Promising Light by Emily Ann Ward Page A

weeks.”
    “But she’s alive, isn’t she?”
Lesado asked, glaring at him. “And now serving in the
castle.”
    “You’ll help us in finding her,
right, Sir Dar?” the prince asked.
    “Yes, of course.”
    William turned to Lesado. “Then
tell them to stay away from Lady Grace. Give us a chance to take
care of this.”
     
    * * *
     
    When Grace stirred from her nap, it
took her a moment to remember where she was. Her surroundings were
much darker, and she sat up, rubbing her eyes. The contents of the
tent—the trunk and water basin—were only dim shapes. She reached
for the water basin and dampened the piece of fabric she’d used
earlier. The coolness on her warm face was refreshing.
    She took a deep breath and thought
about the events of the morning again. The shape changers, the
invisible camp, Adrian and Myra. She pulled on her shoes. They were
thin things and wouldn’t do much good when she tried to run, but
she had no other choice.
    She stepped out of Myra’s tent into
the clearing. It was late afternoon now, the low sun hidden by the
trees surrounding them. The horse-man from earlier stood up. “Lady
Grace. We weren’t properly introduced before. My name is
Vin.”
    Grace nodded. She now noticed he
had a long scar running down the left side of his face. “Where’s
Myra?”
    “She’s out gathering food,” Vin
said. “She said you might be hungry.”
    Once Grace thought about it, she
was. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast, which seemed ages
ago.
    “Would you like to meet my wife?”
Vin asked. “She prepared a meal for you.”
    Grace crossed her arms, studying
him. “Fine.”
    Vin led her across the clearing to
a smaller canvas tent. A dark-haired, plump woman sat by the fire
pit, grilling strips of meat. The scent made Grace’s stomach squirm
with hunger pains. “Amina, this is Lady Grace.”
    Amina stood up, curtsying to Grace.
She had a round face and full lips. “Lady Grace, I’m so pleased to
meet you. Please, sit down.”
    Grace glanced around the clearing.
She wasn’t far from the forest. Vin kept his gaze on her, though,
and she saw the knife in his belt. He motioned for her to sit down.
She sat down next to Amina, forcing a smile for her. “Wasn’t
someone named Lisbeth supposed to come?” she asked Vin.
    “Yes, she’s coming soon,” he
said.
    Amina brought a wooden plate out of
the tent and arranged the strips of meat along with berries and
boiled greens onto it. She held it out for Grace with an eager
smile.
    Grace took the plate, her lips
pursed. She waited for silverware, but Amina merely looked at her
with expectancy.
    Vin cleared his throat. “Do we have
any eating utensils, Amina?”
    Amina’s tan skin reddened. “Of
course.” She ruffled around in the tent and came out with a wooden
fork. “I’m so sorry, m’lady.”
    Grace took the fork and had a few
bites. The meat was spiced with something unfamiliar, but she
enjoyed it. Amina watched her as she emptied her plate and then
offered her a glass of wine. Grace sipped without thinking. Her
eyes widened; how did she know the wine she was drinking didn’t
have poison? She looked down at it, watching the rich liquid
settle. “Is this safe to drink?”
    “Of course,” Amina
said.
    Grace held it out for her. “Then
you take a drink of it.”
    Amina’s stared at her in confusion.
Vin nodded at her, so she took the goblet and took a drink of the
wine.
    They said they weren’t going to
hurt her. But Vin had also said the kidnapping wasn’t about money.
If not, then what? She couldn’t help thinking of the man she met at
the Boar’s Bar.
    The three of them settled into
silence. Grace watched the bustle of the camp: people building
fires, women hanging up damp clothes, men smoking and playing
games. Many of them seemed to notice her, glancing over often. Vin
sat on one side of her, Amina on the other. Grace saw more scars on
Vin’s arms and hands. She wondered what happened to him.
    “When will Myra be back?”