Vi went from merely “not wanting to have this conversation” to being willing to do just about anything but. “I appreciate all you do for me, but I don’t think this is the time.”
“Of course, princess. I understand. Merely consider me a resource for whenever you’re ready to discuss such things. For a lady of your status it is imperative to be careful, and your parents have entrusted me to cover such matters with you as is needed.” Ginger tucked one foot behind the other, dipping into a curtsy. She started for the door, but never got the chance to turn the lever.
The door opened from the other side, revealing Jax—Vi thanked every scrap of luck he had not entered moments earlier and been privy to the mention of Taavin. The moment he laid eyes on her, his whole expression crumpled into relief. She’d never seen such tenderness line his brow before.
“Thank the Mother,” he whispered. He turned to Ginger. “How is she?”
“The bones and organs are on the mend. We’re lucky it’s not more serious. Her face should mend up just fine, the nose should set right if she keeps still. And I’ve told her to stay in bed,” Ginger said pointedly, looking back to her.
“I’m not fighting you this time.”
“Good.” She turned back to Jax. “I’ll take care of the rest of the bruising in the morning.”
“Thank you for everything.” Jax clasped Ginger’s hand, sending her out the door in the same motion. He quickly closed it behind her, giving them privacy.
They had a small staring contest, but Vi was the first to avert her eyes. She didn’t know why she felt guilty for making him worry. What had happened certainly wasn’t her fault. Perhaps it was her regal training—that all fault ended with her. “I’m sorry, uncle.”
“Sorry?” He crossed quickly to the chair at her bedside that Ginger had just vacated. “Vi, I’m uttering prayers of thanks with my every breath that you’re alive.”
“Someone attacked me.” Vi reached for him and her uncle’s hand was there to grasp hers right when she needed him. “There was a man and—”
“I know.” He squeezed her hand tightly. “There were remnants of the struggle in the halls. After the cut girth… I should’ve expanded my investigation further, faster. The leather-smith claimed that, perhaps, when he was making some last-minute trimmings to account for some weight loss in Gormon, he dug too deeply on the tail of the straps. When I could find no other leads, the trail went cold and I stalled. Forgive me, Vi.”
Vi shook her head, the horrifying ordeal playing out in her mind. The elfin’ra had powers like her—like Sehra—but twisted by that same red lightning she’d seen in her visions. This was unlike anything Jax could fathom going against.
“Whoever this person is,” Vi began slowly. “I think they’re well trained in the art of stealth and subterfuge.”
“Clearly.”
“Did you find their body below where the bridge collapsed?” Vi thought back to the bridge. There was no way the elfin’ra could’ve avoided plummeting to his death.
“Body, no…” Horror crept across Jax’s face. No body meant no confirmed kill—the elfin’ra was still alive. “Tell me of your attacker,” he demanded. “I’ll oversee the warriors personally and we shall hunt them down.”
Vi searched his determined expression. How could she hope to explain what her attacker looked like? What he was?
The memories of the visions returned to her—men and women decaying alongside the world at its end. Her uncle was in knots over the mere idea of something happening to her. How could she explain they were all sprinting head-first toward the end of days and red-eyed elfin’ra were seeking her blood as Yargen’s champion to expedite the process?
She couldn’t explain it all. So she didn’t even try. She couldn’t subject him to that.
“It was dark… I couldn’t make out much.”
“Tell me what you can.”
“Skin as white as a ghost and red, glowing eyes.”
“Red eyes? Like a Firebearer who has freshly seen the future?” Jax asked.
“I suppose…” Vi murmured, now wondering if her eyes glowed red after her visions. She’d never been around a mirror for one.
“Can you tell me anything else?”
“He was hooded.” Vi shook her head. “I’m sorry. I know saying a pale skinned and red-eyed man attacked me seems difficult to believe.”
Jax leaned forward, tugging on her hand gently. He tilted his head up, staring in her eyes. Vi searched her uncle’s weathered face. Lines were drawn across his brow and hung in arcs underneath his eyes. He was only slightly older than her father but worry made him look nearly ancient.
“I will always believe you,” he vowed softly. She nearly told him in that second of her visions. But the moment passed as quickly as it came. “I’ll speak with Andru, see if he has any other details to contribute.”
Vi nodded. Ache seeped into her bones and Vi gently pulled his hand toward her. She brought it to her cheek, holding it there gently. It was the closest thing to a hug she could manage in her present condition.
