by Kova, Elise
“Her blessing? Prince Romulin has said that you, as the Crown Princess, can do as you please.”
Vi couldn’t ever do as she pleased because she was the Crown Princess.
“Even a Crown Princess can show respect toward her host.” The quick response seemed to satisfy him. “Now, if you will excuse me, I am quite exhausted from the events of the day and I can only imagine you are as well, since you’ve been traveling for some time.”
“I am tired.” Andru looked out the door. But instead of leaving, he slowly closed it.
“Lord Andru, I am not sure what you think you are doing, but I do not think it is appropriate for you to be in my chambers, unescorted, at this hour.” Perhaps it was a test, Vi reasoned. Perhaps he was trying to see if she would object or if he could uncover some deeply romantic corner of her, looking for a moonlight tryst. If that were the case, he was about to be sorely disappointed.
“I realize. Forgive me, princess.” Andru took a step inside, and then another. There was something she disliked about how unhurried his movements were, combined with that shifty look of his. “But there is something I must tell you, alone.”
Vi stood her ground, straightening. She wasn’t going to take one step back. If this was an intimidation tactic, it wouldn’t work.
“We are alone. Tell me and then leave.”
“No, no, it’s not tell you.” He shook his head and finally stopped. One more step and he might have had his nose singed. “Give you.” Andru reached into the breast pocket of his coat.
Vi watched, admittedly curious, as he produced a rumpled envelope. It was worse for wear, but the seal—the Solaris seal—was still intact. Only four people in the world were permitted to seal their envelopes with that mark.
“It is from your brother,” he said stiffly, holding it out.
Vi looked between the letter and the man, trying to choose her next words carefully. “Why did it not arrive with Jayme?”
“The decision for me to come North was rather… last minute. There was not time for more letters to be added to Jayme’s satchel.”
The story linked up, but Vi still regarded the envelope with suspicion. Even so, she took it. Regardless of how he got it, the contents were from one of her family members, and that was worth more than gold.
“Thank you for bringing it.” Vi held it in both hands, flipping it over. There was no writing on the outside. Andru continued to hover. Her eyes flicked up to his and neither moved for a long second. “Is there anything else?”
“No, well, I—”
“You are dismissed, then.” Vi gave him a smile, trying to ease away the harshness from the statement. “As you agreed, it is improper for you to be here.”
“Yes… of course.” Andru took a step away and Vi felt like she could breathe that much easier. Andru paused one final time, door halfway open. Over his shoulder, he gave her a small smile, the long bangs of his otherwise short blond hair tossed to one side. “Do enjoy your hunt tomorrow, and be careful—we wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
Before she could respond, the door closed.
“Finally.” Vi all but ran into her bedroom. She pulled at the lacing of her dress, slipping it off and donning a simple nightgown.
Vi sunk onto the thinly woven blanket that covered her bed.
“Now, let’s see what’s really going on,” she mumbled, placing the white box next to her on the feather mattress. Opening the top, Vi fished out the envelope marked with a golden seal of a blazing sun—the imperial signet—and her brother’s handwriting in the corner marking “from Romulin.”
She glanced at the letter Andru had given her, but decided to start with her box first, and save that for last.
Dearest Sister,
I’m sure much of what I’m about to tell you is repetitive to mother and father’s letters and Jayme’s reports to you. If you find it annoying, I’d like to remind you of your previous request for me to tell you of everything in my own words.
A small smile crossed her lips. Her brother’s handwriting was not the tight, slanted script of her father’s, nor was it the wider loops of her mother’s, but somewhere in-between. Every time she read his letters, she tried to imagine a new voice for Romulin. It was a game she’d started playing as a child, and intentionally never asked anyone who knew her brother what he sounded like so that it would be a surprise when she did finally meet him.
The Senate has decided that you are to come home, that they can wait no longer, regardless of the plague and its spread. I think the final straw was word that there was evidence of it in the North. Or perhaps it was father’s departure and the feeling that they are in dire straits without their C. Princess here in their sights.
Regardless of the reason, Mother could not be more excited to see you again, even though she just left you a few months ago. Which, speaking of, thank you for the cookies you sent. Even though they were crushed somewhat in travel (despite Mother’s best efforts), they were quite curious indeed.
Vi closed her eyes, savoring the memory of her mother’s visit the past summer. It had been postponed later than usual due to winter lingering in the mountains. But that meant her mother stayed later, and Vi remembered every tangle and curl of her mother’s hair, the soft smell of fresh eucalyptus in the perfumes she wore.
When Vi reopened her eyes, they fell back to the words father’s departure, and prompted Vi to keep reading.
Mother was rather a force in demanding that the entire family be permitted to come and get you. It seems she’s finally had enough of “the Senate insisting on our separation”—her words, not mine. Though, I whole-heartedly endorse her on this. She all but made an Imperial decree on the matter. She wanted to come and get you sooner with a small contingent that could navigate the icy passes, but the Senate insisted on a full military parade—no doubt to show the North its might. They also reasoned the protection was necessary if I was to come as well. So concessions were made.
Sister, I advise you to steal the ear of the Chieftain sometime soon and warn her of this. Help her set her people’s expectations for when the army arrives. The Senate sees this as a display of strength and a necessary level of protection for the royal family being all in one place, but I worry it could strain relations.
There is enough political uncertainty right now around the White Death. The people are afraid, and a populous living in fear is an unstable one. You are possibly the singular thing that can unite the Empire, but you’ll need to play your cards right…
Vi read on, gaining as much insight as her brother could give her on the dance of politics. Several passages she had to read twice. The whole letter was nearly four pages, but not a single mention of Andru.
… and, with that, I leave you for now. This may be the last letter I ever write, since Jayme will be staying up there with you and the passages will be too frozen for safe travel in short order. No more letters will have a chance to go through before the passes thaw, and when they do I will be on them, heading to you.
Can you believe it? The last letter I will ever write you. I have only known you through the tip of a pen… and soon, I will speak to you. I imagine what you will sound like, what our conversations will be in person. I cannot wait to hear about how your birthday hunt went this year, or what mayhem you and Ellene made at the winter solstice festival.
Everything feels as though it is happening so fast, yet I cannot wait. Somehow, I already know you feel the same, my twin.
Until we meet, dear sister.
Romulin
At least it seemed fast for him. For Vi, she had lived her entire life waiting. She folded the letter and sought out her mother’s next, hoping for a little brightness.
Vi was not disappointed. Much like Romulin said, the missive contained words of love, excitement, and encouragement. Only Vhalla Solaris could pen a letter that was equally beautiful and sorrowful. She clutched the letter to her chest, as if it could ease the dull ache there.
One more important
letter remained: her father’s.
Both Romulin and Vhalla had mentioned her father’s departure, along with Jayme and Andru, and now Vi hoped that his own words would give more clarity on such a critical decision. Yet she found the letter painfully lacking. Judging from his penmanship, he’d clearly scribbled it in haste.
My darling daughter,
I did not want to miss the opportunity to both send you an almost ceremonial final letter in this last batch, as well as my apologies with it.
There is reason for me to believe that a cure for the plague sweeping across our lands is on the Crescent Continent. I must go and meet with their leaders, inquire as to this potential cure myself. It is imperative for our family, for our future together.
The leaders on the Crescent Continent refused to discuss it with anyone else and our situation—our personal need of it—has become dire. Please understand, had this not been the case, nothing would’ve taken me from this land so close to bringing you home.
Please forgive your father for not taking the time to come north and visit you before leaving. The urgency surrounding these matters cannot be expressed in a mere letter. But the sooner I depart from Norin, the sooner I can return and make everything clear.
I promise you, I shall be there with your mother and brother when the time comes to collect you. We will be one family soon enough.
With love,
Your father
“I understand, father,” Vi said with a thick throat. She’d spent her life being groomed to take his seat and assume the throne following him. Yet Vi couldn’t imagine what it was like to be an Emperor or Empress. To be simultaneously responsible for all the good and bad of the Empire.
To think that was a job some imagined the Senate to take from them, Vi thought bitterly. The more power they attempted to chip away from the crown, the greater their own responsibility. She’d heard it said that a heavy crown made a good ruler, but from where Vi sat, the Senate seemed to have necks far too thin to wear the sun crown—even if it were split among them.
Rubbing her eyes, making sure no rogue tears slipped from them as they were wont to do whenever she received her box of letters, Vi returned the envelope to sit with the rest. There were others among them, their wax seals telling Vi who was vying for the eyes of the Crown Princess. She recognized a few crests of court members; one senatorial seal was possibly noteworthy, but likely just another noble attempting to get in the good graces of the future Empress.
She placed the box on her bedside table and picked up the final letter she’d read for the night. Vi slid her finger under the seal and lifted. The flap opened and, just as Andru had said it would, her brother’s script greeted her.
V—
Forgive my brevity. I’m sure you’ll understand. I had to send something ahead and there’s no time.
Andru is more important than you could possibly know. Please, be on your best behavior.
R.
Vi flipped over the letter, looking for more, but there wasn’t any.
“What does that even mean?” she groaned, flopping back onto the bed. Vi gripped her pillow, rolling onto her side, clutching it.
Be on her best behavior. Be the perfect princess. Manage her magic that just so happened to show her strange visions of the future now, when normalcy was the watch-word.
She pressed her eyes closed and took a breath, stopping the spark before it set her bed sheets ablaze.
The only thing Vi wanted to think about was the freedom tomorrow would bring. One more sleep and then she’d be on the hunt—far away from everything—and would hopefully have a moment to herself to think.
Hopefully.
Chapter Six
“Wake up, sleepy princess!” Ellene declared, barging into Vi’s room.
She didn’t remember falling asleep and her letters were still strewn about her on top of the covers.
“Shouldn’t you knock?” Vi groaned.
“Not when the day is getting away from us.” Ellene threw open the window shutters and Vi yanked the covers over her head. “Come on, up, it’s time to go!”
“I need to check my pack a final time.” What Vi really wanted to say was that she needed five more minutes of sleep. She’d been up before dawn yesterday and was now up with the dawn today. Vi was not a morning person and this was testing her limits.
“I figured as much.” Ellene grinned. “It’s why I took the liberty of checking and packing it for you.”
Vi sat up at that, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “I don’t know if I should be grateful or frightened that you were in here rummaging around in my things while I slept.”
“It’s your fault for being such a heavy sleeper.” Ellene put her hands on her hips. “And I can’t tell if you’re offending my person or packing skills by that remark.”
“Both?”
“You wound me!” Ellene launched herself onto the bed, flopping heavily with a dramatic sigh. This was the Ellene Vi knew—someone caught somewhere between girl and woman still, and had all the best parts of both. Not the quiet observer she’d seen before Andru.
“Given that the last time we went hunting, I believe you forgot your bedroll…” Vi poked the girl’s nose.
“You like snuggling with me.” Ellene cuddled up to her for emphasis. “How could I deprive you of that joy?”
“The time before that, I believe you forgot rations.” Vi struggled to keep her face serious—it was a losing battle.
“You’re a good hunter. I was giving you incentive.” Ellene grinned.
“What about forgetting your—”
“You could just say thank you.” Ellene threw her hands in the air, raised up her legs, and half-jumped off the bed as quickly as she came.
Vi was quickly out of bed after her and throwing her arms around Ellene’s shoulders, hugging her tightly from behind. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sister.” Ellene squeezed her forearm before Vi let go. “I’m glad you’re still going out, given Andru and all the weirdness of yesterday—” Ellene still didn’t know the half of it, Vi realized. “I think you could use the distraction.”
“I really could.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“I want to grab one more thing…” Vi started for the door to her study. She realized her presents had distracted her from grabbing her journal yesterday morning.
“I already grabbed your journal. It’s at the top of your pack.”
“What?” Vi stopped in her tracks.
“See, now who’s not forgetful?” Ellene asked over her shoulder with a satisfied smirk.
“You’re tolerating my map-making? Is it my birthday?”
“I think it is, actually. Or, was.” Ellene paused in her doorway. Vi was briefly reminded of Andru and the thought woke her spark. She fought to keep it suppressed, not allowing it to run wild. She would not allow it to ruin this hunt with any outbursts or visions. “Now, get dressed and meet me down.”
Today was not the day for dresses or finery. Vi picked her softest leather leggings, pairing them with a fitted shirt that wouldn’t impede her movements. She dressed quickly and made her way down the wooden stairs and winding arches of the fortress.
Vi emerged from the main entrance to find Jayme and Ellene waiting with Jax, Sehra, and… unfortunately… Andru.
He’d said he wasn’t coming the night before. Vi balled her hands into fists, hoping he hadn’t been lying to her. He’d better hope he hadn’t been lying… The sight of only three packs—one at Ellene’s feet and one at Jayme’s, and the third having her bow attached, put the fear to rest.
Vi’s eyes drifted upward, landing at Jayme’s hip. There was something new strapped there—a sword. The hilt was done in gold and made to look like wheat. A properly Eastern design, seeing as they were the bread basket of the Empire.
“You really look like a proper soldier,” Vi said to Jayme, motioning toward the sword.
“Thank you.” Jayme gave the scabbard a pat.
&
nbsp; “Hopefully she functions as a proper soldier, too,” Andru remarked.
Vi’s gaze turned to him with slightly narrowed eyes. But Jayme beat her to the retort.
“I have practiced with it all my life. It’s been in my hands every time I return home and in the training grounds with the other soldiers when I’m in Solarin. I am more than confident.”
“And you were born to wear that blade.” Jax wore a small, tender smile as he looked between the sword and the woman who wore it. Whatever he was seeing, it wasn’t the rising tensions. Vi almost wanted to ask, but kept silent. Now wasn’t the time, and she was still guarding secrets from him.
“Born or not, she is to be your sole guard for this adventure,” Andru continued. “A curious choice.”
“Do you have something you would like to say about it?” Vi couldn’t stop herself from asking. The question was a little too direct, said too quickly. But she didn’t regret the words even after they’d left her.
“Certainly not. I am here to observe, note, and report. Nothing more. I leave any decision-making or judgment-passing to my betters in the Senate.” He smiled his full-lipped, toothy smile.
“You three need to take note not to go too far.” Sehra was the one to get the conversation back on track. “Lord Andru has stated truth; Jayme will be your sole guard for this excursion.”
“You’re actually letting us go unattended?” Vi asked skeptically. What kind of a test was this? They’d never been permitted to go on a hunt without at least one of the Chieftain’s warriors in tow—usually four or five.
“First, you are not unattended, you have the new captain of your personal royal guard,” Jax said sternly. “Second, do not make us regret this. If there is any danger, shoot fire into the sky.”