Tori Transmigrated

Goddammit, Piers, have you no regard for your safety? Tori wanted to scream at him. Piers knew Sebastian was coming. It wasn’t a secret; she’d told him herself. She ground her teeth together. Never mind that, Tori. Focus.

She needed to defuse the situation at once, and without showing any favoritism towards Piers. If she appeared to side with him over her brother, then it would only upset Sebastian further. Tori tried to remember all the various mandatory manager training she had where she learned to diffuse conflicts between employees.

She turned around to look at her brother and slipped between him and Piers. “Sebby, what are you doing? The figurines I bought for JP and Sonia are in those bags.” Her brother’s eyes flickered back to her and as soon as she got his attention, she opened her stance to appear more welcoming. She gave him a soft smile. “Piers surprised us, didn’t he? I told him to come for an inspection of the delta, but I didn’t expect him to arrive this soon.”

Her brother’s scowl didn’t diminish in the least. “Why is he in your tent?”

“Piers isn’t a regular visitor here, like me, Nanny, or Axton, so he doesn’t have a tent assigned to him,” Tori told Sebastian. “In fact, the last time he was here, it was still winter. The front area of my tent doubles as a meeting space, as well as my office. It makes sense that he’d wait for us here, right?”

She saw a flicker of recognition on Sebastian's face. She was being logical and pragmatic; things marquis’ children were raised to be. “I suppose you are right.” He looked past her, at Piers. “You should put your work area in a different place.”

“You’re right,” Tori said, never taking her eyes off her brother. “I will do so when we have more room and available money. Right now, this is the easiest set up. I also study here when I come for my bi-weekly visits, so it’s convenient.”

Sebastian’s expression eased, but he was still tense. “Have a cot brought in. I will stay in your office while I am here.”

Tori inwardly groaned, but didn’t want to reject him yet. “I will ask them to bring in a second cot.” Her sleeping quarters were further back, behind another canvas wall and a flap door that separated the two spaces. “If you’re here, I can rest easy. I’m sure I can learn from you, too. You’ve had your share managing projects and hearing about your experiences will be beneficial to me and the delta.”

Her brother looked back at her, and his scowl relaxed into a frown. He took a step around her and shot a glare at Piers. “Don’t just walk into a woman’s tent without telling her.”

“Where would I wait?” Piers asked, solemn.

“You can wait in the carriage!” Sebastian scowled once more, and Tori reached forward to pat his arm in an effort to calm him.

“He won’t do it again, right, Piers?” She didn’t receive an answer and looked over her shoulder, at the first prince. She narrowed her eyes. “You will be more conscientious next time. Right. Piers.”

He looked away. “I will be more conscientious next time.”

That was the best she’d get from him. Tori let out a low breath and walked around Sebastian to lift up the flap of her tent door. “Sir DeCamp, please go find Mr. Sima and ask him to arrange to bring a cot and other chamber goods to my tent for my brother.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Tori slipped back into her inside. Neither her brother nor Piers had moved from their spot. She took a deep breath. “Sebby, can you help me bring my things to the back? My sleeping quarters are behind that wall.”

Sebastian didn’t take his eyes off of Piers as he bent down to pick up his sister’s bags. Without a word, he stalked past Piers, glowering at him the entire time. As soon as his back was turned, Tori looked at Piers with a disapproving frown.

“You’re early.” It was the only thing she could say to admonish him for appearing unscheduled when her brother was within earshot. “I thought you were coming later.”

“I finished,” Piers said. He took a step forward and thrust out his hands. “For you.”

She knit her brows together, but still lifted her hands to accept the bouquet. “Why did you bring them?”

“Father said I should bring you a welcome back bouquet,” Piers told her, as if it were the most logical action. “He always prepares one for Mother when she returns.”

Tori clenched her jaw. Your parents are married, Piers. She looked down at the flowers. Now that she thought about it, she’d seen this similar color scheme in a bouquet before. It must’ve been popular in the capital. “That’s very sweet of him.”

“Are you happy?”

She looked up from the ranunculus and let out a small hum. “I’m happy to be back and to have had a smooth journey.” She could almost see the disappointment in his eyes. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re just what I need to put some life into my tent. I’ll put them on my nightstand....” Sebastian came out of the back room and Tori turned and marched towards her desk. “On my desk.”

“Do you like them?” Piers asked quietly.

Tori looked around her desk for something to put the flowers in. She didn’t decorate her tent, so she didn’t have any spare vases lying around. All she was able to find was the wooden bucket where she tossed her laundry and the square bin she used for trash. She squinted and pursed her lips. Neither really seemed to work.

I’ll just put them on my desk as they are. Maybe I can borrow a vase later. She placed the flowers on the corner of her desk and tried to arrange them so it would look aesthetically pleasing. “Yes, they’re lovely, Piers. Thank you. It’s nice to have a warm welcome upon return.”

The corners of Piers’ lips turned up just a bit, but his eyes crinkled up. He seemed satisfied.

“Tori, why don’t you take a rest. You’ve been up since dawn,” Sebastian said as he moved between them, as if to block Piers from her line of vision.

She almost nodded, but stopped herself. If she went to rest now, who knew what Sebastian would do to Piers. Piers would likely go with whatever Sebastian told him.

“I’m not tired,” she said, smiling brightly. “When the knights get here, let’s see Anahata Island. I want to see what Master Ramos and Instructor Ignatius have been working on.”

Sebastian’s eyes darted to Piers. “Is he coming?”

“Piers, do you want to come?” Tori asked. Piers gave her a singular nod. “All right, then, while we wait, we can talk. I wanted to ask you about something.”

Piers’ face seemed to brighten. “Dancing?”

“Dancing?” Sebastian repeated with a frown.

Piers, why are you doing this to me.... Tori stared at the young man with helplessness and disbelief. “No, about farm land. An acquaintance I met at Moss Hill is coming to assess the surrounding area for farming. She has a lot of experience and when I asked around, she’s one of the foremost authorities on agriculture development and research in the empire. She helped Kasey with the greenhouses in Nordur.”

Piers seemed to think for a moment. His eyes moved to Sebastian. “Master’s ex-girlfriend.”

Tori silently screamed once more. She snapped her head towards her brother, who stood stiffly to the side, jaw clenched and eyes narrowed. “Piers, you should refer to her as Lady Idunn. Not as Sebby’s...ex....” She grimaced as she said it, not wanting to upset her brother.

Piers gave her an obedient nod. “You’re right. Father says that I should not refer to a young lady as someone’s.”

“What young lady...she’s practically thirty,” Sebastian muttered under his breath. Tori let out a low sigh.

“Anyway, have a seat,” Tori said as she rounded her desk to go to her little shelf. “I have a good map of the delta for this somewhere....” She pulled out a half dozen maps and unrolled them partway to check the contents until she found the one she was looking for. She turned around, holding the map in her hands, and looked up. “The Imperial family currently oversees....”

Her voice trailed off as she saw her brother staring at Piers with a look that would wither a normal man. Sebastian looked almost ready to fight and Piers was avoiding his eyes, but standing firmly in place.

“Piers.” She slapped the map on the table in order to get their attention. “Can you look at this map?”

He turned around and stepped forward as she unraveled the map and used some books to hold down the corners. “What are you looking for?”

“This is the section of the delta that belongs to the imperial family. This area is what has been allocated to us,” Tori said, moving her hand over the edge of the river mouth and the islands. “There isn’t any space for farming, and I wanted to know if there is any possibility of renting the land further upriver for farming.”

Piers was quiet as his hand lowered and traced some areas upriver. “What area do you want?”

“I’m not sure yet. I want to wait for Lady Idunn to come and take a look, and then discuss options.” Tori glanced up. “Is renting space possible? Once we have some income coming in, we may be able to afford it.”

He stopped moving his hand as it brushed against hers. “I will discuss it with my father.”

Tori let out a low breath of relief, but before she could thank him, Sebastian let out a loud cough. She looked towards her brother and saw his eyes focused on the table and the map. Piers’ hand was next to hers. They weren’t touching, but he casually moved away to circle another area.

“Great, I will ask Lady Idunn to look over this area first,” she said. She let out a small, awkward laugh and looked past her brother, towards the entrance. “Where are the knights? Did they get lost? Maybe I should go look for them.”

“I will send someone to go look,” Piers said, already stepping away from the table. “I will also ask for something for you to eat. It’s almost time for your afternoon snack.”

Tori could feel her brother’s demanding gaze burning into her, silently asking her why Piers knew her snack schedule. In her defense, many people who were around her knew she liked to have snacks in the afternoon. She was sure even Constantine noticed it by now.

“Thanks, Piers....”

He looked proud of himself as he left the tent.

“Don’t tell me he knows what you like to eat, too,” Sebastian said. Tori looked back at the map and returned to her seat.

“He’s not the one making me the snack.” But yes. He does know what I like to eat, but so do my friends. Ilyana even knows to alternate what lunch she gets me, so I don’t get tired of the same thing. Tori lifted her hand and gave her brother a dismissive wave. “Don’t overthink it.”

“And earlier, what did you mean by ‘dancing’?” Sebastian asked as he sat in the vacated seat and seemed to bore his eyes into his sister.

Tori raised a brow and gave him a shake of her head. “I mean ‘dancing’ in the literal sense. At the Empress’s birthday banquet.”

Her brother frowned. “The one where you’re escorting him?” His voice was laced with displeasure at the reminder, but Tori ignored him.

“I don’t think Piers will be able to manage dancing at his mother’s banquet considering how loud and crowded it will be,” Tori said as she lifted her red pen. She carefully made small dots around the map to mark off the land that seemed promising for farming. “He found out I like to dance and wanted to dance with me, but I’m worried it will be too much for him.”

Sebastian relaxed a bit. “It will be chaotic on the dance floor. With the amount of people who will be present, it is almost inevitable that you would at least brush up against someone in the midst of a dance.”

“I thought the same. That’s why I told him that we don’t have to dance. If I really want to, I can find another partner anyway.”

She continued focusing on her map and didn’t notice her brother smirking. “That’s true. I’ll be there, as well. If you need a partner to dance with, I don’t mind.”

“Thanks, Sebby.” Tori lifted her pen and scrutinized the map for a second before she looked up. “But that would mean leaving him unescorted and he could be overwhelmed. If Axton were here, I’d feel more comfortable stepping away for a few moments. When we were at the garden party, there were a lot of people who came to speak to Piers. When it’s just one or two people, even three if he’s familiar with them, he’s fine. He’s able to converse normally. The problem lies when he is swarmed by strangers.”

Sebastian cocked his head to the side. “Didn’t you say that he was at your store’s release event and talking to people?”

“They were people he already knew and expected to be there. Rather than a social event, it was more like a discussion. Piers was in his element,” Tori said before blowing across the map to dry the ink. “Also, Axton was right next to him the entire time, I was near-by, and he had a calming crystal in his pocket.”

Her brother let out a tired sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Dealing with him is so troublesome.”

The corner of her lip curled up. “Sebby, it isn’t as if there are banquets and balls every night.”

He huffed and looked away with a frown. “You shouldn’t let him drag you to so many. Especially when Lycée starts. It will distract you from school and your project.”

“I know. If school and my project become too much, I’ll scale back the dinners and luncheons,” Tori told him. “Piers will understand.”

“He better.”

“Sebby, he’s really trying to make an effort to be more social and mingle with nobles and aristocracy.” She looked at Sebastian beseechingly and let out a tired breath. “Kasey said that the marches all support him as crown prince, although he’s lacking in the ability to socialize. Piers is trying very hard to change everyone’s perception of him and gain allies by going to these events because he wants to be crown prince. Can’t you be more supportive?”

Sebastian furrowed his brows. His lips remained downturned, and he didn’t answer immediately.

“Piers is my student. As frustrating as he can be, I know very well how intelligent and clever he is.” Tori watched her brother’s face contort, as if it pained him to admit that. “He will make an excellent crown prince and the fact that he is willing to socialize and meet with people after he avoided doing so his entire life; the fact that he’s willing to do that regardless of the discomfort and pressure it will put on him, tells me that he is taking the position seriously and I want to support him. I do support him. What bothers me is that he’s dragged you into his fight.”

Her expression softened. “Sebby, he didn’t drag me. I willingly joined him.”

He stared at her, perplexed. “Why?”

Tori drew her lips in and bit them. “The future depends on who is in power.” Both the empire’s future and hers. She smiled a bit and looked down. “Also, he is my friend. I can’t abandon him.”

She heard Sebastian exhale deeply and she raised her head. He leaned back against his seat and rubbed his temples. “The more time you spend with him, the more people will talk.”

“Heh...I know.”

He looked at her with uncertainty. “And you are fine with that?”

She shook her head. “No. But it’s a small price to pay to support him.” She chuckled and gave her brother a sympathetic look. “Sebby, just because people talk doesn’t mean I’m going to marry Piers.”

His hands stopped rubbing his head. She saw the doubt across his face. “Rather than listening to words, I’m watching the actions.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Actions?”

Sebastian shook his head. “Never mind.” He sighed and looked around her desk. “What was your plan for the Empress’ Banquet? Are you leaving the night before so you can prepare at Auntie’s?”

“I thought about leaving the day before. I’m also accompanying Piers to the final match of the polo tournament on the day of the banquet.”

Sebastian raised a brow. “He’s going to the stadium to watch the polo tournament. He knows it’ll be crowded and loud, doesn’t he?”

“The Imperial family’s private viewing box,” Tori said. “I checked.”

“And you’ll be all right with being in the same room as that little brat Gideon?”

“I’m not a child, Sebby. I can be in the same room with him without issue. I am in the same homeroom as him, after all,” she told him as she lifted her chin. “Besides, there is also a good chance he won’t be there. Piers said that he’s participating in the tournament next week and his team is likely to play in the final match.” She held back a scoff. “I didn’t even know he played polo.”

“Many children of noble bearing play polo,” Sebastian said. “Even Piers. Or at least, he would if he rode a horse other than that white one...what’s its name...it’s moody and won’t let anyone else ride it.”

“Snow Queen.”

“That’s exactly what I would expect him to name a horse.”

Tori stared at her brother. Your horse is named Victory at Sunset because I was born at sunset; don’t judge other people’s horse names. “I’m sure if the circumstances wouldn’t overwhelm him, he would also play. Unfortunately, they do, so he’ll be viewing it in a private room with his parents and me.” She paused. “Sebby, don’t you need a ticket to get into the stadium? They should be sold out by now. Are you not going to attend?”

“Had I known you were going, I would’ve made arrangements. I’ll make some calls to see if there is anyone willing to sell their ticket.”

“We can ask Piers to bring you into the imperial family’s box.” It was the most logical thing to do. She was sure the Empress would like to see her best friend’s son, as well.

“Let me make some calls first,” Sebastian said. “I’ll leave with you the day before and we’ll go directly to Auntie Lucia’s.”

“Master, I have permission to allow you and Tori to spend the night at the palace on the night of the banquet for convenience.” Piers appeared at the entrance with a tray of snacks in his hands.

Sebastian gave him a dull look. “We won’t be doing that. The third district isn’t far from the central district. There is no need to stay the night.”

Piers placed the tray on Tori’s desk and quietly slid it closer to her. “Madam Vargova said you may be hungry after your trip and came to deliver this. It has been tested, as per protocol.”

Sebastian looked at Piers with surprise. “You gave my sister poison testers?”

“Nanny Rey is not here to cook for her,” Piers said. “I am being cautious.”

“Piers, what did we discuss about bringing people from the palace to work here?” Tori said as she reached for some fried cheese balls. Madam Vargova had prepared Tori’s favorite village snacks: fried cheese balls, fried paprika chicken that were cut into strips and easy for her to pick up and eat, small baked goods stuffed with more cheese, and a creamy dip with cut vegetables.

“Father ordered for two of the testers to come here to work until Lycée starts. He said your safety is of the utmost concern,” Piers told her.

Tori wasn’t sure how to take that, but accepted it. The poison testers in Soleil didn’t taste the food and wouldn’t be harmed. They were specialists who used crystals and charms to look for any reactions against various poisons and agents. The charms could also be created to react to particular foods that one could be allergic to.

The Empress had an attendant with her who was her poison tester. Tori’s father said that the tester’s main purpose was actually to check for a particular seaweed in the regional dishes, as the Empress was allergic and would get hives.

“Sebby is right. We’ll just go back to Auntie’s after the banquet,” Tori told Piers with a nod.

Sebastian bit into a chicken strip. “There is no need for you to be involved.”

Piers knit his brows together and frowned. “When will we dance?”

“Some other time. I told you, it’s not urgent,” Tori told him. “We have plenty of chances.” Despite her words, Piers fidgeted and began to look distressed.

“Come the day before and we can dance in the ballroom.”

There was some desperation in his voice and Tori almost gave in.

“Won’t the palace staff be busy decorating it?” Sebastian leaned forward and picked up one of the chicken strips. He bit into it and nodded, satisfied. “You’ll be bothering them.”

“There are other ballrooms,” Piers said, his voice tightening.

“Piers, I still have so much to do here.” She motioned to the papers on her desk and the map. “You know how much work I have to review. There are orders to go over and papers to sign....”

He lowered his head and his shoulders dropped. “I know. You are busy. We can dance another time.”

Piers turned around and seemed to rush out of the tent before she could stop him. Sebastian remained seated, eating the snacks as if they were his, and watched Piers leave. “He’s upset.”

“I know he’s upset.” Tori shot her brother a glare.

Sebastian’s eyes lingered on the entry flap Piers had walked through. He stood up and walked to the entrance, moving aside the flap. “Who is escorting His Highness?”

“No one, my lord. His Highness doesn’t wish to be followed around the encampment.”

“He’s upset right now and not in the right state of mind. One of you keep an eye on him. You don’t have to escort him, just know where he is. Make sure no harm comes to him,” Sebastian said in a stern voice.

“Yes, my lord.”

Sebastian stepped back inside, and Tori stood up. He lifted his hand to stop her before she could take a step. “Let him have his space to think this through. He’s disappointed, but he’ll survive.” He gave Tori a stern look. “He’s not a child, either.”

“I know.” Tori sat back down on her chair and slumped forward. “He just really wanted to dance.”

Tori arranged for Axton’s tent to be prepared for Piers while Andy was given the tent next to hers, which was Nanny Rey’s. Piers would stay across the walkway from hers, much to Sebastian’s annoyance, but she reminded him that it made sense for when Axton was there, as he was tasked with guarding her and proximity was important.

When their snacks were finished, they had gone to Anahata Island and Tori couldn’t help but glance around to try to catch sight of Piers. She didn’t see him and was a bit worried. However, he was a grown man and Sebastian sent someone to shadow him, so she wasn’t too concerned.

They got on one of the boats at the ferry dock to take them to Anahata Island. She had been informed that two additional docks were built. The original dock was the ‘ferry’ dock, which brought people to and from the islands. It was extended out into a ‘T’ shape to be able to accommodate more boats, as more people were going to the islands to work.

The second dock was built closer to the supply yard and used for transporting supplies. The third was just a few steps away from the ferry dock and was where the new fishermen were docking their boats.

As they approached the island, Sebastian sat up straight. He looked down at his arm and moved it towards her. “Tori.”

She looked over and saw the goosebumps on his skin. Her brows shot up. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” he said with a chuckle. “The energy vein is...incredible. The closer we get the more I can feel this tingling sensation.”

“Will you be all right?” she asked. He nodded.

“I’ve always been very sensitive to it. I’m getting excited,” he said with a smile. Tori nodded. She hadn’t read of danger on an energy vein and neither Master Ramos nor Instructor Ignatius mentioned such a thing.

They reached the island and climbed up the hill to reach the tents. A wide work area had been created with a large tarp that covered several tables littered with crystals of various shapes and sizes, and tools.

“It’s about time you got here!” Master Ramos rushed forward. Tori was pleased to see he was wearing the protective equipment she’d prepared. She watched the old man drag his pupil into the tent and begin showing him everything they had been working on.

Tori took the chance to check in with Instructor Ignatius on the air-cooling units they’d discussed.

“It’s that expensive?” Tori looked disappointed. She had hoped it would be affordable, as the summer months at the delta were humid and hot. It got to the point where she ordered workers to take two-hour breaks during the peak hours so as not to get heat stroke.

“Both ice calcite and amber topaz are needed to cool and circulate the air. Even low-quality ones are costly,” Instructor Ignatius said. “I thought of using scrap crystals, but finding amber topaz scrap crystals has been difficult.”

Tori nodded. “I’ll look into it.” She reached into her pocket, expecting to find her comcry. She looked down and frowned. “Shoot...left it in my tent....” Tori tilted her head back and groaned. “Sebby! I’m going back to my tent to get my comcry! I’ll be right back!”

Distracted with his master, her brother gave her a nod and told her to be careful as he knelt down to examine a black sphere placed inside a granite column. Tori jogged down the hill and got on to the same boat that took her to the island.

Tori looked around the islands they passed, pleased to see that construction was moving faster than she expected now that the pile drivers were all in use. She was also pleased to see that the birthday present from her parents; two large boats with a built-in pile driver on their specially designed bows, were in use securing areas around the islands and making docks.

As they moved between the islands, Tori looked towards the northeast, where a singular island was not yet developed. It didn’t have a fancy name, just island NE12 according to their documents; however, she hoped to settle one day there herself. She squinted and leaned to the side.

“Mr. Vargova, can you take me to that island? NE12.” Tori pointed towards the island, which was about half the size of the test island, but had a nice grove of trees to one side, closest to the mainland.

“Yes, my lady.”

Without a dock, the boat got close to the shore and Mr. Vargova and his son jumped out to push it on to the banks so Tori wouldn’t have to step into the water. She thanked them and climbed out, walking towards the grove of trees at the far end.

She tilted her head to the side as she watched Piers secure a rope on a wooden plank already hanging from the thick branch of a tree. He pushed down on the plank, making sure it was secure, then sat on it. He planted his feet on the ground and pushed back, until he was almost standing with the plank on his butt.

Tori smiled as he jumped a bit and the swing carried him forward, part way over the water that the trees hung over. She giggled and sped up her walk.

“Can I try?”

Piers nearly fell off the swing as he slammed his feet on the ground to stop himself. He shot up and turned around to look at her.

“You’re here,” he said. Tori nodded.

“I was curious as to what you were doing out here,” she said. She glanced at the swing. “Having fun?”

Piers shifted nervously. “It’s fun.” He stepped to the side and motioned towards it. “Sit.”

Tori didn’t hesitate. She sat down, backed up, and then swung her legs out. Her hair flew out of her face as she swung forward. She extended her legs as she went out over the water. A smile filled her face as she leaned forward and swung her legs back to get more motion.

“Why did you bring a swing?” she said loudly as she leaned back when she moved forward once more.

Piers shrugged. “It looks enjoyable. I thought the children may like it.”

Tori laughed. “So why is it on this island and not on the mainland?”

“I’m testing it.”

“So they aren't disappointed?”

He looked away. “Yes.”

She looked over at him as she continued to swing. “Well, I’m not disappointed! We need to find a tree on the shore to use.”

Piers nodded and watched her with a fond expression as she swung back and forth. “Do you like it?”

“I love swings! You can control how fast you go, how high.” Tori beamed. “The swinging is relaxing! We should get a hammock.”

“Hammock?”

Perhaps they aren’t popular yet. Tori slowed her swing. “I’ll have one made and we’ll put it here. You’ll like it. It’s relaxing. It’s like a big, net swing you can fit your whole body on.” Piers nodded. Tori remained seated as the swing moved in a small circle. She looked at him as her hands held on to the rope on either side of her. “Are you upset about not being able to dance?”

Piers lowered his eyes. “If I was better, you would have more fun.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t like people and loud noises,” Piers said. “I stayed inside and didn’t get involved. Axton always had to stay with me and he couldn't socialize more. He is a social person. You are, too. If I was better at socializing and being around people, then you two would be able to enjoy yourselves at gatherings.”

“We choose to be social with you over others at these gatherings,” Tori said, as if it were obvious. “Axton wouldn’t stay with you if he didn’t want to. Same with me, Piers.”

His eyes scrunched up and he shook his head. “But you can’t dance if you have to stay with me.”

Did he hear me in the tent? Tori knit her brows together and then shook it. “I don’t plan on dancing with anyone else. No one is going to force me.”

“You’re not disappointed?”

“I like to dance, but it’s not something I need to do whenever the opportunity arises,” Tori said. “Besides, it’s more fun to dance with people you know. My friends and I are considering going out to do that one day. It'll be more enjoyable than dancing with strangers.”

“Can I come?”

“If you want, but it will be crowded and loud,” Tori said. She cracked a smile and leaned forward, her face softening as she looked up at him. “Piers, if you want to dance with me, it’ll be better if it’s just the two of us.”

“Is this where your comcry is!” A loud voice broke through their peaceful conversation, and she turned and saw Sebastian approaching them. She let out a tired breath and slumped forward. “Because this doesn’t look like your tent!”

“I saw him and stopped to chat.” Tori stood up and walked towards her brother. “Did you come to find me?”

“I was worried.” Sebastian drew her under one arm and pulled her towards him, sending a glare at Piers over the top of her head.

Tori let out a small huff. “Worried about what?” Was it because no knights were escorting them out on the islands?

“At first, him,” Sebastian said in a low voice. He maneuvered Tori away. She opened her mouth to assure him that Piers was harmless. “But now, you.”

She jerked her head back and looked at him. “Me?”

“Tori,” her brother said as he gave her a serious look. “You must be more conscious of your words and actions. You’re too young to be seducing people.”