Vortex Visions by Elise Kova

Author:Elise Kova [Kova, Elise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-949694-02-4
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Published: 2019-02-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Expectedly, they were the last to arrive at the noru races, and Ellene seemed to relish in it because it meant all eyes were on her for her grand entrance.

“I wasn’t sure if you were really going to come.” Darrus wasted no time in crossing over to them.

“I would never abandon you,” Ellene said smoothly.

His emerald eyes drifted over to Vi. She braced herself, remembering him in his mask from the night before. Would he out her now? A tiny, knowing smile crossed his lips, and then he carried on as though nothing was out of the ordinary. “I heard you were racing?”

“Well, I’d fully planned on it.” Vi rested a hand on her stomach, hunching slightly. “But I think I ate something in the market that didn’t agree with me. It’s coming on quickly.”

“What, no!” Ellene gasped, bringing her hands to Vi’s cheeks.

Jayme rushed over to Vi’s side, resting a hand on her back. “The same thing happened to me last night. Was it something from the cheese stall? The wheel with all the bright colors marbled underneath the wax?”

“Yes, that one!” Vi leaned into her friend.

“I do not remember you stopping at a cheese stall,” Andru murmured.

“We must have gone when you were distracted,” Ellene said with a glare.

“I only remember the spice stall.” He shrugged.

Vi gave a loud groan of mock pain, trying to bring the attention back to her. “And after I’ve saddled my noru and everything.”

Did this sound as fake to everyone else? Vi couldn’t help but wonder. It was a good thing they were all born nobility or in service to nobility, for none of them were about to win any acting awards. Even still, Darrus seemed to be believing it, and that was all that mattered. Then again, he hadn’t taken his eyes off Ellene for more than a minute and the two gravitated closer together with every second.

“Should we get a cleric for you?” Darrus asked, concern coating his words. “I may have some potions on hand. One of my friends is a Groundbreaker with a gift for healing and I think they—”

“No, no. I’m fine, or I will be.” Vi made a show of wincing.

“It passed quickly for me as well,” Jayme affirmed. “But, as your sworn guard, and in the interest of your safety, I must insist you do not race. Doing so could agitate things, and the unsightliness of being sick astride a noru…”

“But Jayme, my noru is all saddled and ready to ride.” As Vi finished, she glanced at Ellene from the corners of her eyes, waiting for the girl to jump in and be the hero she wanted to be… any second… But Ellene was too busy making looks of adoration at Darrus. Looks he was returning, so at least he didn’t consciously hear the conversation running head-first past awkward. “If only someone could—”

“I could ride the noru for you!” Ellene returned to the realm of the present at the last possible moment. “If you do not mind, that is, princess.

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