The East-West Way would lead her to Norin, the greatest port in the world, where she would find countless ships on which to secure passage across the sea to Meru. Further west still, across treacherous, pirate-infested seas, was her father—and the cure for an ailing Empire.
Chapter Eighteen
Vi walked without stopping.
She walked as the sun crested the desert sands, spreading its arms as it woke up in beams of light that broke on a cloudless sky. She walked as the men and women of the Crossroads awoke. She walked as merchants began to fill their stalls with wares and open the doors of their stores, spreading out their large sun canopies in preparation for the day.
Her mind was filled with two things only: her father and Meru. No matter what, she would get to him. She would learn of everything that had transpired since he left, how he’d survived, and whatexactlyhe’d been doing.
Then she would get to Taavin, and embrace him. Together, the three of them would find a cure, of that Vi was certain. Then she’d return for her mother, and they’d all live happily ever after.
It was the perfect plan, too perfect to unfold without a hitch in real life, but Vi repeated the lie over and over again.
Ahead of her, Vi could see the edge of the Crossroads. The buildings had been shrinking, the stalls becoming less lush the further away from the center of the Crossroads she got, and now in the distance she could see a glimpse of the Waste and the road that snaked through it. She was so close to what felt like true freedom that she had to struggle to contain a scream of pure anguish as a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist, halting her.
Vi whirled, the spark igniting between her fingers. She pulled it back, freezing in place the second her eyes met those of the woman who had stopped her. A familiar set of irises looked back at hers, searching. They rested under knitted brows and a mess of brown hair.
“Jayme,” Vi whispered. “What are you doing here?”
“Making sure you stay out of trouble… Or trouble stays away from you.” Her voice was low, almost a growl, as her eyes darted around. She wore a heavy cape over her shoulders, but Vi could see she still had her sword and chainmail on underneath.
“What are you talking about?” Vi narrowed her eyes, looking from sword to woman.
At the sight, Jayme slowly uncurled her fingers from around Vi’s wrist, easing her hand back down and taking a small step back. Vi returned the gesture in kind, lowering her hand and letting go of the fire with a sigh. She continued to look around them, though no merchants seemed to have noticed.
“Romulin told me you were leaving.”
Every curse word Vi had ever heard flew across her brain at once. Her brother didn’t out her to their mother, or the army at large. But he did tell Jayme—Vi’s guard and friend. She could understand the logic, but she still resented him for it. Jayme was supposed to stay behind to protect him.
“You’re not going to stop me,” Vi declared, adjusting her head scarf once more, praying no one looked too closely at the odd exchange.
“I’m not trying to.” Vi stilled. Jayme’s eyes swept their surroundings again. “Not out in the open… this way.”
They started toward a secluded alcove between two buildings. Not quite an alleyway, but not in the center of the street either. Jayme leaned against the opposite wall, arms folded. It was then that Vi noticed her friend had a pack on under her cloak. She’d come prepared.
“You’re going to come with me,” Vi said softly.
Jayme nodded solemnly. “It’s my duty to protect and look out for you. I’m not letting you do this alone.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to do.”
“I have a hunch.”
“Really?” It was Vi’s turn to fold her arms over her chest.
“Yes, really.”
“What do you think that is?”
“I think you’re going to look for your father.” Jayme fought a grin and lost as Vi’s arms fell to her sides, defeated.
“Am I that transparent?”
“Only to those who know you.” Jayme’s hand fell on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze and a light shake. Vi didn’t know why, but she found the weight reassuring as the woman leaned in slightly. “Fortunately for you, I know you, and I’m not going to stop you.”
“Why? You should.”
“I should,” Jayme agreed. “But who will really be surprised that I’ve gone off with you? If anything, they’ll expect it.” Vi gave a soft huff amusement and agreement. “Plus, it may give your mother some peace of mind to know that her daughter has someone looking out for her.”
