“You can count on me,” Nate says.
Brevan grunts, then nods. “Fine. You guard the front while I patrol, and we’ll switch in a bit.”
I glance around, expecting to see Caiden strolling over to us any second. “I still don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Caiden—” Brevan clears his throat, “—the emperor will understand.”
My eyes catch on the dead guard and my brow furrows in sorrow. I am so tired of people dying for me. “Can we do something for him?”
“What do you mean?” Brevan asks.
“I’m not sure. Burial with honors? Money to his family? WhatcanI do?”
“It’s not your fault, Princess,” he says.
“I know. But he’s still dead because of me.”
“I’ll make sure his family is taken care of,” Brevan says. “Now, will you go to my tent?”
I nod, suddenly feeling the fight go out of me. Someone wants me dead, and I can’t say I blame them.
We’re nearly at Brevan’s tent when I hear feminine giggling. I turn just in time to see Caiden leading the woman from the tavern into a nearby tent. Seconds after they vanish inside, she squeals with joy and I hear Caiden groan.
My cheeks heat. I should be happy that he’s bedding someone who isn’t me, but I’m supposed to be playing the part of his wife. He’s not making it easy.
“You want me to tell him what happened?” Nate volunteers.
“No, thank you.” Now hiding away inside Brevan’s tent doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. The last thing I need is Caiden knowing I saw him with another woman. I need leverage on him. Anything I can get. And him being drunk and occupied by ladies that aren’t me benefits me. I wonder if I could manage to get some poison into the hands of any of the women he might bring back to his room. If I’m not the one who kills him, they can’t possibly harm Anya, can they?
Twelve
Sabina
Every sound, every ripple of fabric, every footstep has me on edge. The blanket smells like Brevan. It should be soothing, but it just makes me feel worse.
When the sounds of the camp waking filter through the fabric, I abandon any hope of sleep. With the blanket wrapped around me, I step out into the early dawn light.
“Good morning, your highness,” Nate says.
“Were you up all night?”
“The enforcer didn’t trust anyone else to guard your door,” he says. “But don’t worry, I’m completely alert.”
“Princ—Empress, how did you sleep?” Brevan asks as he approaches the tent.
“I didn’t. Where were you? Nate needs to get some sleep.” I realize my tone is harsher than I intended. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you were doing something important.”
“I was assisting the emperor,” he says with a tone that implies it wasnotimportant.
“And how is my—”I clench my hands into fists and fight myself to make the word come out “—husband?”
“He’s well. Already rode ahead with the forward legion. He’s called off our other stops and ordered us to the Winter Estate immediately. We’ve a full day of riding and camping one more night. With luck, we’ll arrive before nightfall tomorrow.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Good.” As soon as I make sure my ladies are safe, I can start devising a plan to get them out. “Were you up all night as well, Enforcer?”
“Don’t worry about me.” He signals toward a group of legionnaires nearby. “Prepare the empress’s carriage.”
They nod, then hurry away.
