“Sheis still a princess of Tundrayn,” Mayah snaps, glaring up at me. My lips twitch. “Your guards may accompany me, but so will my father’s.”
I study her closely, this bold and unapologetic woman. Faramir will have his hands full with her. I nod, allowing the Tundrayni guards to walk alongside us, though I’m not sure the princess would’ve accepted anything less.
When we reach her chambers, I inspect the room to ensure it’s free of threats. I’d be shocked if there weren’t dissenters enraged about the alliance—there certainly will be in Arbinj. Her chambers are simple—a thick fur blanket atop a large bed, a dresser, and a small sitting area. I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t so … stark.
After her handmaids file out of the room, the only remaining energy signature is hers. Just to be safe, I scan the closet and washroom once more. When I finish, the captain of the guard checks her room again. Useless idiot.
Mayah ignores both of us and closes the heavy door in our faces.
I’m left standing in the corridor with the captain—Daak, she called him—exchanging heated glares while we wait for the princess.
“Do you know Mayah well?” I ask casually, leaning against the ice-cold wall.
A muscle jumps in his jaw, and a spiteful delight warms my bones against the chill.
“No,” he finally says, lips set in a grim line.
My neck prickles.
I study him closely. He’s handsome enough. Around my age. “You seem rather concerned about her.”
His hands clench into fists. “Just doing my job. Nothing more.”
Tiny invisible needles jam into the back of my neck. I grit my teeth against the sensation, willing my shoulders not to tense. Definitely something between them. Skies, I hope Mayah wasn’t foolish enough to sleep with him. She’ll be subjected to the purity test in Arbinj. Faramir would send her back—assuming my father would even allow her to return. There’d be no more alliance. And this little excursion into Tundrayn would’ve been a massive waste of my time.
Speaking of time—she’s been sequestered in her chambers for a while. How much is she packing? If not for her energy signature moving about the room, I’d have suspected she tried to escape.
Finally, her door opens, and the princess emerges, dressed in a simple wool tunic and leggings. She nods at the captain butdoesn’t spare me a glance before striding down the hall, head held high.
We reach the icy courtyard where the nobles and Tormik are lined up to bid her farewell. Father and daughter share another tense embrace while I wait near the royal carriage.
Tormik murmurs something in her ear, and Mayah stiffens and nods, lips pressed together tightly.
It seems having a terrible father is something we have in common. Does Tormik not fear for her safety? He’s sending her alone into the literal arms of his enemy.
That’s not my problem, I remind myself as she glides toward me.
I help Mayah into the carriage, and we leave the capital behind.
Chapter Four
Werideinsilence,our journey framed by the white landscape rushing past the small window. Mayah sits quietly, hands crossed primly in her lap. I study her as she stares resolutely out the window. I’m prepared to avert my gaze the second she turns her head, but I don’t have to. She never looks at me.
The carriage slows—is it time already? I’d instructed the drivers to stop after thirty minutes to switch carriages.
Mayah eyes me warily as I descend, offering a hand to help her down. She stares at it like it’s something vile. “Why did we stop?”
Skies, she’s not going to make this easy.
“A precautionary measure.”
The princess doesn’t move.
A deep sigh escapes me. “If we’re attacked,” I explain, “they’d expect us to ride in one of the royal carriages. So we’ll ride in the smaller one.”
“Attacked bywho?”
I don’t bother responding, just stare at her pointedly.
