Her emotions were ready to burst by the time they stopped their march for the day. Vi was eager to be off her horse. But she waited to receive directions as they broke for camp.
“Your highness.” Jayme rode up swiftly as Vi had just turned her mount to speak with Romulin. “Please, come this way. I shall show you to your tent.”
Vi looked to her brother and mother.
“When you are both settled,” Vhalla said, looking at both her children in turn, “come to my tent and we shall have dinner together.”
“Yes, mother,” Romulin said with a nod—though his attention was on Vi, as hers was on him. “Shall I come and collect you, sister?”
His voice was smooth, soft, not unlike Taavin’s in those respects. But where Taavin’s accent made his words more lyrical and overall lighter, Romulin’s quiet words were weighty with the natural bass of his voice. It wasn’t how Vi had imagined he’d sound, and Vi found herself oddly pleased about the fact.
“I would like that.” She gave a small nod.
“Excellent, I’ll be with you shortly. If you’ll excuse me for now.” Her mother followed behind him, leaving Vi and Jayme alone.
“If you’ll follow me.” Jayme dismounted, handing her horse to a waiting soldier.
Vi did the same, silently grateful her stiff legs did not give out. Riding for hours on end wasn’t something she was accustomed to and she’d have to develop stamina fast. Ignoring the aches and needles sinking into her muscles with every movement, Vi walked tall.
“It is a wonder how you take steps at all after your long rides,” Vi mumbled under her breath for Jayme alone as the other soldier walked away with their horses. From the corners of her eyes, she could’ve sworn she saw the woman fighting a smirk.
“You’ll get used to it.”
“I hope so, otherwise I’ll be landing on my bum tomorrow when my legs give up on me.”
They walked through camp. Vi was keenly aware of the feeling of all eyes on her. She always thought she garnered attention everywhere she went in Soricium, but now she realized the city was largely accustomed to the crown princess in their midst. These soldiers looked at her as though she was the Mother given flesh.
Vi tried to ignore them. Her tutors had said that the worst thing that could happen was to stare back and acknowledge them. She had to hold herself apart—regal—and hope they grew bored of her soon enough.
Jayme led her toward a tall, six-sided tent. It had one flap opening with a canopy suspended above. The pointed roof was supported by a single post inside. Soldiers were going in and out, carrying items and finishing tying off the last of the tent supports.
“This will be your home on the road,” Jayme said, pausing in the opening.
Vi stared, attempting to rectify the disconnect between what she was seeing and what her expectations for travel were. There was a proper bed, and a small sitting area of wooden folding chairs adorned with pillows and gathered around an iron brazier. There was even a table at naval height, the perfect place to stand and think and work.
“This seems excessive…” Vi pitied the poor souls who had to set up and break down this behemoth every day. “Where are you staying?”
“I have my own lodging to set up.” Jayme gave her a small grin, her demeanor relaxed in the semi-privacy of Vi’s abode. “I assure you it’s nothing to be jealous over.”
“You could stay here with me. Mother knows, I have the room.” Vi motioned around her.
“And then some,” Jayme muttered. “But no one would want me underfoot here.”
“Underfoot? You could never be.”
“I’m not anyone important, and you’ll be discussing sensitive matters of state here.”
“Ivalue your opinion. I want you here.”
Jayme fought a small laugh, glancing outside. “Despite what they tell you, yours isn’t the only opinion that matters. You have to keep what others will think or feel in mind.”
“But you—”
“It’s fine, Vi.” Jayme turned to leave and Vi knew the woman wouldn’t hear any more of it. No matter how hard Vi tried, Jayme would always see herself as the odd woman out in a world of royals.
“Stay a while. Just a little. Surely that’s all right.” Being alone with her thoughts and emotions was the last thing Vi wanted. The day was both joyous and sorrowful at the same time and she didn’t know which emotion would win. Perhaps they’d just split her right down the middle, tearing her apart from the inside out.
“I need to set up my own tent.” Jayme stepped out under the canopy that stretched in front of the opening to Vi’s tent and started off to the right. “I figure you’ll want some time with your brother, in any case.”
