“I am glad to be returning to the home of my forefathers at long last.” Vi turned to Jayme, and then Ellene. Her two friends and confidants had been oddly silent. She needed time to process everything that was happening, and she couldn’t rightly do that standing in the middle of the stable grounds. “Jayme, you have letters for me, I believe?”
“I do.” Jayme gave a bow of her head then turned, reaching for a familiar box at the top of the small pile that had been unloaded from the over-sized saddle bags of her mount. “This is for you, princess… And for you, Lord Wendyll… And I have a satchel for your tutors and staff.”
Vi gave a small noise of agreement and focused mostly on the small, lacquered white box. On its top was the imperial seal. Inside, packed between folds of blue velvet, were a series of small envelopes and parcels from her family.
“Let us head to my chambers, Jayme and Ellene. Martis should still be there; you can deliver the letters directly to him.” Vi took care to properly enunciate her words for Andru’s benefit, drawing each one out, as was customary for nobility—especially Southern nobility. “Uncle, can you kindly work with the staff and see that Andru is settled in to suitable chambers for the duration of his stay?”
“It seems Andru is not the only one who will need chambers for a longer stay.” Jax lowered a letter he’d been skimming; Vi recognized her mother’s script. His eyes went directly to Jayme. “You have had a promotion.”
Jayme folded her hands before her, head bowed slightly. It was a position Vi had seen often. Spending time in the company of the Crown Princess could be difficult for a woman who didn’t really enjoy being the center of attention.
“What is this?” Ellene finally spoke up. It was unusual for the girl to be so quiet, and the fact only emphasized how much Andru’s sheer presence could change their dynamic. “A promotion?”
“I’ve been appointed as a royal guard.” She raised her head, looking directly at Vi. “Yourroyal guard, to be specific. I will oversee your protection and guard detail, if you’ll have it.”
Vi could practically explode with excitement and she struggled to keep her face passive and manicured, especially in front of Andru. “Of course I’ll have it. You have been a loyal courier of mine for years; we all know that you can gracefully endure my various quirks.”
“You’re too hard on yourself.” Jayme gave a small smile.
“No, that’s about right,” Ellene muttered, finally breaking from decorum. Vi successfully fought a grin.
“You will be staying as well then? You will not be going home this winter?”
She shook her head. “I’ll be here until the Imperial parade comes to collect you this spring… and then after that also, naturally.”
Imperial Parade comes to collect you this spring. The words rang in Vi’s ears. She’d never heard something so wonderful and yet so hard to comprehend. There was some kind of disconnect. A wave of familiarity came over her, as though she was living a moment she’d dreamed thousands of times.
Likely, because she was.
Vi felt dizzy all over again. She shifted the grip on her box. It only contained letters but they were as heavy as a powder keg. Depending on what was written in them, it might be just as explosive. Vi could only imagine what her brother had to say about the newest development Andru revealed.
“I will be assessing Jayme as well.” There was that terrible word again from Andru’s lips.Assessing. “It’s quite a strange affair to see a common-born courier appointed to soldier so young. By the Empress Vhalla Solaris herself, no less.”
“Jayme is no mere courier,” Vi said defensively.
“She must not be, given the circumstances.” Andru looked away and then dragged his eyes back to Vi. She fought the urge to squirm under his gaze. The man made her downright uncomfortable. “The Senate wants to make sure you are properly protected, your highness.”
“I have the utmost faith in Jayme.” Vi left no room for debate in the statement. She didn’t like people questioning the merits of her friends—Vi had few enough, and she wanted to keep the ones she did have. “If she feels fit for the job, then I’m certain she is.”
I’m. Vi caught her slip too late.I am. Judging from the slight widening of Andru’s eyes, he hadn’t missed it. She hastily continued speaking, as if that could cover it.
“Now, if you will please excuse us. Jayme has letters to deliver to Martis.”
“Yes, of course.” Andru gave another bow of his head. “I shall find my quarters and then yours.”
“Pardon?” Vi stopped mid step, half turned away. “A little bold, is it not? Inviting yourself to the Crown Princess’s chambers?”
“For your lessons,” he clarified.
“Of course…” Vi gave him one last, long look, trying to uncover whatever secrets he was hiding. But the man was a closed book.
It was a good thing books of all kinds were Vi’s specialty.
* * *
The moment the door to her bedroom closed and they were alone, Vi put the box on her bedside table and threw her arms tightly around Jayme’s shoulders.
“You are the best birthday present a girl could ask for.”
