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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Visla

Two days later, someone knocked at my door.

By the force of it, I could tell that the knocking came from a man or maybe someone just very adamant to see me.

I swung the door open thinking that Khol had returned. It wasn’t Khol. It was another leader they called Zorfov. I recognized him from before, so I knew he had close connections to both Khol and his brother Ghid.

“Visla. Princess Sanjit has asked to see you.”

I frowned. “Princess? Sanjit?”

“Yes. She would like you to meet her in one hour in the dinner hall at the castle.”

Zorfov turned to leave, but I ran out to stop him.

“Why?”

Zorfov blinked and said, “She is the princess. Why ask why?”

I put my hand on her hips. “Exactly. She’s the princess, not our king. And I’m no longer employed at the palace. Why should I go to her?”

“Don’t be rude, lady. She only wants to have dinner with you. I saw the maids preparing the tables when she asked me to inform you,” he said.

“Is Khol back yet?”

“If he were back, do you think I’d be coming to bring you this message or him?”

“What about Ghid?”

“He’s on the mission with Khol, of course. They’re not expected back for a couple of days. Bye for now. I have other messages to deliver.”

He left me there with a weird feeling in my gut, which wasn’t hunger.

Yet, one hour later, I became curious and made my way over to the castle.

The maids there all knew me and explained that they were expecting me. They took me right to the dining hall where Sanjit was waiting.

Sanjit, dressed in all black except for pretty azure diamonds embedded in her jewelry and hair, got up from the table and clasped her hands together. “Oh! Our guest of honor. She’s finally here.”

I faked a smile. “Hi.”

She had her floor-length hair tied up into a bun this time. “Oh, don’t look so scared. I’m not the King, after all. I don’t have the talent of gutting people alive with my machete like he does.”

My stomach rolled and bile rose in my throat. I really didn’t need to be reminded that Khol was a vicious warrior when he was not a King.

The chef placed our plates on the table, and everyone cleared the room, leaving Sanjit and I alone.

She waved toward the chair. “Sit down.”

“What is this about?”

She motioned to the chair. “I just want to make friends here. There are lots of humans. I thought I would introduce myself to some nice women like you. All the others were kind to me.”

I hesitated, unsure of whether I should let the rude princess sit before sitting. I knew the laws of Xalxa and that it was custom, but feeling a bit rebellious, I sat down anyway. Sanjit took her seat and pulled out a napkin to place over her lap. I followed her lead.

“Before he left, Ghid told me that you’re a fine jeweler. A master jeweler, at that.”