braid. Then the older woman helped spread a cream over Amryn’s face, neck, and hands to protect her fair skin from the worst of the sun. Amryn knew she would still burn during the journey, even spending most of the time in a carriage. After her maid finished with that, she and Amryn worked together to pack the final items in the room.
