“We can agree on that.” Vi turned to Andru. “If you will excuse us now, please. I would like a word alone with Lord Jax.”
“Yes, of course.” Andru gave a small bow of his head, starting in for the fortress.Now he takes the hint. They all watched him go. When he was far enough out of hearing range, Jax turned back to her, a frown on his face.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened? I can see it on your faces.”
Jayme held up the saddle straps. Jax walked over and, judging from his deepening scowl, saw what Jayme had before she spoke. “They were cut.”
Jax held out his hands and Jayme passed him the saddle. He flipped it over, placing it on the ground, and knelt to get a better look. Vi wasn’t surprised when his investigation didn’t yield more than theirs had. There weren’t really clues to speak of.
“I’ll have a word with the stable master,” he said grimly, standing. “Find out who has access to this area.”
“Do you think there’s any way it could’ve been an accident?” Vi asked, ignoring the look from Jayme. So she was hopeful that someone wasn’t trying to kill her—that should hardly be surprising.
“I pray it is. But I’m forced to act like it’s not. You are not to leave the fortress again, even with guards, until we get to the bottom of this.”
She felt as though the remark should upset her, but Vi was too focused on the notion that someone was trying to kill her. She’d never had that much freedom to begin with, and she was leaving the North soon enough. The idea of further confinement was more palatable than Vi thought it should be. If anything, it felt normal.
“Are you going to raise an alarm?”
“Not yet. Whoever did this, I want them to think they got away with something. Perhaps that way, we can catch them in the act.”
Vi gave a small nod, ignoring the feeling that she was so much bait on a hook.
“How is Ellene?” Jayme asked, unintentionally making Vi feel terrible for not asking sooner.
“She’s fine, up and about. It was just a small bump, a bit of daze, a potion to help clear her head and a salve to mend the spot. But you did right sending her back.”
They both gave a small nod.
“Now, try to put this from your mind and allow me and Sehra to worry about it. Focus on your studies and stay in the fortress. You’ll be safe so long as you stay here and take no unnecessary risks.”
Vi felt odd about the notion that someone was lurking in the shadows, searching for a chance to kill her, and she was doing nothing about it. But for now, Jax was right. With no leads, it was all she could do. She had to wait until they made their next move… And hope it wasn’t the move that killed her.
“I’m going to return to my quarters.”
“Jayme, would you stay and help me investigate?” Jax asked her friend.
“Yes, sir. It’s my duty as guard.”
Vi gave them a wave goodbye and headed in.
She had just started up the stairs when she realized she wasn’t alone. Slowly, Vi turned, seeing Andru standing two steps behind her where he previously hadn’t been. There were no alcoves he could’ve hidden in, or doorways to emerge from. That meant he had to have come up from the first landing area. But she hadn’t seen him there either.
It was like the man appeared in mid-air.
“What is it now?” Vi asked, ignoring the tingling feeling creeping up her spine.
“I wanted to stress caution to you, princess.”
“I think I have had that stressed to me enough.” It was all she’d heard for the majority of her life. Be careful. Stay in line. Don’t venture too far.
“I know Prince Romulin has stressed it to you, but I am not convinced his warnings were heeded.”
“And why is that?” There was something about his whole demeanor that had her hair standing on end. Vi shifted her feet on the step, trying not to let her discomfort show.
“Someone who fully understands the danger they could be in would not go wandering at night.”
Her blood ran cold. Vi suppressed a shiver. He’d known she’d been out.
