Sameer followed my gaze. “Oh! You see him. Cyrus!” he called, waving. “Over here!” He laughed, nudging me. “Don’t be shy to flag him down for me, dear. Your voice is sharper.”
I felt the swordsman’s air of hesitation from where I stood, and when Sam repeated his request, I wondered if his friend would even comply. Though, whether reluctantly or not, he did.
The closer he came, the more my ribs bound tightly to my lungs. A short breath, and then-
“Your Highness.”Elías appeared beside me.
I gasped at his arrival.
“Are you well?” he asked.
“I—Yes, Ser. What is it?” I asked. “Lord. You just appeared like that.” I set my hand to my chest. “I think you stole some years.”
He nodded to the swordsman as he approached our group, and at the same time, the Prince stepped forward a few paces to meet his friend.
“Seriously?” I asked.
He ignored the comment. “Have you placed any bets?”
I scowled. “Ah, I see.”
“Ah, I see?” he asked. “A strange name for a horse.”
“Indeed. Must we play this game, Lord Commander?” I asked. “If you must blatantly impair my opportunities, be open about it at least.”
“Opportunity? Hmm.” He tsked. “Then you refuse to heed my advice.”
“Your advice,” I repeated. I formed a few agitated faces.
“Svana,”he whispered.“You do not need to speak with Mr. Evergreen.”
“Mr. Evergreen is my friend,” I said quietly.
“Friends do not put ladies in bad situations.” He pointed to the stallion he liked. “That one is doing well.”
My eyes wandered back, back to my Sword and the Prince, but Cyrus did not look at me. He only looked at Sam, and then a pair of women joined them. Lady Agatha and…my seamstress?
My breath was audible, and Elías was all too aware of it. He glanced between the party that had formed and me, but offered nothing for my concern. A difficult nerve climbed my throat as the tailor’s hand rested in the crook of Mr. Evergreen’s arm.
“What is she doing?” I hissed.
As unmoved as ever, Elías said, “Would you like me to retrieve the Prince for you?” I didn’t reply. “I agree, it is bold of Lady Agatha to be speaking with him so openly, and with you not so far away.”
I stared at the offense until, by some miracle, Evergreen stepped back politely from the girl, then excused himself and left. My heart raced as I watched him vanish around the tables of refreshments and into the fray of gamblers.
All the blood I carried rushed to my head, demanding that I act, and actthen, and, like an uncontainable burst of fire, panic burned through my chest, and a mad woman’s voice in my head screamed for me to run after him.
“Ha-aCk!,”I choked, hands flying to my neck, suddenly born anew as a street merchant peddling her fares or a mercenary on the hunt. “I- Ack!” I sang.
“Svana?” Elías grabbed the meat of my arm, eyes wide. “What is it?” he begged. “Are you choking?”
“I-” I looked at him, scouring the yard for inspiration. “T-The humidity,” I croaked. “I-I need water.”
“Stay here,” he said. He started off. “I shall fetch you something to drink.”
“Aye,” I said. I coughed a few more times, just for the sale of it.
When he was far enough, I, a disobedientchild, soared into a near-comical trot, skipping,gonebefore he had even disappeared properly into the crowd. I could’ve fallen into the dirt a number of times with how quickly I walked, but by the end of the first row of seats,walkinghad evolved into a very deliberate stride. I scoured each and every nook or cranny I came across for my Sword. Finally, I found him.
