He shrugged. “She should know sooner rather than later.”
Amber grimaced. “Fine.” She turned to me. “Once Silence is well, which seems like it will be soon. A group of us will be heading to the capital.”
Oh…That was a letdown. From how Alvere had phrased it, I thought I might have been going with him.
“Even me?” I said, a bit surprised. “Aren’t there people there who want to kill me? I thought I was to lay low?”
Amber’s grimace quirked into a half-smile. “Boss seems to think we won’t be able to stop you from going with us. He thinks you can handle it. Also, we’ve got a plan for you.”
“A plan?” Why did I keep saying these inane two-word sentences?
“Yeah, you’ll be going on the pretense of visiting your sister. She and her House should provide some protection for you. Also…” and with this she glanced at the prince with a slightly sour note. “Midnight will be with you to keep an eye on you.”
“They didn’t want to tell me about their secret weapon,” the prince said with a laugh. “But I insisted there be no secrets. Though, to be fair, I don’t know anything about this Midnight other than her name.”
“In truth, I don’t know much more than that,” I said with a shrug.
I was a little overwhelmed. I’d be leaving soon? Going to see my sister? That would be fun… maybe… if I wasn’t worried for my life the entire time. And seeing Midnight for the first time would be interesting. But oddly, it wasn’t any of that which was foremost on my mind. No, I was mostly sorry the prince would be leaving, or more precisely that I’d be away from him.
Spirits woman, make up your mind! I shouted at myself.
Auwei laughed.You’re young and free. I’ve had hosts who were far more promiscuous than you. At least you’ve only been with those with whom you are truly close. I had one host who would sleep with any man who was remotely attractive to her. That was an… interesting lifetime, that one. I learned a lot.
You’ll have to share that with me sometime.
Maybe. Or maybe I’ll let you learn it for yourself. It can be quite enjoyable to go through that particular learning process.
I bet.
The prince escorted me back to my room after practice. It was late afternoon and we’d need to be ready for supper soon, but we had a little time and I intended to have a bath.
“Legs?” Alvere said tentatively.
I looked over at him. The usually confident young man was hedging, lips pursed, looking at the floor. When he did look back at me, those bright blue eyes catching mine, something seemed to unlock within him. “I will dearly miss you, while I’m away; while we’re both away.”
“I will miss you too,” I said and meant it.
“Might I have a kiss to remember you by?” he asked.
My heart was racing, now that those words had been spoken.
Though then he quirked his mouth. “A kiss that won’t make me stiff all over that is.”
No, just stiff in one place.
Auwei, shame on you!
You were thinking it too.
Maybe.
“I think I could arrange that,” I breathed, feeling my heat rise, my blood pumping, my entire body responding to this simple request.
He leaned over a bit, but I raised a hand. “Not now, please. We’re both a little… ripe. I’d like to clean up first.”
He smiled. “Yes, you’re right, of course.”
“After dinner, meet me in the reading alcove at the far back of the third level of the library,” I said, laying a hand on his chest. I could feel his heart pumping hard.
