"Fine," the prince says through gritted teeth before storming over to the floorboard that holds the exit. He whispers something to Alaceandra before jumping down the hatch.
The fear that flashes across Alaceandra's face at his dramatic departure has me balling my hands into fists. "How far down is that drop? Is he okay?" She strains to look but Sorin quickly shifts her back into him as she sways. I give him a nod and make my way over to the hatch to follow after the fool.
"He is fine," I growl. "The asshole is just being dramatic. We will be back soon." I then quickly climb down the ladder and flash to catch up to the prince.
"What was that?" I ask pulling the prince to a stop.
He turns on me, eyes flashing with anger. "What do you mean 'what was that?' Alaceandra is injured and you have me on border patrol for the evening? What is that about?"
I walk ahead of him and he reluctantly follows. "I need to check the woods, I saw something or someone right before Alaceandra passed out, which will leave the north wall empty for the evening. I need you to make sure it is secure while I investigate the threat."
"Why me? Although it seems you have some sway with that Credour man, I am not under any charge of yours. I do not take kindly to being ordered around."
It is my turn to roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You are a big tough prince, but when it comes to the matters of Alaceandra's safety I need someone I can trust watching out for her while this is taken care of."
"And you don't trust me, so you have Credour watching the dove?"
"We have been over this, of course I don't trust you I can see your agenda written all over your face. You care more about getting back at daddy then you do anything else. Alaceandra is just your tool to getting there, why she wants to go after you is a mystery to me."
"And yet you would allow it."
"I cannot nor will not control Alaceandra's actions. She alone decides her future."Whether I like it or not.
"Ah now it is you that speaks in riddles." We share a look of mutual understanding as we reach the ladder to Sylvie's cottage. "Fine, I will check out the border, but I will only be out there for two hours. Only two hours. After I will switch out with someone else. I do not want to leave the Dove for too long." Worry flashes over the pest’s face, and I nod at him.
"Fine. I will finish my business swiftly and meet you back at Sylvie's in two hours." He nods at me.
The pest climbs the ladder, and I follow after him. We round the corner finding Sylvie in the kitchen finishing up dinner. I grimace. "Sylvie, I think with Lace's incident earlier, it might be best if she gets some rest. I am not sure if we will be able to eat in your kitchen tonight." Lyza sits at the table playing with a small wooden doll, and I smile at her warmly.
Sylvie spins around beaming at me. "Oh, I figured as much!" She says, amicably. "I am making your dishes in little portable containers, feel free to carry them to her room when you are both done with business tonight." She bustles over and gives usboth a kiss on the cheek before resuming her cooking. "Be safe out there!"
"Thank you, Sylvie. You are far too kind," the prince drawls.
"Oh hush." She turns a little pink.
I push the prince out the door.
"Two hours?" I ask
"Two hours," he repeats.
Chapter thirty-eight
Drained
Alaceandra
Iwatch Sam leave and cannot help but be annoyed that he avoided my question. I look at Sorin. "Where are they going?" I repeat.
He looks away. "Um… I am not sure."
I do not believe that one bit.I huff. "Really? Again with this?"
He sighs, his foot tapping, before he finally relents. "The prince and Sam have been keeping watch of Olvaria during theday from any potential threats. Just because Sam has defeated one of the creatures before doesn't mean they will not be back. He has been on guard whenever he is not training you, I assume they have gone to check on that."
"Olvaria?" I ask.
"The village. I learned that is what they call the place while I have been out helping the villagers build the wall around the perimeter."
