by Jordan Rivet
They weren’t safe yet. The river was a furious beast, stronger than ever thanks to the storm. Aren could barely keep their bodies protected. He couldn’t escape the swollen current.
But they had a Blur on their side.
As they raced around a bend in the river, Emir came into view again. He had run downriver until he found a fallen tree sticking out above the swift-moving current, his supernatural speed giving him time to position himself.
He shimmied out onto the log as Jessamyn and Aren approached, borne along by the storm-fed waters.
“Grab my hand!” he called.
Aren kept his wits, despite the battering of the rapids. As he and the princess were carried beneath the jutting log, he thrust a hand up to grab Emir’s. They locked hands, fingers white and trembling and slick with river water.
Their grips held.
For a moment, the three of them hung suspended from the log, Emir fighting the pressure of the water, no doubt wishing for Muscle strength. Then he hauled Jessamyn and Aren out of the deadly current.
Free of the river at last, they scrambled along the log toward the riverbank. The rest of the group sprinted toward them, their feet skidding as they reached the bare patch of earth where the tree had fallen. They caught up as Emir helped Aren clamber down off the log, still holding the princess.
Jessamyn kept her arms wrapped tight around Aren’s neck until he knelt to set her on the ground beside a mess of muddy roots the fallen tree had pulled from the dirt. He checked her for injuries, his face close to hers, his movements gentle. She gazed back at him, wide brown eyes shining. They breathed in unison, gulping down air.
Mica paused a few paces from them, not wanting to interrupt. She marveled at the tenderness in the big man’s actions. Aren didn’t seem to notice Jessamyn’s disfigurement as he took off his lambskin coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.
He saved her.
Mica’s knees shook as she realized how close she had come to losing Jessamyn again.
She could have dr—
A wordless cry sounded behind her, and Mica turned to intercept Banner before he could throw himself at the princess and reveal who she really was.
“She’s okay,” Mica hissed into his ear. “Remember her name.”
“I know.” Banner pulled free of her grasp, his usual placid demeanor absent. “Are you all right, Myn?” He dropped down beside Jessamyn and Aren, elbowing the tall lord aside. “I feared the worst.”
“I’m just a little banged up.” Jessamyn pulled up the collar of Aren’s coat to obscure her face as the others gathered closer, anxiously inquiring about their welfare. “No broken bones, as far as I can tell.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Banner said.
While the Shield fussed over Jessamyn like an anxious lover, Aren’s guards moved in to check on him too. They didn’t look at all surprised that their lord had dived into harm’s way to save a commoner. They retrieved the picnic blankets from their saddlebags to wrap around the pair. Both Aren and Jessamyn had some scrapes and bruises, but the cold was the greatest danger now.
The rest of them were nearly as cold and wet, even though they hadn’t ended up in the river. Mica wrapped her arms around herself, shivering partly from the chill and partly from relief so intense it made her nauseous. Caleb looked a little green too. He caught Mica’s eye, and she saw the shame written on his face. On another day, he might have been able to help Jessamyn as Emir had, but his Talents were unpredictable. This time, they had failed him.
Mica sympathized, but she wished he wouldn’t wear his distress so plainly on his face. These people wouldn’t understand why Lord Caleb was so worried about one of the princess’s retainers. Mica wasn’t acting quite like she was supposed to either, for that matter.
She turned to her brother. “Thank you for your quick action, Soldier Grayson.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Emir said. “All in a day’s work for the Blur Elite.”
His steadiness helped Mica regain the concentration she needed for her impersonation. She summoned her Jessamyn voice, in control once more.
“Lord Aren!” she trilled. “You were marvelously brave. You two saved her life.”
“Anything for you, my princess,” Aren said. “I’m sorry I brought you all so close to danger.” He didn’t look up at her, too busy watching Banner help Jessamyn to her feet. The princess gave him a lopsided smile.
At that moment, Lady Wendel hurtled into their midst, her chest heaving and her hair wild around her face.
“Find us shelter, or take us home at once, Aren, before someone gets killed.” Her tone indicated she might kill Aren for bringing them out in the storm. She had taken a tumble in her rush to catch up, and mud covered every inch of her body. Emir blurred to her side and offered his arm. She clung to him gratefully, smearing his shirt with mud.
Aren knew better than to argue with his cousin. “There is a dry cave not far from here.”
They set out to retrieve their scattered horses, the guards and servants chattering animatedly about the incident. Mica still felt a little raw at what had almost happened. She might be tempted to make Jessamyn’s decisions sometimes, but she had no desire to take her place permanently.
She seized her chance to talk to Jessamyn after they found the last of the horses and set off into the forest. The princess had lost her wool scarf in the river. She still wore Aren’s lambskin coat with the collar turned up, but she was shaking like a scared puppy.
“Are you okay?” Mica said when she was sure no one could hear them. “I was so afraid you—”
“Of course I’m all right, Micathea,” Jessamyn said through chattering teeth. “Do you think I’m that clumsy? I knew someone would save me.”
“Huh?”
“I appreciate your enthusiasm for courting on my behalf,” Jessamyn said. “But you needn’t lure them in for romantic moments beneath every waterfall you see.”
“You . . . you didn’t jump in the river to stop him from kissing me, did you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jessamyn said airily. She flashed a triumphant grin over the collar of her borrowed coat. “I didn’t expect him to leap in to save me himself. I must say he has fleshed out nicely since I last saw him.”
She urged her horse ahead, a satisfied smile playing on her blue-tinged lips.
Mica stared after her, wondering if the poison had addled her brain as well as her face. She couldn’t be serious. Jessamyn might be conniving, but even she wouldn’t go that far.
Still, the princess had far too little regard for her own health and safety. That worried Mica.
On the other hand, Jessamyn must be more drawn to Lord Aren than she admitted. She had never objected to Mica engaging in romantic moments with any of the other lords who had courted her.
Maybe Jessamyn can have one thing she really wants when all this is over.
They left the river behind and rode beneath a dripping canopy. It was growing dark, except for the lightning forking through the clouds above the forest. Thunder shook the trees, and the smell of damp wool and horseflesh surrounded them. They were all soaked and bedraggled, and the sudden brush with disaster had left everyone with ragged nerves.
Tempers ran thin by the time they reached the mouth of a dark cave set into a tree-covered hillside.
“We can wait here until the storm passes,” Lord Aren called. “This cave is used as a hunting lodge. There should be dry wood for a fire inside.”
The servants cared for the horses and baggage while the nobles hurried toward the cave. Jessamyn got caught in the shuffle of activity around the horses, and one of the Pegasus guards barked at her to make herself useful. Her eyes flashed angrily, and she turned to give the man a piece of her mind. It was difficult to hear her tirade over the rumble of the storm, and the guard simply shoved a leftover bundle of food into her hands and told her to get to work.
Caleb paused to whisper in Mica’s ear. “I can’t believe
I didn’t realize it was you. You don’t complain nearly as much as Her Imperial Highness.”
“A little grunt work will be good for her,” Mica said.
“She’ll probably toss all our provisions in the river, just to spite us.”
Mica grinned up at him, feeling slightly giddy in the aftermath of everything that had happened today. Caleb smiled back, and for a brief moment, she imagined the way he had kissed her after the fight in the warehouse, as if it were a promise of things to come. His face grew serious, as though he sensed where her thoughts had turned, and he reached out to touch her hand.
Lord Aren appeared suddenly between them. “Allow me to escort you inside, Princess.” Aren was taller than Caleb, and he paid the other lord no mind as he claimed the princess’s attention.
“Thank you, my lord.” Mica took Aren’s arm, wincing at the disappointed expression flitting across Caleb’s face. Before she could say anything to him, Aren whisked her into the darkened cavern.
* * *
The cavern was dry and spacious, with a dirt floor packed down through regular use. The servants built a fire in a pit in the center, and they shared the last of the mutton sandwiches and ale as the thunder rumbled outside. Nobles and servants alike huddled together, with calls to “Break bread and drink ale!”
Aren sat beside Mica and regaled her with more tales of Pegasus Island life as they waited for the rain to stop. Mica wondered where he and Jessamyn would live if they got married. It was hard to picture the tall, rugged lord in the opulent halls of the Silver Palace. The princess was sure to be bored stiff at Lord Aren’s country estate, though.
It’s probably too soon to be planning her life with Aren. She could still choose Caleb.
Caleb and Jessamyn sat side by side now, talking quietly and occasionally laughing. It had been months since the two friends spent any time together. Caleb might have been upset that she didn’t tell him the truth, but it looked as though they had patched things up in the face of her near-death experience.
Mica tried to ignore the pair, returning her attention to her hosts.
“I hope we’ll have time to visit my parents’ estate,” Lady Wendel was saying. “We own the finest pastures on the island.”
“If the weather keeps up like this, I don’t think the journey would be wise,” Lord Aren said.
“Oh, now you want to be wise?” Wendel shook her head and leaned closer to Mica. “My cousin can be remarkably selfish sometimes.” There was no bite in Wendel’s words. She seemed to have forgiven Aren for the disastrous expedition to the waterfall now that they had a warm fire crackling between them.
“Remind me where your parents’ estate is, Lady Wendel,” Mica said.
“Greenfield Bay, on the western side of Pegasus,” Wendel said. “There’s a small port on the bay, primarily used for trade with Timbral. We export our sturdiest wool for their famous carpets, and they send us wine in return.”
“I’d wager the princess knows all this,” Aren said. “Princess Jessamyn knows more about the empire than anyone else I’ve ever met. Remember when you visited as a young girl, and I would quiz you on facts about the empire?”
Mica blanched. “Why yes, wasn’t that a fun game? I must get some fresh air.”
She leapt up before he could start testing her imperial knowledge. She had learned a lot over the past few months, but Jessamyn’s education was unmatched.
“Allow me to accomp—”
“No need, Lord Aren. Soldier Grayson can keep me safe for a few steps.”
Mica caught her brother’s eye, and he was at her side in an instant.
“Yes, my princess.”
“We won’t be a minute,” Mica said.
She strode to the cavern entrance, down the sloping floor that kept the rainwater from creeping inside. Her brother stayed a few steps behind her until they neared the curtain of rain falling outside, its noisy patter obscuring the sound of their footsteps.
Mica’s shoulders relaxed as soon as they were out of earshot of the others. She dropped down to sit on a rock, not bothering with a ladylike posture for once.
“I’ve got to say, Mica,” Emir said as he sat beside her, “I never knew you were such a good actress.”
Mica snorted. “Sure.”
“I’m serious. You’re really good.”
Emir stretched his boots out in front of them, and Mica imagined they were sitting in front of the fire in their parents’ house instead of watching the rain drench a foreign landscape.
“Getting the face right helps,” Mica said. “People accept mistakes and erratic behavior as long as they don’t suspect an Impersonator. The instant the suspicion enters their minds, it’s all over.”
“You and the princess seem to have a strong bond.”
“We do,” Mica said slowly. “She saved my life, and I . . . well, I’m trying to do my best to repay her.”
She remembered what Caleb had said that morning, that she was enabling Jessamyn to persist in this farce. Would it be better if she simply walked away, forcing Jessamyn to reveal the truth—and Ober to face the consequences? Doing the right thing was more complicated than she had thought while she was dreaming of daring adventures at school. But the imposter still lurked, and she couldn’t break away until she exposed them.
“And to think,” Emir said, “last time I saw you, all you wanted was to be an Obsidian spy.”
Mica picked at the lining of her damp wool cloak. “I still wouldn’t mind seeing Obsidian one day.”
“Well, make sure you stop by Stonefoss first. You’ve grown up so much, the family will hardly recognize you.”
Mica felt a sharp pang in her chest, and her own features flitted across her face. “I miss everybody so much—even Wills and Rees. What are they up to?”
“Causing the same trouble,” Emir said. “Breaking hearts, risking court martial.” He grinned. “Aden is getting pretty friendly with a certain Shield girl. I reckon they’ll get married. Mention it to the parents, and they act all severe about how he should focus on his next promotion, but they get weepy if you mention grandkids. Both of them.”
“Dad is going to be such a sappy grandpa.”
“Not going to argue with that.”
“What else?” Mica rested her elbows on her knees, feeling like a little girl hanging on her brother’s every word. “How’s everyone from our quarter?”
“The same, as far as I know,” Emir said. “I haven’t been in Stonefoss much lately.”
“Too busy with your Elite duties?”
“Something like that.” Emir glanced at the party silhouetted against the campfire and lowered his voice. “I spoke to Master Kiev at your Assignment Ceremony. As soon as I got home, my promotion was waiting for me.”
“Master Kiev?” Mica frowned at the non sequitur. Then she realized why he was telling her this. “You’re working for the Masters Council now!”
“Don’t need to shout about it.” Emir grinned proudly. “Turns out you’re not the only Gray offspring with dreams of serving the empire as something besides a pair of boots on the ground.”
“So you’re reporting directly to Master Kiev?”
“I’m observing for him, but he’s away.”
“What he’s doing? Is he still in Obsidian?”
Emir shrugged, and Mica tossed a small stone at him.
“Come on, you can tell me that.”
“I don’t know his exact location.”
“Fine. At least tell me what you’re supposed to be observing.”
“I really can’t say anything more,” Emir said. “But I figured since I know your secret, it’s only fair you know mine.”
“Thank you.”
In truth, Mica knew Emir could have only one mission if he’d been posted at the princess’s side. The council wanted to spy on Jessamyn herself. Lady Maren hadn’t said a word about it, despite her bond with the princess. Mica found that troubling.
“Emir,” she said slowly, “please don’t repo
rt what the princess and I are doing until she gives the okay. She’ll inform them herself when the time is right.”
“My duty—”
“Is to the empire first and foremost. I think that means we need to do what the emperor and future empress want, not the Council.”
Emir scratched the stubble on his chin. “Are you sure you haven’t got it the wrong way around?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’d say we owe a group that stands for the good of the empire more allegiance than the imperial family. They’ll always look out for the interests of the imperial family first and foremost.”
“Jessamyn isn’t like that,” Mica said. “She serves the empire first.”
“Are you sure?”
Mica hesitated. She didn’t like the implication that the agenda of the Masters Council, the imperial family, and the empire itself could be at odds. But she also couldn’t say with absolute certainty that Jessamyn and her father weren’t primarily focused on their own interests. What would she do if Jessamyn’s orders and the needs of the empire began to diverge?
“Jessamyn will tell everyone what happened to her after we catch the imposter,” Mica said. “And then I’m going to deal with a serious threat to the empire—one that affects Talents and puts everyone in danger. Could you at least wait to report this one secret until I have a chance to do that?”
Emir fell silent, considering the request. Mica fidgeted with her cloak. She admired her brother for the meticulous way he thought through his decisions, but she wished he would hurry up.
At last, he nodded. “All right, Mica. I’ll hold off on it. Master Kiev is hard to reach right now, anyway.”
“Thank you.” Mica glanced back at the circle around the fire. The echoes in the cave made it impossible to hear anything they were saying. “We’d better get back before Wendel starts a rumor about you and the princess.”
Emir chuckled. “She is remarkable, isn’t she?”
“Don’t even think about it.” Mica tried to smack Emir’s shoulder, but he dodged her easily. “She is way more trouble than you think. I doubt she’s any less demanding of her lovers than she is of her Impersonator.”