“Good,” Luna said. “Remember that. Take action with that in mind. I must return to the Aetheric to search for that thread. Be careful until I return.” And then she disappeared.
Eight
The prince had arrived at the Western Gate in carriages of gleaming silver drawn by magnificent stallions. The wooden carriage that awaited us in the western market, where we’d make our departure to Vhrania, was hitched to a pair of dark draft horses, their feet stomping impatiently.
A soldier perched on the narrow bench in front, reins in hand and a wide woven hat shielding her face from the sun. She tilted the edge of the hat, revealing pale skin, dark eyes, and long dark hair in a braid that reached nearly halfway down her back. She looked at Wren, then me, then lowered the hat again.
“It’s not a silver carriage,” said a voice behind us. “But it should work.”
We turned back. Nik and Galen came toward us. They wore different uniforms today. All black again, but this time with short-collared jackets with columns of silver buttons and a hem that hit midthigh. Fancier garb than their usual uniforms, maybe because we were visiting another country on behalf of the prince. Their dark and shiny boots made me instantlyenvious. I bet I could walk from one end of the stronghold to the other and not feel so much as a single poking stone.
Galen and another soldier led two more horses, lighter in color and a little smaller than those hitched to the carriage.
“The bribe also worked,” I said. “You’ve bought at least a day of Lys’Careth loyalty from the Lady.”
“And what about you?” Nik asked, his gaze moving between me and Wren. “Are you feeling loyal?”
“I’m feeling the desire to see the border and a caravanserai,” I said.
Wren crossed her arms. “I’m feeling like I want Fox and me to survive the trip. You two are optional.”
“There are three of us,” said the woman with the reins, impatience tightening her voice. “And we’ve got a journey ahead of us. We need to go.”
“That’s Yue,” Nik said. “Yue, this is Fox and Wren. Yue’s weakness is remarkable impatience.”
“Efficiency is a valuable skill,” Yue said blandly. “Which is how I’d like to proceed right now. Efficiently.”
“We’re wrapping up,” Nik said, and glanced at Wren as Galen mounted one of the horses. “Do you prefer carriage or horse?”
“Horse,” she said without hesitation.
“You’re going to leave me with him?” What the hell was I going to talk about with an imperial bodyguard the entire time?
“I can hear you,” Nik said mildly.
“I know. Hush.”
His eyes widened in surprise. Probably not often a soldier was told to quiet down.
“I don’t get this chance often,” Wren said, and the excitement in her eyes melted my irritation.
“Fine,” I muttered. “But you’ll have to deal with Galen.”
“I plan on ignoring him completely. Be careful.” That was a request and a warning, and she held out her thumb to seal the deal. I pressed my thumb to hers, and she strode to the horse, took the reins from the soldier, and mounted it with acrobatic ease. Her back was straight, her chin high like a queen. She’d learned to ride as a child, and apparently she remembered the skill despite the lack of opportunity to practice.
Galen stared at her in shock. Which was extremely satisfying.
“It appears she can handle herself,” Nik said. “Into the carriage, Fox, so we can get your misery underway.”
He pulled down a short ladder that led to the carriage’s driving board, where a small curtain covered the narrow doorway into the carriage.
I guess we were doing this.
I climbed up and inside. The walls were painted a creamy golden yellow, and there were benches on the back and sides topped with dark blue cushions. Above them, wooden shutters could be opened for air or visibility. It probably wasn’t as nice as the prince’s carriage, but it was much nicer than the room we slept in.
I took a seat on the right bench and tested it. Softer and less lumpy than my mattress.
Nik took a seat on the back bench. “First time in a carriage?”
