“Shouldn’t you knock?” Vi groaned.
“Not when the day is getting away from us.” Ellene threw open the window shutters and Vi yanked the covers over her head. “Come on, up, it’s time to go!”
“I need to check my pack a final time.” What Vi really wanted to say was that she needed five more minutes of sleep. She’d been up before dawn yesterday and was now up with the dawn today. Vi was not a morning person and this was testing her limits.
“I figured as much.” Ellene grinned. “It’s why I took the liberty of checking and packing it for you.”
Vi sat up at that, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “I don’t know if I should be grateful or frightened that you were in here rummaging around in my things while I slept.”
“It’s your fault for being such a heavy sleeper.” Ellene put her hands on her hips. “And I can’t tell if you’re offending my person or packing skills by that remark.”
“Both?”
“You wound me!” Ellene launched herself onto the bed, flopping heavily with a dramatic sigh. This was the Ellene Vi knew—someone caught somewhere between girl and woman still, and had all the best parts of both. Not the quiet observer she’d seen before Andru.
“Given that the last time we went hunting, I believe you forgot your bedroll…” Vi poked the girl’s nose.
“You like snuggling with me.” Ellene cuddled up to her for emphasis. “How could I deprive you of that joy?”
“The time before that, I believe you forgot rations.” Vi struggled to keep her face serious—it was a losing battle.
“You’re a good hunter. I was giving you incentive.” Ellene grinned.
“What about forgetting your—”
“You could just say thank you.” Ellene threw her hands in the air, raised up her legs, and half-jumped off the bed as quickly as she came.
Vi was quickly out of bed after her and throwing her arms around Ellene’s shoulders, hugging her tightly from behind. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sister.” Ellene squeezed her forearm before Vi let go. “I’m glad you’re still going out, given Andru and all the weirdness of yesterday—” Ellene still didn’t know the half of it, Vi realized. “I think you could use the distraction.”
“I really could.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“I want to grab one more thing…” Vi started for the door to her study. She realized her presents had distracted her from grabbing her journal yesterday morning.
“I already grabbed your journal. It’s at the top of your pack.”
“What?” Vi stopped in her tracks.
“See, now who’s not forgetful?” Ellene asked over her shoulder with a satisfied smirk.
“You’re tolerating my map-making? Is it my birthday?”
“I think it is, actually. Or, was.” Ellene paused in her doorway. Vi was briefly reminded of Andru and the thought woke her spark. She fought to keep it suppressed, not allowing it to run wild. She would not allow it to ruin this hunt with any outbursts or visions. “Now, get dressed and meet me down.”
Today was not the day for dresses or finery. Vi picked her softest leather leggings, pairing them with a fitted shirt that wouldn’t impede her movements. She dressed quickly and made her way down the wooden stairs and winding arches of the fortress.
Vi emerged from the main entrance to find Jayme and Ellene waiting with Jax, Sehra, and… unfortunately… Andru.
He’d said he wasn’t coming the night before. Vi balled her hands into fists, hoping he hadn’t been lying to her. He’d better hope he hadn’t been lying… The sight of only three packs—one at Ellene’s feet and one at Jayme’s, and the third having her bow attached, put the fear to rest.
Vi’s eyes drifted upward, landing at Jayme’s hip. There was something new strapped there—a sword. The hilt was done in gold and made to look like wheat. A properly Eastern design, seeing as they were the bread basket of the Empire.
“You really look like a proper soldier,” Vi said to Jayme, motioning toward the sword.
“Thank you.” Jayme gave the scabbard a pat.
