Her brother’s tent was only a short distance away—short enough that Vi managed to cross to it without an escort clinging to her shoulder.
Without hesitation, Vi gave a firm knock on the tent post. There was movement within, hushing voices, and then Romulin’s face appeared illuminated by a small sliver of orange light.
“S-Sister?”
“We need to talk.” Vi clasped her hands before her, knotting them over her stomach. “You’re the only one I can turn to right now. I need your wisdom. I need the other half of my mind.”
“I—Of course.” Romulin looked inside and it was when he shifted that Vi locked eyes with Andru. The other man stood from where he’d been lounging, eyes on his feet as he crossed to leave.
“I’ll leave you to it,” he mumbled.
“Thank you, Andru.” Vi watched him go. Luckily, he didn’t seem too upset at being displaced. He’d been the one pushing her to make up with Romulin, after all.
“Well, come in then.”
Vi followed behind her brother, stepping into a tent full of awkward tension. She ignored it. There wasn’t time for their petty squabbles anymore.
“I wish,” she started, “we had the luxury of time. I wish we could’ve grown up together, spent our years playing and learning alongside each other. But we didn’t have that.”
He gave a small nod, not yet knowing where she was going with her point but clearly agreeing with that basic sentiment.
“But I realize now, I wouldn’t change it.”
Romulin’s eyes widened a fraction at that statement.
“We are in a unique position—you and I.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know about Mother.”
The words clearly shook him to his core. He took a step backward, sitting heavily in one of his chairs. Romulin ran a hand over his face and shook his head.
“I didn’t think she’d tell you so soon…”
“She didn’t intend to. I found out by chance.” Vi watched the opportunity to chastise her brother for keeping it from her come and go. A competitive, sisterly part of her hated that her twin knew something she didn’t. The more logical princess knew it was a strength they had—they’d each studied vastly different knowledge, and together they formed a more complete whole.
Romulin wouldn’t look at her. Finally, he spoke softly. “Do you see now?”
“See what?”
“This is why I was telling you that we need to focus on the here and now. We need to enjoy what we have—the love and joy we can find—because the road ahead is more challenging than anything we’ve faced so far.”
“The road aheadismore challenging than anything we’ve faced. But we need to keep our eyes on it, focused on the route that leads where we want to go. We can’t be so lost savoring the now that we don’t seize tomorrow.”
He finally looked back to her with his cool eyes. Vi leveled with his, not backing down, not flinching. She didn’t come to fight, but she also wasn’t about to budge on her opinion.
“I’m going to find Father,” Vi vowed softly. “And I’m going to help him find a cure for Mother.”
“Not this about Father being alive again.” Romulin pushed off the chair’s armrests and began to pace.
Vi stopped him, grabbing his wrist. “I need you, brother. You have always given me good counsel, helped me lay and implement plans, but now I need you to heed me—to trust me. As I’m going to need to trust you. It’s my turn to give you counsel. Mother will need you when I’m gone, the whole Empire will. You’re going to do what needs to be done. You’ve always known what that is; trust your gut and follow it.”
“Vi… You can’t really be entertaining this fantasy of running off and playing hero.”
“I don’t care about being the hero. I’m merely doing what must be done because no one else can or will.” Vi released her grip, searching his face for the brother she’d always known in her letters, for the closeness she’d always felt. The moment she saw a glimpse of it, Vi reached out, clasping her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a tight embrace. “We will talk more. Take the next day and think if you must. But I will be leaving from the Crossroads, and before I do that, I want to know two things: That you know I love you. And that you will take care of Mother and keep this secret, sharing my truths only when you think the time is right. I trust your judgment above all else. So if you have any bright spots of advice to give me before I go, I welcome them.”
Releasing him, Vi left him with those thoughts. He wouldn’t tell anyone of her plans—she was certain of it. They may not see entirely eye-to-eye on this. But he was her brother, and he would look out for her above all else.
