Jayme stared at the man for a long moment—long enough that his eyes flicked in her direction. The two stared at each other for half a breath and then Jayme looked back to her. “I do not.” She paused, folding her arms over her chest in thought. “But I can see how he’d make you uneasy. He’s a small giant.”
“I’m glad I’m not alone,” Vi mumbled. “I don’t like him, Jayme. He rubs me wrong.”
“You really shouldn’t go around demoting people from their jobs just because they ‘rub you wrong.’” Jayme sighed softly. She was ever the challenge and counterweight to Vi’s authority. “I’m sure he’s just a common man trying to make a living. It’s a high honor to carry the princess’s luggage, you know. You nor I should try to remove him from the post for no good reason.”
“I hope it’s as simple as you say.” She sincerely did. Vi had too much to worry about already; she had no interest in adding a nosy soldier to her list. “Still, I think he was going through my things when I wasn’t in my tent.”
“Now, that’d be an offense to the crown. Do you have proof of it?”
“I don’t… Just a feeling, given how he was unloading them.” Vi rubbed the back of her neck, trying to smooth down the hair that stood on end there from the mere sight of Fallor. “You’re right, I know you are. It’s likely nothing and I’m jumping at shadows.”
Vi didn’t want to abuse her power. Even if she was going to leave, she didn’t want rumors of her being a harsh ruler flying around with the rest. It would be a mark against her family, if nothing else.
“You have a lot on your plate right now,” Jayme said softly, the tone of the friend Vi knew slipping in. “Stress gets to everyone.”
“Still, do you mind indulging me?” Jayme looked to her and Vi added hastily. “Please? As my friend? Keep an eye on him when you’re not stuck at your post outside my tent, that’s all. You don’t have to go digging or let him know he’s being investigated. For my peace of mind?”
“Of course I will.” Jayme gave a small nod. “If I find anything I’ll be certain to let you know. But try to not let worry over nothing consume you.”
“Thank you.” As if somehow the soldiers had been waiting on their conversation ending, the tent finished going up in that moment. “Would you like to stay for dinner tonight?” Vi offered, already knowing Jayme would, yet again, find some excuse to excuse herself.
“I can’t find information on this Fallor if I do.” Jayme shook her head. “And I should stay close to the soldiers, make sure I can be your ear on the inside.”
“Right,” Vi begrudgingly agreed. “Thank you for all you do.”
“I’m here for you, you know that. I’ll be back to take up my post right after I grab some food.” Jayme gave her a fond smile and quickly departed for the ration line.
Vi entered her tent alone, waving at the brazier to light it. Before her hand fell, she whispered the incantation to bring forth Taavin, anchoring the light around her wrist.
“This is different…” Taavin looked around her tent. “You’re on the road now?”
“Only a few days until we reach the northern edge of the Western Waste, then it’s a straight shot down to the Crossroads.”
“Where you’ll make your break for it?”
“That’s the plan,” Vi muttered, her thoughts still swirling around Romulin, feeling distant from Jayme, and the knowledge of Fallor touching her things. It was all a heavy burden, and that was ignoring the fact that she still had to think of the right moment to slip away.
“What is it?” Taavin shifted, his attention solely on her.
“Nothing.” Vi wanted to look anywhere but at him. If she gave him her eyes, then he would see everything—all her insecurities, fears, and worries. Of that, Vi was certain. The last thing she wanted to do was look weak before him of all people.
“I know it’s not nothing.”
“You don’t know anything.” She wrapped her arms around herself protectively. Even though she could send him away if she wanted, she didn’t.
Everything about him was a conflicting feeling. Yet she loved it all. She needed him close; even when she wanted to be alone, she still wantedhim. She wanted to be alone with him.
“I know you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I do.” Taavin took a step toward her. “Well, I’m still learning, yes… But I know a good deal, and I want to know more.”
“No, you don’t,” she repeated, softer.
“Yes, I am quite certain that I do.” His hands lifted, as though he was going to reach for her. Then, thinking better of it, they fell back to his sides. Which made it all the more notable when a single finger found itself under her chin, directing her eyes to his. “I want to know everything about you.”
“For your visions?” Vi asked softly. Part of her screamed,let it be for that. Because if that’s all it was, she could ignore the fire that had begun to smolder between them both, smoking out feelings she didn’t want to address.
