“Nights, sometimes late afternoons.”
Vi could work with that. “Maybe, perhaps, we could steal him away one afternoon, keep him from exposing himself further? Maybe convince him to take one night off, even. If he won’t stay here permanently, we could at least lessen the risk some?”
“That’s not a terrible idea…” Ellene sat back upright, crossing her legs. “It’s been a while since we—”
“Open the gates!” The shout of a warrior patrolling the wall interrupted Ellene. All four of their heads jerked in the direction of the manned stone gate. The two warriors were moving forward, sweeping their hands up and then down, magically lowering the stone pillars that blocked the main path. “Imperial rider!”
Vi rose to her feet slowly, vaguely aware of the others doing the same.
Imperial rider. Squinting, she could make out a horse in the distance. The details of its leathers were impossible to decipher, but Vi already knew what they looked like. She knew they had the emblazoned suns of Solaris stretching across them just like Jayme’s did when she was out for deliveries.
“Vi—”
She didn’t know who called after her, but Vi was running. She was over the fence and on the other side, starting toward the gate. She knew it wouldn’t be her mother or brother. And yet… this person was from them. Her heart was still racing at the thought of how close her family was.
The horse sped through the open gate and the two warriors on either side raised the pillars once more. The woman slowed the speckled stallion down, her feet pressing forward as her body leaned back slightly in the saddle.
Without a second thought, Vi walked right up to her.
“Report,” Vi commanded. There were warriors coming from the wall. She had no doubt Sehra and Jax were on their way from within the fortress. But her attention was solely on the blonde-haired woman hastily dismounting before her.
“I have a message for the chieftain, please excuse me.” The rider handed Vi the reins.
Vi blinked at them, glancing down at herself. Well, she wasn’t exactly dressed like a princess today. Though the overall finery in fabric and make should’ve given something away.The Westerners had known who she was at a mere glance. A Southerner clearly had no idea.
“I believe it is information I am privy to.” Vi dropped the reins and stepped in front of the woman.
Her blue eyes narrowed slightly as her face twisted into an indigent look. “I was told to deliver my message to the chieftain, not a stable hand. Now, see my horse is fed and brushed while I carry out Imperial business.”
A tiny smile crossed Vi’s lips. She had a lot of options on where to go from here, and all were appealing.
“That is no stable hand.” Her friends had joined her, and Jayme was the one to speak up on Vi’s behalf. “I believe it is customary to bow before your crown princess.”
The woman looked back to Vi, and Vi saw the moment realization dawned on her. She did more than bow. The woman practically fell to her knee.
“Forgive me, your highness. I did not—”
Vi held up her hand. She didn’t care right now about appearances, even though she could practically hear Martis’s voice in her head droning on about how she should. This was the moment the true judgment of the South began. With this woman’s first impression, rumors would spread. And she had been plain enough to be mistaken for a stable hand—not the most ideal start.
Perhaps it was for the best she had already intended on running away.
“Tell me news of my mother,” Vi demanded.
“The Imperial parade is approximately three days from Soricium.” The woman raised her eyes. “I was sent ahead so your preparations could begin.”
Vi’s heart skipped a beat. In fact, it skipped several. She struggled to find air while keeping her face regal and passive.
“Three days, that’s much earlier than expected,” Ellene murmured.
It was, and that meant she didn’t have time to wait and find an excuse for Darrus to be sent to the fortress.
She had to go to him herself.
Chapter Four
“Narro hath hoolo.”As Vi spoke the words, light spun Taavin into existence. Vi pulled the magic back from her fingertips, drawing it tightly around her wrist, imagining it as though it were a rope knotting in place.
“I’m surprised you’re not asleep yet.” He looked toward the window. “You usually don’t summon me after we’re up all night.”
