She hesitated a moment, a little flustered and a lot confused. Was he really not going to say anything? Deciding silence was better than humiliating herself further, she held her head high and stepped past him.
It was still fairly dark as she carefully made her way to the stables where the rest of the party was no doubt waiting. Before she could take more than a few steps, she felt a tug on her arm. She flinched as pain radiated through her sore limb. She looked over her shoulder to find Trey with a hand around the strap of her bag.
His eyes sparked with mischief as he took in her posture and silence. He had her on edge, and he knew it. Gone was the shock he’d shown that morning. She was at a complete loss on how to act.
“I’m just trying to take your bag. It wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me if I made a lady carry her belongings.” Vera didn’t even need to see his entire face to know he was mocking her and laughing at her expense.
Huffing an irritated breath, she let him slide her bag off her shoulder before she continued walking. It was obvious he found their morning confrontation funny, and it made her face heat with embarrassment. Mix that with the fact she’d barely made it down the road before tripping over her blasted dress, she lost her composure.
Hiking her garment up away from her boots, she all but stomped ahead. He didn’t say a word, but she could hear his bubbly laughter trailing behind her and hoped it was a good sign.
Elric looked up as she approached and couldn’t completely hide his reaction. She knew even in the dark, she looked rough, but it still sucked to have it confirmed. She opened her mouth to ask what the plan was but abruptly closed it when her eyes traveled over his shoulder and met Prince Eithan’s.
Upon meeting her eye, he made his way toward her, and she felt her heart rate pick up.
“Miss Vera,” he paused and held out his arm. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his outstretched one. He planted a quick kiss on her knuckles that she felt down to her toes. She knew her face was on fire and clasped her hands together as soon as he released her.
“I must formally apologize for what you have experienced. I cannot imagine the fear you must have endured. I have already expressed to Lesta my gratitude that he was able to protect you.” He placed a hand on his chest, and his concern appeared genuine. She didn’t really understand why he cared.
“It’s fine,” she said. “No apology needed, your highness.” She vaguely wondered how close Elric was to having a heart attack next to her.
“I must respectfully disagree. When Lesta approached me and requested to bring you, I admittedly had my reservations. However, I agreed when he explained his reasoning. I trust our guards as a whole, but men will be men.”
Vera bristled at the crude sentiment but said nothing as he continued.
“I truly felt you would be safer here, under the protection of myself and my guards. You have my sincere apology that I was wrong.” He turned, and she saw Elric nod at her before accompanying the prince back to his mount.
She stayed where she was, watching them leave. She was trying to understand just how surreal her life had become. It hadn’t been that long ago she’d knocked the prince on his ass, and less than a day since she’d failed to apprehend an enemy, and yet he was apologizing to her.
“I can’t help but wonder something.”
She jumped, not noticing Trey had come to stand next to her. She raised her eyebrow in answer.
“I can’t help but wonder, since Lesta protected you and all, how you managed to get both blood and bruises. Makes one a tad curious.”
She turned sharply in his direction in time to catch his departing wink before he followed after the others.
∞∞∞
They’d been riding for hours, and Trey still hadn’t come to travel next to her. She was nervous at first, both at the prospect of what he might say and also at the chance she’d lost the only friendly face she’d ever known.
But twice now she’d caught him glancing back at her, and she would bet three rounds of ale he was purposefully trying to force her to approach him.
She tried, gods did she try, to fight the desire. But as the sun hit its highest peak in the sky, she found herself urging Umber forward, cursing Trey the entire way.
“Afternoon, Miss Vera, fancy seeing you up here. Are you enjoying today’s trip so far?”
His eyes practically glittered, and she saw his fingers tapping away on his saddle. She’d questioned him about the habit the other day, curious if he was playing out any particular tune. But he’d shook his head and confessed the movement helped him focus when trying to juggle his thoughts.
She chose to focus on that memory as she looked over at him, trying to remind herself why she liked him.
“Yes, I have quite enjoyed the solitude the back of the party provides.”
“I’m sure the solitude is quite welcome when you’re cursing up a storm over the discomfort of riding a horse in your condition. You know, from your harrowing night as a damsel.”
The bastard. “Gods, I get it. You can save your passive comments. You saw me covered in grime and bruises—”
“And trousers. Don’t forget trousers.”
“I said I get it,” she snapped. “Nothing I say will change what you saw. So, spare me the lecture and taunts, and just tell me what happens now.”
She heaved out a breath and looked away. She still didn’t know him well enough to predict his reaction, but she was already so knee-deep in shit, there was no point in mincing words anymore.
“Hey,” he said, softer now, "Nothing is going to happen. You don’t even have to talk to me about it. You just…well you just bring the mischievous ass outta me I suppose.” He reached over to nudge her shoulder, but glancing around their party, thought better of it.
Vera contemplated his words, watching him for a minute before riding silently for a while. He truly didn’t appear to care that—according to Matheris—she was doing things no lady had a right to do.
Then again, Vera didn’t exactly have experience with people to base her assumptions on. But, with what Elric had said about the emperor looming over her, she decided to take a risk. A different type of risk.
“I avoided most of your questions the other day. The ones about myself,” she said.
“Yeah, I noticed,” he said, chuckling.
She felt her lips tip up. “I didn’t answer because I didn’t want to have to lie to you. I don’t live the most appropriate life for a Matherin woman, and it’s not something I’m usually safe to admit.”
“You’re the ward to the Weapon’s Master. I don’t think anyone expects you to be a noble lady.”
She pursed her lips and nodded. True. “It’s more than that.” She paused, debating what all she was comfortable telling him. She wouldn’t risk Elric, so admitting she could fight was still a no for now.
“I hate dresses. I agree they can be beautiful, but they’re completely unpractical. This is literally the first time I’ve ever worn one.”