“Good,” Vixie whispered weakly. “Tiern . . .” She glanced surreptitiously around before continuing in an even softer voice. “I’m terribly worried about Aerity.”
His wide eyes met hers, as if reading her thoughts. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Too late.”
“It wasn’t smart for her to go in the first place,” he said hotly.
“That’s neither here nor there at this point. I’ve decided to go and I would appreciate your companionship. But with or without you, I must find her.”
Tiern’s jaw set. His nostrils flared. Truth was, Vixie’s plan would only work if Tiern was willing to help her. She hoped he wouldn’t call her bluff. He cursed under his breath.
“What exactly is this blasted plan of yours, Vixie?”
She held back from showing her relief. “This afternoon when the castle makes the bread run to the soldiers’ barracks, I will be hidden in the cart.”
Tiern threw his head back and closed his eyes. “Oh, deep seas.”
Vixie pressed on. “You will be at the stables, readying a horse and cart full of hay. I will roll from the cart as we pass the stables and hide under your stack of hay. You’ll take us to the nearest village and I can get out.”
He gave her an incredulous look.
She crossed her arms. “What?”
“It will never work. How do you suppose you will get onto the cart without guards seeing you in the first place?”
“Mr. Shellfine in the kitchen adores me and lets me have run of the pantry, but he does not allow guards to come stomping through the kitchens to follow me. He’ll whack them with a wooden spoon if they dare get near his rising dough.” She grinned triumphantly.
Still, Tiern shook his head. “I’ll be thrown in the dungeons when we’re caught.”
“Nay, I’ll say I was forcing you or bribing you or threatening you or something.” Vixie waved a hand. “But we won’t be caught.”
He continued to stare at her as if she were mad.
“Be ready at the stables. Tell the guards you’re doing whatever hunters do around the perimeter.”
“Scouting? Why would I need a hay cart for that?”
Vixie leaned her chin on her palm and thought. “Say you’re going to do some long-term scouting for beasts, into the woods. You’d need hay to feed the horses since grasses are dying off right now. It should work!”
Tiern’s eyes held sheer skepticism, but his body slumped in a way that told Vixie he was tired of arguing.
“And one more thing,” Vixie whispered. “I’ll need you to bring a set of commoner clothing for me to change into. I’ll take care of food since I’ll be in the pantry.”
“This is absolute madness. I can’t even believe we’re discussing it. I won’t put you in that sort of danger.”
“I’ll be safe with you.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Tiern . . .” Vixie prepared to pull out her biggest card. “This could be your only chance to see Paxton again.”
His entire being stiffened as his eyes became unfocused in thought. She stood very still as he pondered.
“Curses, Princess.” He exhaled sharply. “When does the bread cart come?”
Vixie smiled as he relented. “One hour.”
He raised his arms and smacked them down at his sides. “One hour? That’s it?”
