“Why? Why did he go home?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps he was homesick,” she said.
“Is he coming back?” I asked.
“I…” She looked up, then her face softened. “I’m sorry, Svana. I did not know you didn’t know,” she said. “I’m sure he’ll return. His life is here. It’s not like he’s run away forever.”
I fell onto the chaise, fingers latching to my chest. “Oh God, hehasrun away from me!” I cried. “Oh God!”
“What? Why would herunfrom you?” she teased. “You’re like his favorite person.”
“Oh, Josie.” I shook my head. “I think, I think I’m having a heart-attack.”
She sped to my side and put her hand to my forehead. “You are clammy,” she said. “But you’re not old enough for that.”
“IknowI’m clammy, dammit!”
She gasped. “Svana!”
“I cannot… I cannot breathe,” I said. “My chest is so tight! I can’t breathe!”
She breathed in herself, in a way to encourage me to copy her. Then out. “In and out,” she said. “In and out, Princess. I’m sure he’s gone for work-related reasons, is all. It’s not like he has a secret lover or anything.”
“Oh myGod, his lover!” I exclaimed.
“What? What lover?”she asked.
“His lover inOreia!”
“No, that was a joke!” she tried. “I didn’t say he had one!”
“I rejected him, and now he’s gone back to her!” I stood, then quickly paced around the room. “That seductress! That witch! How could she?”
Josie’s mouth fell open. “Wait, is there another woman? Other than you?”
“Thatmustbe!” I cried.
“What? Why?”
“Why?” I asked.“Why?I’ve receivedzerocorrespondence of this venture, therefore, he is hiding his travel from me. He is hiding her! I–” It hit me like a wagon. “Elías!”
I cut out into the hall, finding the Lord Commander near the study. He turned,happyto see me and unaware of the imminent scolding he was about to receive for intercepting my mail. I opened my mouth to deliver it the very instant Ser Willoughby called my name.
We both turned and when he caught up, he handed me a small ivory envelope, then greeted me for the day. Elías glanced at the exchange.
“Is everything alright?” he asked. “That’s not your father’s stationary.”
It wasn’t. It was plain. It was raw. It was masculine somehow, but not of nobility.
“...Who is this from?” I dared to ask.
Daniel followed my gaze back to Ser Elías, then lowered his voice. “It’s from Mr. Evergreen, Your Highness.”
“Mr. Evergreen you say?”the other asked.
I hurried to tear into it.
Willoughby said, “Yes, Ser. He had to cancel our ride today. As a courtesy, I delivered this on his behalf.”
