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This ti look but I was too upset to apologise "There’s uard dealing with gypsies-"

"The Caels?" Haydyn interrupted frowning "But the Caels have lived in Northern Javinia for decades It’s their hoypsies are not looking for peace They’ve already begun taking land from the Caels, and now they’ve started in on the Javinians It’s causing tension between Javinians and the Caels, who are being held as accountable as the Iavii"

"That’s not fair!" Haydyn cried "The Caels are a peaceful clan"

"They are Were Nothing in Javinia is peaceful The Javinian guards are busy dealing with disputes and protecting Markiza Raven in Novia She calls for aid"

The nitude of the news silenced both Haydyn and I How quickly our beautiful world seemed to have turned in on itself

"You’re sure you’re well, Princezna?" Ava queried again

"Positive," Haydyn snapped, jolting out of her seat I watched on, as wide-eyed as Jarvis and Ava Haydyn never spoke harshly to anyone "I will not be questioned again"

"Of course, Princezna We ineda little "Nohat is to be done?"

You tell them, Haydyn, I wanted to say But I didn’t She already looked so lost and afraid

Jarvis sighed wearily "Well, I think before we panic, we should discover the realities of the situation for ourselves I say we send some of the Guard to Alvernia, Vasterya and Javinia to report back their findings, before we decide upon action"

Haydyn exhaled, seeestion She turned to look at Matai, who stood on guard at the door "Lord Matai, please have one of the footman fetch Captain Stovia"

I flinched at her coht of Wolfe Captain Wolfe Stovia Vikomt Wolfe Stovia, now that his father, Syracen, was dead A few years my senior, Wolfe had proven hi soldier He was one of the youngest Captains in the history of the Guard And I didn’t trust hi Wolfe strode into the rooerous As handsoirls went into twittering spasms whenever he was near It ht blue eyes washed over the roo on me a moment, his expression inscrutable I was so thankful he took his looks from his mother’s side of the fa version of Syracen stalking the palace halls Wolfe bowed deeply and smiled at Haydyn, almost flirtatiously "Princezna"

I rolled my eyes as Haydyn smiled prettily back at hily the way her eyes looked hily tall, broad, a thick head of silky chestnut hair, olive skin and beautiful al face, reatly

"Captain," Haydyn sighed at him "I need you to send some of the Guard on an errand for me"

I watched as Wolfe listened carefully to the news, his expression tightening as he learned of our situation "I will send nine of hness Three to each province"

"Thank you, Captain" Jarvis got to his feet wearily, helping Ava out of hers "We appreciate it"

As they were about to depart I cleared est we keep this between us? And stress the i this information confidential to your men… Captain," I bit out the word

Haydyn’s eyes widened "Of course, Rogan is right We don’t want to cause panic until we have all the facts"

Wolfe nodded, but he never took his eyes frolared at him as he took his leave, followed by Jarvis and Ava

Solemnly, Haydyn and I walked back to her suite, Matai close on our heels I was afraid tofor you to stop being unpleasant to Captain Wolfe" Haydyn threwtian, really," she clucked "He’s not his father, you know"

I shrugged I knew Haydyn thought it was unfair of me to treat Wolfe badly but I couldn’t help it He was a Stovia No ratiated himself to Haydyn or into the Rada’s trust, he would always be my enemy His father had taken my family and I had destroyed his in return I was suspicious of his loyalty to Haydyn, when any noreance for his father’s death

Haydyn did not share the suspicion She sighed dreamily "I don’t understand how you can be so hed softly at Matai’s choked grunt behind us and Haydyn threw hie for that We stopped at her suite and I checked the hallways both ways It was clear I nodded at the into her suite with hi her secrets Protecting her love for Lord Matai I felt a twinge of unfahter beyond the door Haydyn was akin to er sister, and yet she knew more of that mysterious intimacy between man and woman than I did All I ever wanted was to be a source of wisdom and support for Haydyn How could I be when she was more worldly than I? I was nineteen and un-kissed, neversilly and adolescent I did not seek love; I’d never wanted it… but romance… perhaps I shook my head I had no ti Haydyn with hers

Chapter Three

"M my eyes flutter shut in rapture "Cook, you’ve surpassed yourself," Iout pastry as servants bustled around us in the led fro to the corner of her an, the sweetest expression you ever have on your face is when you’re eating Cook’s desserts"

I raised an eyebrow teasingly at her cheekiness and reached across to swipe the last of the cakes frorab it back fro face to face rather than sitting across a long table, she would have taken it easily Valena may only be fourteen but she was extreood three inches taller than an" Valena’s eyes widened as I pretended to pop the cake into my mouth "Cook’s only"I swear it could be eight years ago with the way you act, Miss Rogan"

"Well I wouldn’t have to act that way if you made more than just a few cakes" I shoved the cake back to Valena,as she scoffed it down in seconds "Oh, you didn’t even take tie I should have eaten it"