Page 31 of A Blaze of Fire
I shrugged. “Collect taxes and stuff.”
He shook his head. “A lot can happen on the road. Thieves are the least of our worries. There are far darker creatures than the ones who covet coins.”
I brushed off his ominous words. “Well … you’ll be there to protect me. Come on! It’ll be fun!”
Alec stared into my eyes for longer than I felt comfortable, but I refused to look away. After a moment, his gaze softened and he nodded.
“Yes!” I yelled. “I knew you’d cave!”
“Oh, whatever,” he groused. “Let me break the news to my brother. Just … stay put. I’ll have dinner delivered to you. Get some rest. Kazimir plans to leave before sunrise.”
14
VIOLET
After Alec left, I started packing a bag, even though I had no clue what we were doing or how long we’d be on the road. I settled on bringing enough clothes to last a week. Any longer and I could always wash and rotate. Rosemary helped me so I didn’t feel completely useless.
“I’ll make sure this gets to the correct wagon,” she said as she took my duffle bag full of clothes and toiletries from me.
“Are you sure I won’t need anything else?” I asked, hoping I hadn’t missed anything.
Rosemary smiled, her big eyes blinking twice. “No, Lady Violet. You’ve packed more than enough, I’m sure. Kazimir’s trips usually don’t last more than a week.”
I nodded and sighed. “Okay, so I won’t be gone for long.”
She shook her head. “No, you won’t.” A knock came at my door and we both turned in its direction. “Oh, that must be your dinner.” Rosemary set my duffle down and went towards the door. She opened it with a gasp, then nudged it wider so I could see who it was.
Standing at the threshold was Ansel, with Rook standing beside him. My eyes were like saucers at Ansel’s audacity to waltz straight to my bedroom in front of everyone.
“I had to come see you before you left,” he said aloud.
Rosemary peered back at me uncertainly and then grabbed my duffle bag. “I’ll leave you two alone, Lady Violet,” she said as she excused herself.
“Lady Violet?” Rook gave me a pointed look, asking if I wanted him to be my chaperone.
I nodded. “It’s okay.” I waved Ansel inside and shut the door. Once we were alone, Ansel tentatively stepped closer to me.
“I’m sorry; I know this is against the rules we set, but I just spoke to Alec and he told me you’re leaving tomorrow,” he said by way of explanation. “And I … I just couldn’t let you leave without seeing you.”
“I understand,” I whispered. “It’s a little crazy, but I understand.”
Ansel rushed toward me and took my hands in his. “Do you really have to go?” he asked softly.
When I peered up into his sad green eyes, my steel resolve unraveled. I rested my forehead on his chest and sighed. “I’m sorry, Ansel … I’m really sorry.”
“It’s dangerous, Vi.”
“I know.”
“Then why do it?” He pulled away so suddenly I stumbled. “Why put yourself at risk?”
“I’m at risk anywhere and everywhere, Ansel. At least now I have my freedom and I’m not running from assassins.”
“Are you really free, though?” He raised a skeptical brow. “You’re under the King’s thumb, no matter where you go.”
I shrugged and tried to feign indifference, even though I chafed at the confines of my situation. “But it’s my choice.”
His hands slid up my arms and slowly up my neck to cup my face. “If I’d given you the same option Alec gave you, would you have taken it?”
