Fear of Fire and Shadow (The Fade #1) - Samantha Young Page 0,8

for aid.”

The magnitude of the news silenced us both. How quickly our beautiful world seemed to have imploded.

“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 meant no disrespect.” Jarvis’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Now, what is to be done?”

You tell them, Haydyn, I wanted to say. But I didn’t. She already appeared 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 seemed relieved by his suggestion. She turned to Matai who stood on guard at the door. “Lord Matai, please have one of the footmen fetch Captain Stovia.”

I flinched at her command and bit my lip, my heart picking up speed at the thought of Wolfe. Captain Wolfe Stovia. Vikomt Wolfe Stovia, now that his father Syracen was dead. A few years my senior, Wolfe had proven himself steadfast, loyal, hardworking, and a strong soldier. He was one of the youngest captains in the history of the Guard. And I didn’t trust him one iota.

He wasn’t long in arriving. Wolfe strode into the room as his namesake would have done. Sleek and watchful, wily and dangerous. As handsome as any man in Phaedra, the servant girls went into twittering spasms whenever he was near. It made me feel rather queasy, to be honest.

His light blue eyes drank in the room before they came to rest upon me. His expression was inscrutable. Wolfe favored his mother’s side of the family in looks, for which I was grateful. It would have been awful to witness a young 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 him. She may as well have batted her eyelashes. A person couldn’t entirely blame her. If forced to, I could admit he was something to look at. Wolfe was strikingly tall, broad-shouldered, had a thick head of silky chestnut hair, olive skin, and beautiful almond-shaped eyes. His was a strong face, masculine and powerful. I, however, disliked it greatly.

“Captain,” Haydyn said. “I need you to send 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 my best men, Your Highness, three to each province.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Jarvis drew to his feet and helped Ava out of hers. “We appreciate it.”

As they were about to depart, I stood and cleared my throat. “May I suggest we keep this among us? And stress the importance of keeping this information confidential to your men … Captain.”

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 from me as he smiled sardonically. “Of course, Princezna.”

I glowered at him until he took his leave. Jarvis and Ava followed in his wake.

A solemn air hung between Haydyn and me as we strolled to her suite, Matai close on our heels. I was afraid to mention what had just been discussed.

“I keep waiting for you to cease your unpleasant attitude toward Captain Wolfe.” Haydyn threw me a reproving look.

“You’ll be waiting a millennium then.”

“Rogan, really.” She tsked. “He’s not his father, you know.”

I shrugged. I knew Haydyn thought it was unfair of me to dislike Wolfe, but I couldn’t help it. He was a Stovia. No matter how much he ingratiated 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 normal man would have wanted vengeance for his father’s death.

Haydyn did not share the suspicion. She sighed dreamily. “I don’t understand how you can be so disagreeable with him. He’s so handsome and strong.”

I laughed softly at Matai’s choked grunt behind us, and Haydyn threw him a teasing look over her shoulder. He would take his revenge for that.

We stopped at her suite and I checked the halls in both directions. It was clear. I nodded at them and Haydyn grabbed Matai’s hand, disappearing into her suite