I fell back into my body…and moved a step away. It took a moment before I dared to look at Nik again and found his eyes dark and fathomless as a tempestuous sea. He ran a hand through his hair and put the other at his hip as he worked to regain control.
There was a different kind of movement in the room now. The Vhranians who’d been seated began to stand, to exchange embraces and share goodbyes. They’d decamp when the sky was still dark, the world still quiet, and would ride away beneath the glowing stars.
“You danced,” Savaadh said when we reached the group again. “I’m glad of it.”
“It looked like fun,” Nik said.
Savaadh shifted his gaze to me, and there was a knowing glint in his eye and a canny, crooked smile. “It has been a pleasure to meet you, Fox. I hope our paths cross again.”
“It’s been a very unique day,” I agreed. “Are your cousins still here? I’d like to say goodbye to them.”
“They’ve left to make preparations for our travel. Take this,” he said, taking a sheathed weapon from a servant who waited nearby and handing it to me.
The blade might have been covered, but the handle was unmistakable. It was the assassin’s windblade.
I’d already declined it once, and I knew that declining again, after he’d fed and wined us, would be ill-mannered.
“Thank you,” I said, and took it. It was lighter than I’d imagined, and I had no doubt Wren could make good use of it.
“I wish you a blessed journey,” Savaadh said, leaning forward to touch his forehead to mine. “And should you ever find yourself in need of a meal or a dance, you need only ask.”
Ten
When we made it back to the courtyard where the carriage and horses awaited, the sun was on its descent. Time inside the caravanserai had slipped past like a warm desert breeze. A good trick for travelers tired of the monotony of the flatlands—and who had coin to spend.
The carriage was ready and waiting, all the horses rested, and Yue back in her spot in front, hat tipped forward to shield her face.
“Ready,” she said.
I slipped the windblade to Wren as discreetly as possible. When she’d tucked it into her belt, she pulled out her small dagger and extended it.
“Even trade,” she said.
“I can’t take your knife.” It was one of the few possessions she’d brought into the Lady’s manor, and she’d taken great care with it since then.
“You gave me a new one. It’s not sentimental,” she added. “It’s just old. You remember what I taught you?”
I nodded. “Use it like an extension of my hand. Dodge when possible. Aim for soft parts.”
“Good. Don’t cut yourself with it.”
“Funny,” I said. “Have a good ride.”
“You, too. And this time, try to keep your hands off the prince’s guard.”
Damn it. The woman missed nothing.
I watched through the window as we left the caravanserai behind, its crenellations dark against the sky. It was the most of the world outside the stronghold I’d ever seen—of its people and places and things. Leaving it behind was more disappointing than I’d imagined it would be. Maybe if I concentrated hard enough, I could sear the images into my brain and, unlike so many other memories, never forget them.
I didn’t close the shutter again until the view became flat, pale land and blue sky and we’d passed beneath the border flags. And when I turned around, I found Nik gazing at me, arms crossed. Had he watched me the entire time, waiting for me to get my fill of the landscape?
“Why are you staring at me?” I asked.
“I was fascinated by your fascination.”
“Yes, I’m a very intriguing person. I’m skilled at scrubbing other people’s laundry. If I’m lucky, the water’s warm.”
“I don’t see you as a laundress.”
