“Still, I would like to see her fitted in a more proper gown for the reception. Riding—what am I supposed to do with that?” Holina shook her head and put a few pins in the asymmetrical hem that extended down to the floor behind her, and to her mid-thigh in the front. She’d sewn wonders in just one night. “And considering her highness will not ride side-saddle…”
“It’s utterly impractical.” Vi stood her ground. “And I have never once seen my mother ride in any way but astride.”
“Your mother has her habits from when she was younger,” Holina murmured.
“Excuse me?” Vi looked down to the woman. Her mother may have been common born, but she had now been Empress for over twenty years. And now she was Empress Regent. With the declaration of her father’s death, Vi’s mother was no longer the Empress; she was merely holding Vi’s seat until she was crowned. That didn’t mean Vi would tolerate anything intended to be disparaging against her family.
“Let’s remain focused,” Martis said hastily, tapping his papers spread out on Vi’s table across the room. “There will be an imperial contingent that will—”
“I’ve come with lunch!” Jax announced, opening the door to her common area. Martis groaned at the continual interruptions.
“Thank the mother.” Vi’s stomach growled in anticipation. They’d been fussing over her since dawn.
“No eating for you yet, princess.” Holina had a death-grip on her hem. “I need you in place if I’m to finish this in the next day.”
Jax attempted to come to her defense, but Holina stopped him with a hand.
“She can eat when I’m off stitching.”
Vi stared down at the bolts of golden fabric wrapped around her body. Cut, hemmed, and trimmed to the most flattering shapes on her. She was never one to put much stock in fashion, but in the wake of everything she now knew about their world and its state, it seemed even more pointless.
She would ride in finery, putting on a strong mask, as there was a pit full of the dying a stone’s throw from her.
* * *
Vi took dinner alone.
After being poked and prodded all day, and every person in her employ coming to instruct her about something, she was well and truly done with people. She knew she should’ve gone and had dinner with Sehra and her family—for Ellene’s sake, if nothing else. But Vi was far too tired.
Instead, food was sent to her and she ate it with gusto before picking at the scraps as she inspected the aftermath of all the activity that had taken place in her room. Vi trailed her fingers along the couches and table; the objects she’d always known and used would not be coming with her on this journey. Books were the only exception.
Romulin could enjoy them after she left.
Vi stood in the doorway of her study. The world outside had gone dark, and the room was now lit by flickering candles on either side of her drafting table. All her maps had been removed and carefully rolled before being placed into tubes. Most of her books were packed into trunks, but a few still lined the shelves, waiting to be collected.
The door to her room opened, stealing her attention. Vi’s eyes met Jayme’s and they stared at each other for a long moment.
“I found it,” Jayme announced, stepping in. She had her sword strapped to her hip. Even though Vi sincerely hoped they wouldn’t need it, she was glad to see the smith had finished repairing it before they had to leave. “The remnants of the caravan—their goods. It’s all here in the fortress.”
“That makes it easier. Where are they?”
“In the storerooms by the warriors’ barracks.”
“Are they guarded?”
“Not exactly, but the entrance is where warriors walk frequently.” Jayme’s tone was uncertain, less than thrilled, but not totally dejected. Which told Vi there was a chance to get in.
“Thank you. I can take it from here.”
Jayme caught her wrist as Vi started for the door. The woman’s grip was much stronger than it looked—and Jayme already looked strong. “Not so fast. You agreed to let me help protect you.”
“You said it was in the fortress. I’m not venturing beyond protection this time.”
“Firstly,this timematters as much as the next. I want you to be in a habit of including me.” Jayme held her grip firm. “Secondly, I can help you.”
“You saw my magic…” Vi didn’t think she’d need to remind Jayme after the woman’s reaction the night before. “I can be well hidden.”
“Does your magic tell you the warriors’ rounds also? Does it tell you when they’ll be coming and going, or up on the wall? Does your magic keep watch for you? Can it offer a convenient excuse if you’re caught?” Jayme slowly released her grip on Vi. “There’s no shame in having some help,” Jayme said softly.
