Indecision crept through him, but finally Ivan gave in. “Do you remember the way to my room?” At her nod, he said, “Come there if you ever feel unsafe. Or send for me. I will come at any time,il mishka.”
“Thank you, Ivan.”
He bowed his head and then he was gone, shutting the door behind him.
In the silence left behind, Amryn became aware of a gentle hum—almost a purr. It lifted every fine hair on her body. Her eyes moved to Carver’s pack.
Somewhere inside it, the bloodstone was tucked away, letting out a subtle, gentle vibration. It hadn’t flared since the ambush on the road, but it was always there. It could have been soothing, if she wasn’t so unnerved by it.
A knock at the door made Amryn jump. Trepidation spiked, but she tried to shove that down as she made her way to the door. She could sense the guard was still on the other side, but he’d been joined by a new, unfamiliar presence.
Hesitantly, she pulled the door open—and was instantly met with a pair of bright blue eyes.
There was no doubt the young woman standing before her was related to Carver. She was tall, with a graceful, willowy build. Her dark brown hair was rich and thick, with sections at her temples pinned back to reveal the entirety of her stunningly beautiful face. Her features were perfect; her nose small and pert, her cheekbones high, and her cheeks touched with a hint of color. She looked to be around Amryn’s age.
Hesitancy drifted inside her, at odds with the confidence she displayed as she smiled. “Amryn?” she asked, her voice every bit as beautiful as the rest of her.
“Yes,” Amryn confirmed, still gripping the door’s handle.
The young woman’s smile widened. “You’re absolutelybeautiful.”
Amryn felt the sincerity of the compliment, though it was wholly unexpected. Her face heated. “Oh, ah . . .”
“Saints, I’m sorry,” the girl said at once, her eyes widening. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I was just surprised. I mean, not surprised that you’re beautiful, just . . . Oh bother, I’m rambling. I do that sometimes, I’m afraid. I’m—”
“Elowen,” Amryn guessed. Carver had talked often of his family, so she knew he had three sisters. Loreena, who was older than Carver, and Wren, who was only twelve. That left Elowen, who was nineteen.
Surprise lit through the young woman, but her smile widened. “My brother’s mentioned me, then?”
Amryn’s lips twitched. She couldn’t help it—brightness lived in Elowen, and that light was layered in all her emotions. “He’s told me a few stories,” she admitted.
“I imagine he has,” Elowen snorted, though joy spread inside her. “It will be up to me to set the stories straight, I suppose.” She bit her lip, a flicker of that earlier hesitancy rising once more. “I hope I’m not intruding. I just learned of your arrival, and I couldn’t wait to come see you.”
“Carver isn’t here,” Amryn said. “He’s in a meeting with the emperor.” And she had to imagine he would be just as surprised as she was to find his sister here at the palace.
“Oh, I imagine he’ll be in meetings for the rest of the day,” Elowen said. “But I came to seeyou.”
“You did?”
Elowen only smiled at Amryn’s obvious surprise. “Don’t misunderstand, I love my brother, and I’m excited to see him, but I’ve beendyingto meet you. I hope you don’t mind my coming unannounced?”
“No, not at all.” The words emerged reflexively, though she was achingly aware of all the dust from the road that covered her. Internally, she groaned. Not exactly ideal for a first impression. Still, she stepped back, pulling the door open wider in an unspoken invitation.
Elowen stepped inside, every movement graceful. “The Vincettis have rooms all along this corridor,” she said, almost by way of explanation. “I’m staying with my father in the largest apartment, just down the hall.”
Amryn’s heart beat a little faster, knowing Cregon Vincetti—the Bloody General—was here, too.
“I assumed you’d be in Carver’s room,” Elowen continued. “Your guard wasn’t too keen about confirming it, though.”
Amryn closed the door. “I think the emperor would prefer to keep our presence here as quiet as possible. At least for now.”
Elowen waved a dismissive hand. “The entire castle is buzzing with news of your arrival. It won’t be long until the whole city knows you’re here.” She walked right up to the armchairs, entirely comfortable in the space. Which made sense, since it belonged to her brother.
Once they were both seated, Elowen clasped her hands in her lap, positively beaming as she surveyed Amryn. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet you. And to be thefirstto meet you! Well, I know Father was there for the wedding, but that hardly counts, since no one else was allowed to go. Mother’s still upset about that.”
Amryn’s stomach clutched with sudden nerves. “She is?”
“Of course! She was absolutely furious.”
