“You have not.” Vi couldn’t decide if Erion’s expression was proud, amused, or merely curious. “Why?”
“I did not want to risk involving my mother,” Vi began delicately. “The Senate is already skeptical of the crown.”
“And you thought running away would help?”
“Actually, I think it will. We both know it’s my brother they want to see sit the throne.” A pause, waiting for him to challenge. Nothing. “They have no love for me—raised in a foreign land, Firebearer, only passable in the dance of politics.” Vi wasn’t attempting to downplay herself, merely speak truth. Erion seemed to appreciate the fact, as he didn’t object. “My brother seated on the throne would be best for the Empire, I admit that fully. The West is loyal enough and, despite physical appearances, my brother has as much of my father’s blood as I do. There’s no reason itmustbe me on the throne.
“But…” Vi finally turned her attention back to him. “I am the only one who can find my father.”
“Why do you think you can find him when all other search parties have failed?”
“Other search parties didn’t have the benefit of future sight. I do.” Vi closed her eyes, taking a breath. One of her hands wrapped around the watch that connected her to Taavin, drawing strength from the thought of him. “Because… while I’m certain those search parties did their best, they were looking for their Emperor. I am looking for my father. And I believe that motivation will be the key to my success.”
Erion paused; the silence was heavy and uncomfortable. Despite herself, Vi continued to speak over it.
“Furthermore, I—” She fought to regain an iron grip on her emotions but they slipped free. “—I do not think I would be an effective ruler if I was forced to sit on the throne and watch my people die, doing nothing, when my father, their rightful ruler, is alive and may have the cure for the affliction ravaging our lands.
“The Empire will do well, thrive even, under the shrewd politics of my brother; the crown is secure. I will find our true sovereign and reunite my family. I will aide in finding a cure for the disease plaguing our citizens.”
“And if you die?” He said it as if she hadn’t thought about the possibility. As if she hadn’t already considered the likelihood of that coming to pass.
“Then I die. Which is another reason I could not involve my mother. I could not have her knowing of that heartbreak while also enduring the heartbreak of knowing Father is out there as well, unable to return home. In that case, my true fate will remain a mystery to all but you and Jayme.”
Erion leaned back in his chair. Finally, he took a long sip of his drink. It was as if she had passed whatever test he had been administering.
“And Jayme—what does she intend?”
“She’s one of the few who knows of my visions. Whatever she intends is up to her.”
“She should prove trustworthy, if she’s anything like her father.” Vi bit back a retort. “Where did you learn such craftiness? It reminds me of Jax.” He almost seemed impressed. “It couldn’t have been easy, sneaking away from your guards, enlisting one to help you—though I’m not surprised, given her parentage—and surviving the Waste.”
“I have to find my father.” It was all she could say because, in truth, she didn’t know where the abilities had come from. She’d never even considered failure. Doing so felt like a betrayal of her family and the Empire. “Will you help me or not?”
Erion thrummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair. When they finally stopped, the conversation shifted in a way that sounded like permission.
“I will need a week to execute this. Organizing ships for these sorts of ventures is not easy since the Empire closed trade with the Crescent Continent. And I will need to devise the proper incentive for my business partners to ferry you beyond the barrier islands.”
“Thank you.” Vi took a cautious sip of her drink. “What do you seek in return for all this kindness?”
A thin smile formed itself on his dusky lips. “It’s my honor to assist the future Empress. Surely, you don’t think I’d ask for anything more than your gratitude for doing my duty to the crown?”
The wordgratituderang heavy. “Of course not, Lord Le’Dan.”
It was not the first time her family had been indebted to his. The Ci’Dans may have won the Western wars for political supremacy with their military might, but they’d always been beholden to the wealth and influence of the Le’Dans. They were shrewd, cunning, and had a knack for politics that meant they were rarely on the losing side.
Vi was certain Erion was already two steps ahead in figuring out several ways that, no matter what happened to her, this act of kindness would benefit him.
“Then, to your venture.” Erion raised a glass. “Should I not have a chance to toast your health and success—as I do not think we should risk speaking so openly on this again—let me do so now.”
“To my venture.” Vi raised her glass as well and then drained the rest of its burning contents.
Chapter Twenty-Three
They had goneto dinner shortly after cementing their agreement.
Erion’s wife—Rhalla—was a generous woman, both in manner and in hospitality. For a woman who hadn’t been “expecting to entertain,” she produced an enviable spread of Western fare. Vi had worked her way through the different courses. There were too many to finish all of them, but Vi still cleaned plate after plate. Now her stomach felt like she was carrying a stone in it.
She wasn’t sure if she could have gone right to bed after a meal like that if she tried.
