“There you are,” he said gruffly. “I have the horses waiting.”
The old widow came bustling back into the kitchen, a pack clutched in her hands. “Here.” She thrust it at me. “Here are some provisions just in case, but you should reach Caera before nightfall.”
I thanked the widow as did Wolfe, before Wolfe gestured to the doorway. His eyes had hardened. “Ladies first.”
My instinct (call it years of disliking him) was to be peeved with him, but even I realised that I had been the one to wrong him. So I pinched my mouth closed and headed past him.
“Be patient,” I heard the old woman say and Wolfe grunted. I glanced back with a little furrow between my brows as the two shared a look – her amused, his exasperated. Curious, I threw him a questioning look and then quickly whipped back around at his ferocious glare.
It was going to be a long ride to Caera.
***
We rode the horses hard to Caera. With the two of us angry at me, I felt emotionally and physically exhausted when we reached the city. I almost wept with relief as we crossed the beautifully sculpted bridge over the River Cael and into the gates of Caera. I had never been to Caera before but I’d heard about the bridge. It was wide enough for horses and carts to pass one another and was made of thick, sturdy stone, polished to brilliance. On either side were walls made of the same stone that reached Wolfe’s shoulders in height. Massive stone statues stood guard at either entrance – two ethereal looking female mage at the entrance and two powerful male mage at the exit. Some say it was Vojvodkyna Winter’s sense of humour: Caera was a woman’s world and the rest of Phaedra was mans. Statues of winged creatures beckoned from the walls of the bridge and I stared wide-eyed. How much money had Winter put into this bridge? It was beautiful… but wasn’t it a waste? I was sure Jarvis would think so.
As soon as we were inside the city walls, I felt Wolfe’s urgency to get to the Guard as much as my own. We hurried through the thronging masses as they hurried to and fro. The marketplace in Daeronia would be busy; they didn’t have anything to export except beer and coal, so much of the business was in import. I had to admit as I followed Wolfe out of the main streets to quieter cobbled ones, I was impressed by the Vojvodkyna’s white stone city. It really was spectacularly beautiful. Much like her Grace. I winced, suddenly remembering we were heading to the home of Wolfe’s ex-lover. I gulped.
That wouldn’t be awkward at all.
Unlike the other wealthy districts of Phaedra, the Radiant District was a walled district with a gatekeeper. When Wolfe explained who we were, one of the soldiers disappeared behind the carved wooden doors keeping us out. Wolfe glared his disapproval at the three other guards who tried desperately not to shift their feet uncomfortably. I almost sympathised with them. I knew how stinging that glare could be.
“Captain!”
We both turned at the sound of Lieutenant Chaeron’s voice as he came through the gates, directing the guard to open them so we could trot through.
“It’s good to see you, Lieutenant.” Wolfe nodded down at him. Chaeron nodded back. Men were such funny things.
I smiled brightly at Chaeron. “Lieutenant. So good to see you.”
“You too, Miss Rogan.” He looked up at me with concern as he walked by my horse. “I do hope you are well, Miss Rogan.”
Realising he was genuinely distressed that I had been taken whilst under his protection, I sought to reassure him, “Of course, Lieutenant. Captain Wolfe and I looked out for one another.”
We both ignored the grunt from the said Captain’s direction.
“The Vojvodkyna has a suite waiting for you. She realises how exhausted you must be and has given you leave to retreat to your room.”
Given me leave? I wanted to snort at that. I was going to my bloody room, leave or not. I didn’t say that though. That would make me sound jealous. And I wasn’t. Not a bit. “How kind of her.”
Some of the guard were waiting outside of Vojvodkyna Winter’s spectacular stone white mansion that was a surprisingly small replica of the Silverian Palace. Hmm. I raised an eyebrow but kept quiet. I wouldn’t have been able to comment, even if I had wanted to. The soldiers circled me and Wolfe, peppering us with questions, anxiety, remorse, until Wolfe actually took pity on me and ordered his men aside so I could go inside.
“Lady Rogan,” Wolfe called to me as I walked away. I stiffened at hearing him so formal but I told myself it was only because we were among the men again. I turned slightly, face expressionless.
“Yes, Captain?”
“I would prefer if we stayed here for a few days instead of one. To regain our strength.”
I returned his nod with a brittle one of my own. I could understand the wisdom in the suggestion, despite my desperate need to get to Alvernia… except I wondered if it was just wisdom on Wolfe’s part or if he wanted some extra time with the beautiful Vojvodkyna. Shaking off the strange pang of pain I felt, I followed Lieutenant Chaeron who introduced me to the butler, a beautiful older woman; her auburn hair was tied back in a fierce knot, streaks of silver darting through it in the sides. I was surprised that Winter had such an attractive butler, thinking perhaps her vain enough to want to be the prettiest woman in her home. But when the butler called for two maid servants to help me to my room, I came to a better understanding. The two maids were stunning young creatures, their auburn hair and wide blue eyes a striking counterpart to their dark work clothes. Then again, even their work clothes were the finest I had seen. It was then I realised something obvious: Vojvodkyna Winter Rada was obsessed with beauty. And so far the servants resembled her in colouring. It was a strange to say the least, and I wasn’t just being snotty because of her history with Wolfe; I found it a little narcissistic. Not a little. A lot. As I followed the stunning little creatures to a lovely bedroom suite where a bath already awaited me as well as tray of food, I snorted at the maids’ beauty. The Royal Guard must be in haven here.
***
It was a wonderful sleep. Comfortable. Warm. Luxurious even. I did dream of Haydyn again, but I had given in to the idea that until I saved her, she was going to be a regular visitor in my subconscious. The next morning I awoke to a maid setting a tray over my lap. She informed me I had missed breakfast, but that once I was refreshed I was invited to join the Vojvodkyna in her parlour for tea. Not particularly looking forward to that I made an agreeable noise from the back of my throat before tearing into my toast in frustration. The maid stared at me a little wide-eyed, probably unaccustomed to a lady taking her anger out on harmless toasted bread, before giving me a tremulous smile. She bustled around the room, laying out a dress for me from the luggage the Royal Guard had kept safe. I nearly sighed happily. It would be nice to wear clean clothes.
***
I followed another pretty maid to a room with white double doors edged in gold. A handsome footman with burnished brown hair and pale blue eyes pulled the door open for me and I swept inside, my gaze going back to the footman who was strangely familiar.
“I see Arnaud has captured your attention,” a husky voice curled around me, drawing my gaze in its direction.
Immediately my spirits depressed. I forgot the impact of Winter’s beauty. Contrary to her name, Winter was more autumn in colouring. Striking auburn hair, wide cobalt eyes and fine features. Her pale skin was the only thing about her that could be considered winterish. No wonder Wolfe had wanted this woman. Which really made me wonder what an earth he found appealing in me. She was all sunny autumn morning and I was all… thunderclouds and rain with my black hair and dark eyes. Wolfe-
Wolfe! I turned around again to stare at the footman but he was gone, the door closed behind him. The footman had Wolfe’s colouring! My gut twisted and my jaw clenched.
“He’s rather delicious isn’t he?” Winter laughed, a throaty laugh meant for seducing boys and men.
I frowned at her, my thoughts taken over by Wolfe. Then I realised she meant Arnaud and I replied with a half-smile, “Very.”
Winter drew to her feet quickly, her white dress as stunning as a ball gown, the neckline cut low, the waist cinched so everyone could see how tiny it was. I smoothed the plain gown I wore, wondering why on earth I was letting the obvious differences between us bother me. I had never cared before.
“Come, sit down, you look exhausted.” Winter clasped my hand gently and led me to the armchair. I took a seat slowly, surprised by the genuine concern on her face as she eyed the bruise that was now fading on my cheek. “You’ve been through such an ordeal. The Vikomt Stovia told me all about your abduction by rookery gang members.” She shook her head in disgust. “I had heard of this so-called rookery in Vasteryan Borders but to actually face the reality of it. You’re very brave, Lady Rogan. You are to be commended for handling it so well.”
I smiled in spite of myself. “Thank you, your Grace.” Wolfe hadn’t told Winter about the gypsies. He’d only told her a half truth, a truth she was already aware of. Good. We were sticking to the plan. Not panicking anyone with the growing unrest in Phaedra.
“Tea?” Winter asked.
I nodded, feeling tongue-tied. I really didn’t know what to say to this vivacious creature. Haydyn was always so good at talking to the Rada. I winced. Then again, Haydyn was as beautiful as Winter; perhaps more so.
“Arabelle.” Winter waved a dainty hand to the maid in the corner and the girl came forward at a graceful float. She had her servants as well trained as debutantes.
Once tea was sorted, Arabelle was dismissed and Winter relaxed more into the settee. “I do hope you slept well last night, Lady Rogan; I gathered you might need the rest.”
“I did.” I actually smiled at the thought of the luxurious bed upstairs. “Thank you, your Grace, for your hospitality. It feels like sun after a very long bout of rain.”
Pleased with my poetic thanks, Winter hurried on to pepper me with more questions about my wellbeing until I began to feel guilty for judging her so harshly. She didn’t seem like a shallow socialite at all. In fact, if I remember correctly, Haydyn had told me she liked the Vojvodkyna. She said Winter was smart and opinionated and cared not who knew it; the kind of woman I might have called friend…
Just as we were discussing Haydyn’s plans to hold a ball next season in the hopes of addressing some Phaedrian issues, a knock sounded at the door and Wolfe came striding in. He looked like his old self again. At the sight of him my heart did a little thump thump I bitterly ignored.
“Vikomt!” Winter rose to her feet, her eyes alight with happiness at the sight of Wolfe. His returning smile was wide and brilliant and he bowed over her hand slowly, pressing an intimate kiss to the corner of her wrist. I felt a painful twist in my chest. Seeing them together, as they turned to me, I realised just how handsome they looked. How right. Winter was a little older than Wolfe, but with his maturity and sense of responsibility the age difference seemed inconsequential.
“My Lady.” Wolfe nodded at me, expression blank, eyes indifferent. I felt like scowling at him in outrage. Instead, I nodded back as if I were unaffected by the difference in temperature of his greetings to the Vojvodkyna and I.
“Oh, my Lord, it is lovely to have you to tea,” Winter said to him in that husky undertone, leading him to the settee to sit closely by her.
I did not think it was deliberate, but now Wolfe was in the room nothing else existed for Winter, and she huddled into him, availing him of her recent deal with a factory owner in Raphizya that she swore would bring more income and work for the people of Caera. Wolfe listened aptly, his eyes never leaving her, drinking in the vivid, intelligent woman’s proximity. I felt completely cut out, and the longer they sat talking, the more irrationally angry and hurt I grew. I felt as if a small creature was gnawing on my ribs. I was jealous. Hatefully, painfully jealous, and there was nothing I could do about it. If only there was some way I could not be attracted to him. I mulled over this for a moment. There was Haydyn. Once Raj administered the cure and she was well and back to full strength perhaps she could evoke feelings of disdain for me again. I chewed on the idea for a bit before dismissing it. No. Haydyn needed all her strength for the peace evocation. Well that was that then. I just had to avoid Wolfe at all costs.
“Well.” I stood slowly, smiling brightly, falsely down at them. “Thank you for tea, your Grace, but I promised Lieutenant Chaeron I would meet with him.”
“Oh, of course.” Winter smiled happily at me.
“Good day, your Grace. Captain.” I managed to meet his eyes before hurrying past them.
“Lady Rogan, wait,” Wolfe called out in clipped, demanding tones.
Not wanting to respond but knowing it would prove to him how annoyed I was by his attitude with me, I spun slowly and raised a condescending eyebrow at him like I used to. “Yes?”
“Where are you going?” He demanded.
“I just told you,” I snapped.
Winter raised an eyebrow at my apparent display of anger and Wolfe narrowed his eyes at me. And then as I looked at them pressed together on the settee I realised I was angry. Just two nights before, Wolfe had been kissing me. Me! Now he was romancing his old lover under my nose! Arrggh! I had been correct to walk away. Correct! I had been nothing but an amusement. And Wolfe had been nothing but another Jarek.
“I don’t remember any such plans,” Wolfe snapped back.
“I want Lieutenant Chaeron to train me. With a sword. Considering what happened. You yourself said it wasn’t a bad idea.”
He frowned. “It’s not. But I’ll train you.”
The thought of him putting his arms around me made me quail in fear. Not because I was frightened of him. But because I was frightened of myself.