by Elise Kova
“Greetings, your highness.” He finally swung one dusty trouser leg over the saddle, dismounting and dipping into a low bow with the same motion. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Andru Rarren, son to Head of Senate, Lord Tomson Rarren.”
Son to Head of Senate… Vi merely blinked at the man for a long minute as the words sank in. She took long enough that her uncle elbowed her side. Vi coughed softly, trying to ignore her lapse in etiquette.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Andru.” Vi held out her hand expectantly.
Andru stared at it for a long moment as if confused. Long enough that Vi wondered if somehow she was remembering what her tutors had told her about Southern introductions incorrectly. But he finally, almost too hastily, grabbed her palm and brought the back of her hand to his lips for a light kiss.
“And you as well, your highness. I’ve heard much about you. Your brother talks much of you. It’s good to finally put a face to a name.” He straightened and Vi shifted, drawing her height as well. They were nearly the same measurement and she relished the fact. She was tall for a woman and would leverage her height as often as possible against men who thought they could look down on her by stature alone.
“I believe there have been portrait artists sent before to capture my likeness. Have you not seen their renditions?” Vi asked, part coy, part cautious.
“There is nothing like laying eyes on you in the flesh. The artists do not do you justice.”
“Indeed, they are far too generous,” Vi remarked dryly. “Why have you come, Lord Andru?” Vi folded her hands before her. “I know it is not to merely set eyes on me. Otherwise you came very far, for very little.”
She could feel her uncle shift uncomfortably next to her. He wanted to scold her for her boldness. But Vi didn’t feel the least bit sorry for her remarks. The Senate had done her no favors in life and she had no interest in bowing before them or their appointed messenger.
“You are correct, princess. This is not a mere social call. I am here to assess you.”
“Assess me?” Vi repeated, shock seeping into the question. He would seek to assess her? More than her tutors already had? More than her parents every time they came? Every inch of her had been inspected and measured since birth. What more was there to assess?
“Yes, on behalf of the Senate.”
“What does the Senate want to assess me on?” Vi asked cautiously. More like, what did they think they had the right to assess her on? At least her tutors and parents had ground to stand on for placing her under scrutiny. The Senate was an extension of the people, but far below the crown.
“Your fitness to rule.” He had the audacity to smile as he said it. “The people and Senate question if one raised in the arms of our enemies could be fit to be a leader of all the Empire’s peoples. Especially before she returns home next spring.”
Vi didn’t know where to start. Correcting the idea that she had been raised in the arms of enemies? The notion that she needed to be tested at all? Ruling was her birthright—the one unquestioned element of her life.
Or perhaps she should start with the last and most important thing of all…
The fact that she would finally head South in the spring.
Chapter Four
Home, a place she never thought she’d see. A place she had given up on ever finding. Now dangled before her by the words of a stranger.
“Can you say that again?” Her voice had fallen to a whisper. She didn’t think she could muster anything louder if she tried. Everything felt fragile, as though the world itself might shatter if she spoke too loudly. The world likely wouldn’t, but the thin veneer of hope that now coated her heart certainly would.
“Come spring, or as soon as the passes thaw enough to get the military parade through, the Senate has declared for you to be returned to Solarin.”
It couldn’t be real. It wasn’t real. Without warning, suddenly, she would be reunited with her family.
“I…” Words completely failed her. Thoughts failed her. She’d fantasized so often about this moment that she should know exactly what her reaction was, and yet Vi froze completely.
Andru’s mouth quirked up into a smile that Vi couldn’t quite read. It was self-satisfied certainly, bordering on arrogant, slightly condescending perhaps. He must be relishing in rendering the princess speechless. Somehow, though, his blue eyes were kind. Leaving her conflicted about how she should react.
“Yes, princess?” Jax brought her back to the present.
“I am glad to be returning to the home of my forefathers at long last.” Vi turned to Jayme, and then Ellene. Her two friends and confidants had been oddly silent. She needed time to process everything that was happening, and she couldn’t rightly do that standing in the middle of the stable grounds. “Jayme, you have letters for me, I believe?”
“I do.” Jayme gave a bow of her head then turned, reaching for a familiar box at the top of the small pile that had been unloaded from the over-sized saddle bags of her mount. “This is for you, princess… And for you, Lord Wendyll… And I have a satchel for your tutors and staff.”
Vi gave a small noise of agreement and focused mostly on the small, lacquered white box. On its top was the imperial seal. Inside, packed between folds of blue velvet, were a series of small envelopes and parcels from her family.
“Let us head to my chambers, Jayme and Ellene. Martis should still be there; you can deliver the letters directly to him.” Vi took care to properly enunciate her words for Andru’s benefit, drawing each one out, as was customary for nobility—especially Southern nobility. “Uncle, can you kindly work with the staff and see that Andru is settled in to suitable chambers for the duration of his stay?”
“It seems Andru is not the only one who will need chambers for a longer stay.” Jax lowered a letter he’d been skimming; Vi recognized her mother’s script. His eyes went directly to Jayme. “You have had a promotion.”
Jayme folded her hands before her, head bowed slightly. It was a position Vi had seen often. Spending time in the company of the Crown Princess could be difficult for a woman who didn’t really enjoy being the center of attention.
“What is this?” Ellene finally spoke up. It was unusual for the girl to be so quiet, and the fact only emphasized how much Andru’s sheer presence could change their dynamic. “A promotion?”
“I’ve been appointed as a royal guard.” She raised her head, looking directly at Vi. “Your royal guard, to be specific. I will oversee your protection and guard detail, if you’ll have it.”
Vi could practically explode with excitement and she struggled to keep her face passive and manicured, especially in front of Andru. “Of course I’ll have it. You have been a loyal courier of mine for years; we all know that you can gracefully endure my various quirks.”
“You’re too hard on yourself.” Jayme gave a small smile.
“No, that’s about right,” Ellene muttered, finally breaking from decorum. Vi successfully fought a grin.
“You will be staying as well then? You will not be going home this winter?”
She shook her head. “I’ll be here until the Imperial parade comes to collect you this spring… and then after that also, naturally.”
Imperial Parade comes to collect you this spring. The words rang in Vi’s ears. She’d never heard something so wonderful and yet so hard to comprehend. There was some kind of disconnect. A wave of familiarity came over her, as though she was living a moment she’d dreamed thousands of times.
Likely, because she was.
Vi felt dizzy all over again. She shifted the grip on her box. It only contained letters but they were as heavy as a powder keg. Depending on what was written in them, it might be just as explosive. Vi could only imagine what her brother had to say about the newest development Andru revealed.
“I will be assessing Jayme as well.” There was that terrible word again from Andru’s lips. Assessing. “It’s quite a strange affair to see a common-born courier appointed to soldier so yo
ung. By the Empress Vhalla Solaris herself, no less.”
“Jayme is no mere courier,” Vi said defensively.
“She must not be, given the circumstances.” Andru looked away and then dragged his eyes back to Vi. She fought the urge to squirm under his gaze. The man made her downright uncomfortable. “The Senate wants to make sure you are properly protected, your highness.”
“I have the utmost faith in Jayme.” Vi left no room for debate in the statement. She didn’t like people questioning the merits of her friends—Vi had few enough, and she wanted to keep the ones she did have. “If she feels fit for the job, then I’m certain she is.”
I’m. Vi caught her slip too late. I am. Judging from the slight widening of Andru’s eyes, he hadn’t missed it. She hastily continued speaking, as if that could cover it.
“Now, if you will please excuse us. Jayme has letters to deliver to Martis.”
“Yes, of course.” Andru gave another bow of his head. “I shall find my quarters and then yours.”
“Pardon?” Vi stopped mid step, half turned away. “A little bold, is it not? Inviting yourself to the Crown Princess’s chambers?”
“For your lessons,” he clarified.
“Of course…” Vi gave him one last, long look, trying to uncover whatever secrets he was hiding. But the man was a closed book.
It was a good thing books of all kinds were Vi’s specialty.
The moment the door to her bedroom closed and they were alone, Vi put the box on her bedside table and threw her arms tightly around Jayme’s shoulders.
“You are the best birthday present a girl could ask for.”
“It’s good to see you too.” Jayme gave Vi a small pat on the back. “While it wasn’t intended, I’m glad I could make it by your birthday. Honestly, I didn’t know if I was going to make it at all before the new year.”
“Really?” Vi pulled away, looking into the familiar set of hazel eyes she hadn’t seen for over two months. “The passages are that bad this year?”
“Worse than ever.” Jayme gave a small nod and paused to give Ellene a tight hug next. “Winter came early, and in a bad way. The passes are becoming too treacherous for even the largest warstriders trained in ice and snow.”
“Well, I’m glad you made it safely.”
“I always do my best to deliver you a taste of home.”
“Yes, speaking of…” Vi looked from the box to her friend. Her head was spinning. Vi pulled her hair over her shoulder and fussed with the ends of her braids, giving her fingers something to do.
“What’s happening there? An Imperial Parade? Spring? Andru?” Ellene asked in Vi’s stead, as if sensing her tension.
“There’s a lot going on at the capital,” Jayme affirmed. “I’m sure your letters detail it better than I could.”
“Give me the quick summary. I may not have time to read them all before my lesson,” Vi urged, impatient. “You always have the best pieces of news that no one else writes about.” No one but her brother. Romulin rarely spared details, one of many reasons why she went for his letters first.
“You’ve heard the quick summary already…” Jayme ultimately obliged her. “The Senate is determined to bring you back South, no more delays or excuses.”
Finally. “What made them suddenly demand it?”
“A number of things, based on what I heard. But remember, I was only there for a week or so to deliver and collect replies. I’m hardly embroiled in it.” Jayme began to pace as she spoke.
“I know your usual disclaimers.” Vi sat on the bed, pulling her legs up to sit in a crossed position. “I want to hear what you saw, what you think. I value your counsel.”
Jayme stopped, gave Vi a small smile, and then began pacing once more. The tiny expression of gratitude at Vi’s flattery instantly faded away as Jayme’s tone became serious. “The White Death has become much, much worse—that’s a good place to start.”
“The plague? There hasn’t been a single case of it here in Soricium still.” Which was on the list of the many reasons why it had been argued that Vi should stay in the North.
“Soricium no, but—”
“It’s in Shaldan now—to the southwest border,” Ellene finished for Jayme.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Vi looked to Ellene.
“My mother only told me recently… and you know I don’t like speaking about the White Death.”
The last Chieftain of the North, Ellene’s grandmother, had died not more than three years ago of the White Death, after heading West to Norin at the request of the Empress and Lady of the West. She’d gone to see if the strange yet powerful magic of Yargen could be of any help to the efforts to find a cure.
“Not to linger…” Jayme continued with an apologetic look toward Ellene. “But with the knowledge of the disease being here, the argument of keeping you here to protect you has vanished. In addition, your father set out shortly before I did for the Crescent Continent. I think the Senate wants to see you back with your father gone. I think they may feel nervous having neither the Emperor nor heir near them.”
“What?” Vi breathed. “My father left?”
“I’m certain he wrote about it.” Jayme stopped her pacing. “They say a cure for the plague may be found there.”
“So they still are at a loss for how to treat it,” Vi muttered. She turned to her box, plucking it off her nightstand. “Thank you, Jayme. I want to catch up further, but I think you were right and I should read my letters.”
“Don’t be too shocked that I was right,” Jayme remarked dryly.
Vi gave a snort of amusement, eyes flicking up. “How I’ve missed that wit of yours.”
“Careful, you may get more than—” before Jayme could say anything further, her head jerked toward the heavy wooden door. Vi’s followed as the sounds of movement and muffled voices grew on the other side.
“That must be Andru arriving with your tutors,” Jayme whispered.
“Aren’t they noisy?” Ellene frowned. “He comes in here like he owns the place.”
“He has that air about him. Well, I don’t know… Something is off…” Jayme’s frown deepened. She sat quickly on the edge of Vi’s bed, leaning in. There was a tension that hadn’t been in her actions before, not even when she was talking about the plague. “Listen, Vi. You need to be careful about him. I was with him for over two weeks on the road and have barely learned more than his pedigree. But I can tell you this: the Head of Senate, Lord Tomson, will do you no favors. Tomson is vocal about his concern for you taking the throne, and in the wake of the White Death worsening, the people are getting desperate… desperate enough to listen.”
“What are you saying?” Vi whispered back. Her mind had already connected the dots, but she didn’t want to see the words the lines spelled out. She’d do anything to ignore them.
“I’m saying that some say the crown may no longer be needed. That the Senate can represent the people alone.”
“What?” Vi hissed. “They have no right.”
“They don’t. They don’t, alone. But if they make the people believe the future of the crown is unstable—if you are unstable—then…” Jayme paused, letting the rest go unsaid. “The people are a powerful force if they unite behind a banner, and getting Andru on your side may be the only thing that could prevent such a tide from rising.”
“I don’t…” She didn’t understand? No, that wasn’t it. Vi understood perfectly, so perfectly that it was agonizing. She didn’t want to understand.
“Read your letters, and look for any advice on the political climate. There won’t be mention of Andru in there; the Senate practically ambushed me with him at the last minute after the letters were written. I’m going off the rumors of the people, which are always to be taken with a grain of salt. You may be able to derive better insights than I. But I do know that nothing good will come if you lead Andru to believe you’re anything other than the perfect princess the Senate wants.”
Perfect princesses
didn’t speak back to their tutors, or fantasize about running off at the first possible opportunity. Nor did they debate strong opinions about the senate as Vi so often had. Every one of her teachers had been hand-appointed by the Senate. How could she have been so reckless as to feel comfortable?
A cold chill tingled down Vi’s spine. She felt as though she was about to be sick.
Unfortunately for Vi, she’d have to shove aside the queasy feeling, as a knock on the door brought their conversation to a close.
“Princess?” Martis asked through the door.
“Enter.” Vi stood, in the same motion opening her box and selecting a letter at random. The seal was broken and parchment unfurled by the moment the door was opened in full, revealing her tutors—Martis, Callope, Fredrik—along with Jax and Andru. Jayme was off the bed, standing two steps away, rigid. Ellene leaned against the wall by the bathroom door.
“I do believe it’s time for your lesson. We have much to go over,” Martis said.
“Yes, of course.” Vi made a show of rolling up the parchment as though she’d been engrossed in its contents. “I was trying to get a head start on reading through my correspondence.”
“There will be plenty of time for that.” Andru’s eyes met hers. Ice blue, Vi decided, his eyes were ice blue and void of all warmth. “You shall have all winter, before the Imperial Parade arrives, and there will be no more letters in or out until then.”
No more letters meant that whatever information her box, and Jayme, contained was all Vi had to work with. She would get no advice from her brother, and no insights from her parents. Vi pressed her lips into a thin smile, trying to use the expression to conceal the pain that heavy stone was still inflicting in her stomach.
“You are very right.” Vi closed her box, standing as straight as possible. Panicking didn’t change her situation. She would keep herself together, and learn all she could. Vi had been groomed from birth to play the games of nobility. She smiled at each of them, the expression of a perfect princess, even when worry threatened to burn her alive. “Well then, shall we begin?”