“The journey looks to have taken a toll on you.” The king’s voice was almost sad. Vi didn’t need sympathy, but she’d gladly take it. “I shall open my home to you, Vi Solaris.”
“You can’t be serious,” Arwin grumbled. Everyone ignored her.
“She is to be my distinguished guest,” the king insisted. “See that she is made comfortable until she feels well enough to continue on her journey.”
“I am to be saddled with—”
“Enough, Arwin,” the king snapped, finally reaching his limit with his daughter’s objections. “I have spoken.”
“Yes, father.” Arwin lowered her head.
“Bathe, rest, eat, and recover tonight, Vi… For in the morning, there is something of grave importance we must discuss.”
“Grave importance?” Vi repeated.
“An object was bestowed on my forefathers long, long ago… well before history was recorded in your homeland. And I believe it belongs to you.”
“I don’t understand.” What could he possibly have that belonged to her? Moreover, how would something like that even get to the Twilight Kingdom?
“I never understood either… until this moment. But we shall discuss in the morning, for it is late now and you could use some rest underneath the safety of a friendly roof.” Noct gave a yawn, as if for emphasis, and when he finished, he waved them away.
Arwin placed her hand on Vi’s shoulder, giving her a small shove toward the door she’d entered from.
“Manners, Arwin.” Vi heard a soft snort over her shoulder. “When you have seen her settled… go with Sarphos to inspect these tears, and then return to me. There are things I must share with you regarding the Dark Isle.”
Secrets on both sides of the ocean. Vi already knew what King Noct would say, and she didn’t envy those revelations. It didn’t take a prophecy to see that the hours looming before Arwin were destined to be filled with unpleasantness.
“Very well, father.”
“I could help show the tears,” Vi offered. Really, the last thing she wanted was for Arwin and Sarphos to be alone in the Twilight Forest. It would be too easy for him to out Taavin and she still had yet to get a firm grasp on their relationship. “Since I know of them.”
“Can you find them confidently, Sarphos?” the king asked.
“I can.”
“Then you should rest.” Noct turned back to her with a small smile. “You look truly exhausted.”
She was. But she wasn’t too exhausted to try to protect Taavin. “I don’t mind assisting.”
“It’s all right, Vi,” Sarphos said. Vi looked to him and the man pointedly locked eyes with her. He gave a small nod that spoke volumes meant to be reassuring, yet it only put her stomach further in knots. “You can trust me to show her the tear.”
And nothing else. Vi hoped that’s what was left unspoken.
“Now that’s settled… Arwin, please see her to the north tower?”
“If I must,” Arwin grumbled, before escorting Vi deeper into the palace of the Twilight Kingdom—and farther from the healer who knew her secret.
Chapter Twelve
“There will bea guard positioned at the entrance to the tower you’ll be staying in,” Arwin said without so much as glancing at her.
“Am I a prisoner?” Vi looked back to the throne room. Sarphos was still speaking with King Noct. What if they were discussing Taavin? How quickly would King Noct’s hospitality turn to hostility? She should be ready to fight her way out of the castle at any moment.
“If it were up to me, you’d already be in irons,” Arwin muttered. Then, louder, “No, you’re not a prisoner. But that doesn’t mean I trust you.”
“I’m not here to make trouble.”
“That’s what all troublemakers say.”
