Jayme was nowhere to be found. Vi thought about knocking on her door and apologizing as was the plan, but she instead headed for the exit.She would apologize tonight. She was reorganizing her priorities, not fleeing from them. Nothing would be gained if she forced her apology on Jayme right now.
The second floor of the manor was composed of all kinds of parlors and gaming rooms. A single, long hall stretched from end to end, lined in carved wooden sliding doors. Most were pulled open, creating a pleasant cross-breeze off the sea and through the manor. Due to the layout, she had little trouble locating the red study.
Aptly named, every wall was covered in rich red velvet, though most of it was hidden by the bookcases stained in a dark lacquer, same as the floor. A fire crackled in the hearth across from her, framed by two tall windows on either side. Erion Le’Dan turned, taking his eyes off the flames.
“You look lovely, Yullia.” Erion raised his glass in what she presumed to be a small toast.
“My name isn’t Yullia.” Vi cut right to the chase, having seen no one else nearby—not even a servant at the door. Perhaps Erion had been hoping for a similar conversation.
“I know.” Erion took a sip of what she presumed to be an amber colored liquor. “That much I inferred.”
“You did?” Vi would play things carefully until she was certain they were on the same page.
“I have my suspicions,” he affirmed. “I know when someone lies to me, especially when they telegraph it so well. I’m in regular contact with the Crossroads. And… I am a Westerner through and through. I have seen portraits of our last princess and first Empress Fiera.” He gave her a long stare and Vi didn’t let her own gaze waver.
“Then allow me to introduce myself again. My real name is Vi Yarl-Ci’Dan Solaris, Crown Princess to the throne of the Solaris Empire.” He knew, and she may as well be the one to say it.
“A pleasure to meet you, Vi Solaris.” Erion gave a small nod and took another small sip of his liquor. But he did not bow or prostrate. In fact, nothing about his demeanor changed and Vi liked him more for it. Erion motioned to one of the two sofas angled toward each other in front of the fireplace. “Would you care to sit?”
“Certainly.” Vi took up a space on the sofa he indicated.
Erion, however, did not sit across from her. Instead he walked to a small bar in the corner of the room. “Would you care for something to drink? Kaha, perhaps?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.” She didn’t know what he was having, but didn’t want to look ignorant or rude. She’d only heard about kaha—strong Western bean tea—from her uncle. And Vi would take her chances with almost anything other than that ominous-sounding concoction.
Erion gave her a look that made Vi wonder if she was about to regret this decision. He turned a small knob on the clawed hand that was holding his drink. A spring was released, and the fingers shot outward. Hand freed, he worked to open the bottle and poured a fresh glass, topping off his as well. Erion re-locked the fingers of his metal hand around his glass before delivering hers.
“Thank you,” Vi said softly. Her eyes drifted to his prosthesis, but Vi tried to divert them. She didn’t think her fascination would be interpreted as flattering given the horrific circumstances that surrounded him losing the limb to the Mad King Victor.
“You’re welcome.” Erion finally sat. “So, what is the cause for all this cloak and dagger? You have created quite a stir.”
“I am on a secret mission,” Vi began. “One of the utmost importance, on behalf of the entire Empire.”
“And that is?”
“I’m going to find my father.”
“Aldrik Solaris is—”
“He’s alive.” Vi cut him off at the pass. “I have future sight and I have seen him.”
Erion paused for a long moment. Then he leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, an intent stare on his face. Now she had his attention. Vi gambled on his Western roots putting great stock into future sight, and it looked like her gamble was going to pay off.
“I have had many visions of my father, many.”Did two count as “many”?“And I have every reason to believe he is alive on the Crescent Continent.” So she was stretching things. Vi wouldn’t make the same mistake she had with Romulin or Jayme and show hesitation.
“You’re certain?”
“Yes.” She didn’t know how she could make herself any clearer. “He is alive. He is on the Crescent Continent. And he is waiting for me.”
Erion leaned back in his seat and took another long sip of his liquor, looking at her from over top the glass. It reminded her that she had yet to touch her own drink, and Vi finally brought it to her mouth. As suspected, it was something strong that singed the hairs on the inside of her nose. The vapors tangled in her throat, causing her to cough.
“It’s an acquired taste,” he said with a small smile.
“I—” another round of coughing claimed her. “I like the taste. Just not the burning.”
“You’ll become acquainted with how to drink it,” he assured her. “I presume you told your mother of these visions?”
“I…”
