“I had a feeling.” Fiera shrugged and crossed to a bench. She patted it, inviting Vi to sit next to her. Vi obliged. “May I know your name now, traveler?”
“Yullia.”
“Yullia, a beautiful and unique name.” A knowing smile spread across her lips. “And tell me, Yullia, what is it you seek?”
The sword you carry. Vi knew it wouldn’t be that easy. The crystal sword, known to the West as the Sword of Jadar, was a sacred relic. If she was going to steal it, she needed a bit more of a plan than grab and flee.
Move slowly, Vi reminded herself in Taavin’s words. She had time,decadesof time. She didn’t have to take the sword in one night.
“I wish to be at your side—guiding and protecting as I am able,” Vi said finally, after weighing her various options. “I can serve you in many ways, and perhaps we will find one that is the best for your needs. I am confident with a sword, and with magic. I am wise to the ways of the world. And I can see along the Mother’s lines as well.”
Fiera hummed softly. “I should tell you no. I wouldn’t want to get a reputation for accepting people easily into my employ. Especially those who break our laws.”
“Will you tell me no?” Vi asked, genuinely unsure of the answer.
“I will tell you that I am a woman of faith—and I believe in the Mother’s will that guides us all. You feel of fate, and speak like one who has the sight.” Fiera stood. “So kneel, traveler Yullia.”
Vi pushed off the bench and did as she was instructed.
“Do you swear fealty and loyalty to me, and to the Solaris crown?”
She didn’t even have to fake the broad grin at the question. “Yes.”
“Then consider yourself a member of my guard, formerly the Knights of Jadar…” A smirk pulled up the corners of Fiera’s lips. It was somewhat coquettish and the first playful thing Vi had seen about the otherwise perfectly composed royal. “I’m still working on a new name.”
“No names needed.” Vi rose to her feet. “I am here for you, your highness. Not for a title.”
“And I have been truly blessed in that.” Fiera stood and began walking once more, but her shoulders had more sway to them, her steps far less rigid. Just like that, a barrier between them had been lowered, if not entirely removed. “You are not the first the Mother has sent to me in this way.”
“Who was—” Before Vi could finish, three people appeared in the doorway.
“There she is.” Tiberus let out a sigh of relief, crossing over to Fiera and scooping up her hands. He didn’t even so much as glance Vi’s way. Vi wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t even realize there were other people around him. It was a far cry from the Emperor Vi saw in the great hall. “You worried me—all of us—wandering off without Zira at the very least. It’s too dangerous still for you to do that. The association with me will have people out to harm you.”
“No one in Mhashan would harm me. And I had to come and meet with my new guard.” Fiera motioned to Vi and the Emperor slowly turned his head to look at her.
“You’re the criminal.”
“I’d prefer ‘party crasher’.” Vi shrugged.
The Emperor’s expression grew more concerned at her nonchalance, but lightened instantly when Fiera let out a burst of laughter. He finally chuckled as well.
“You are an odd one, aren’t you?” Tiberus shook his head with a slight smile, all the while his eyes still on Fiera. “I suppose if my beloved trusts you, so shall I.”
Most of the stories Vi had heard of her grandfather were about him at the end of his decades of conquest. They were tales of an older man, hardened by war. The man before Vi now was barely in his thirties and he looked not a day past twenty-five.
“Yullia?” a familiar voice interrupted the conversation.
Vi grinned. “Hello, Zira.”
“I thought it was you!” Zira hastily walked and clasped Vi’s shoulder. “Forget how she made it out of the jail cell… how did you make it out of containment? You do have an interesting set of skills, don’t you?”
“You could say that.”
“A set of skills we will use for our Empire,” Fiera insisted to Tiberus. “I have made her my guard and would seek not to have her punished for impersonating a noble tonight, or sneaking out of the soldiers’ confinement. She was merely following the will of the Mother, and my will, to stand at my side.”
“Then it shall be done.” Tiberus gave a nod to Vi and, like that, she was absolved of all crimes.
“Thank you, my love,” Fiera said lightly, almost sweetly. It was yet another stark contrast to the stiff, formal woman Vi had seen in the main hall.
