Taavin’s armswere tucked around her, enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth. Vi shifted in an attempt to nestle farther back into him. His body curled around her back and his breath tickled her ear lightly.
The halls were quiet. It was as if there wasn’t another soul in the entire palace—as if this space they had found was out of time itself. She trailed her fingers along his forearm to his hand. Even in sleep, he laced his fingers with hers.
“Good morning,” Taavin whispered in her ear, his voice husky and low. She closed her eyes to savor the sound.
“Good morning.”
“How did you sleep?”
“Like the dead.”
“I’m glad you came back to life for me, then.” He chuckled and it reverberated through her own ribcage.
She twisted to face him. “I’d never not come back for you.”
He leaned forward, nuzzling her nose with his, before planting a sweet kiss on her lips. It was too brief, and an embarrassing whimper escaped her as he pulled away. He let out another chuckle and leaned forward again to claim her mouth. His arms tightened, and they remained locked in this embrace as the minutes—it could’ve been hours, even—slipped away.
Taavin kissed her fiercely. He twisted, bringing his weight atop her. Vi sank further into the mattress.
Her world was him—his exploring hands, his hungry kisses, and his ragged breaths. He didn’t have to say anything else. She knew. She could taste it on his mouth. She could feel it in the way his fingers caressed her.
The day slipped away from them. Dusk settled on their sweat-glistened skin as it winked through the narrow window that ran along the wall above the bed. A beam of gold elongated along their feet as they lay, entwined and breathless.
“It had been too long since we had a moment alone,” Taavin murmured, kissing her forehead.
“Yes, well, we’ve been busy. War will do that,” Vi said with a smile.
“I never thought I’d say this, but I miss the Twilight Kingdom.”
Vi laughed. “It was peaceful there.”
“When you weren’t studying the shift in secret.” His tone had a disapproving edge, but it was just playful enough to let her know the affront had long since been forgiven.
“Admit it, you’re glad I did.”
“It makes things convenient,” he grumbled, and kissed her anyway.
“Speaking of the shift… Deneya will be here soon. We have to start looking for the crown.”
“That’s tomorrow’s problem.” He shifted atop her again. “Tonight, you’re mine.”
Tomorrow’s problems promptly became today’s.
Taavin went to hunt through the records in the Tower of Sorcerers for any mention of the crown being discovered. Vi navigated the depths of the castle and back up into the servants’ quarters. There, she lifted three sets of uniforms from a supply closet while no one was looking, and took them back to the hideaway she and Taavin were using.
He was still gone, so Vi changed alone and returned through the hidden passageways and servants’ halls to get to the royal quarters. Neither of the guards positioned on either side of the golden gate stopped her as she made her way quietly past them. Pitcher in hand and pale blue tabard over her shoulders, she looked like any of the other servants coming and going to attend the needs of royals.
A short hall after the gates opened up into a large atrium. Vi’s feet slowed as she crossed the tiled floor. She came to a full stop, staring in awe. The fact that she was supposed to be a servant who had traversed these rooms countless times was lost for a long moment and she shamelessly gawked, taking in the sight.
A stained-glass dome with the sun at its apex washed the mosaic of the palace set into the floor in a myriad of colors. The dome contained the Dark Isle, Barrier Islands, and Meru off to the side.
Her eyes followed a golden staircase back down to the main floor. Two hallways stretched out on either side. Vi imagined Romulin running up and down these halls to let out energy. No… that was whatshewould’ve done, had she grown up here. Romulin no doubt spent a good portion of his time in his room, or a sitting area, quietly studying like the golden child he was.
Now having met Baldair, she could see what everyone had said about her brother inheriting some of his features and charm. But there was still a good deal of Aldrik and Vhalla in him as well. Romulin had been a healthy mix of the family—the best of them, in Vi’s eyes.
Her eyes stung, watering suddenly.
Turning away from the atrium, Vi headed left down a long corridor lined with doors. She was drowning in emotions she wasn’t expecting, and her body was trying to let them out through her eyes. Vi picked one of the doors at random and gave it a knock.
