Wyneth shook her head. “I fear it is too soon.”
“I don’t believe so,” Aerity said. “It is right to mourn, but there is no shame when it’s time to move on. It doesn’t mean you won’t always love him and remember him.”
Wyneth ran a hand down her skirts, calming.
Caitrin came into the room and bumped into thedoorframe, spilling hot tea across her tray. She’d been jumpy that morning as well, dropping a stack of linens when she passed Aerity in the hallway.
“Seas alive,” Caitrin breathed. “I’m very sorry, Your Highness and Lady Wyneth. I’ll be back with more.”
“Caitrin!” Wyneth said with a funny look. “It was only a small spill. I’m sure there’s still plenty more in the pot.”
Caitrin hesitated before bustling forward and setting down the tray. Her hands shook as she wiped the spilled tea and poured cups for both girls. Once she’d served them and rushed away, Wyneth gave Aerity an amused look.
“What do you suppose has come over her?”
Aerity gave a stiff shrug. If Wyn knew, it would upset her.
They sipped their steaming tea in silence. It had been ages since Wyneth asked Aerity to the library. The princess used to accompany her cousin weekly to watch her draw. Those had been peaceful days.
Wyneth set down her cup and watched Aerity closely. The princess ran her fingers down her long braid before asking, “What is it? You’ve something on your mind?”
Wyneth slowly shook her head. “Nay. Do you?”
“Nay.”
At the same time they picked up their cups and sipped, eyeing each other over the rims. Of course Wyneth would be able to tell something was happening with her—they never could keep secrets. Aerity didn’t want her cousin to worry, but she also knew Wyneth could be trusted and wouldn’t tryto stop her. And as much as it pained her to think of leaving without telling her sister, Vixie, she knew the younger princess would want to accompany her, and that simply was not happening.
Aerity set down her cup. She glanced toward the doorway, but the guard was too far down the hall to hear. Still, she lowered her voice. “You know my parents are pushing up the wedding date to winter?”
Wyneth touched her fingers to her throat, swallowing the hot tea before she nodded.
“Well, I plan to have one last adventure before I do their bidding. I will leave a letter so they know I’m safe.” Aerity twisted her braid tightly in her hands.
Wyneth set down her cup and watched her closely. “But will you truly be safe, Cousin?”
“I plan to be, of course. I don’t aim to be reckless. And I won’t be alone. I’m seeking a favor from Harrison.”
“Harrison?” Wyneth’s brow scrunched with worry. “What about his work? Won’t he be reprimanded for abandoning his post?”
“Not if I can make it seem that he gave chase to find me and bring me back.”
Wyneth’s fingers drummed the sides of her cup, seeming lost in thought. “Where will you go?”
Ah, there was the question. Aerity didn’t fully know.
“South,” she said. “Before Tiern left, he told me he believed Paxton had set off to supposed safe lands in southernKalor, or perhaps to Zorfina to the Zandalee tribe.”
“That could take you weeks to find him, even on horseback. How long will you search before you return? You must give yourself a limit, Aer, or we’ll all be worried sick.”
Aerity felt her insides trembling at the unknown. “I will search for two weeks, and if I don’t find him, I will return straightaway. One month. That is how long I plan to be gone. No longer.”
“That will hardly give you any time with him.”
Aerity knew this. It was one of the plan’s many possible flaws. Would a day or two be enough to tie up their loose ends and allow her to move on?
“I don’t know if I’ll find him at all,” Aerity whispered. “Or if he’ll be glad to see me, for that matter. I’m trying to prepare myself for any outcome.”
Wyneth brought the cup to her lips but didn’t drink. Her eyes were distant and lost.
