The Great Hunt

by Higgins,Wendy

  No, he could not explain that to Tiern. His brother might keel over from shock to find out Paxton was capable of such thoughts and feelings. Indeed, Paxton was even astounded at himself.

  He turned at the sound of footsteps in the sand. Harrison and the three Zandalee joined him in the surf.

  “If I do not kill something soon,” Zandora said, “I will need to fight.” She rubbed a fist into her palm.

  Paxton held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. I’ve had my brawl. You’ll have to pummel Harrison here.”

  The lieutenant laughed. “Have the healer at the ready for me!”

  Zandora punched Paxton’s arm. “Who did you fight?”

  “Volgan.”

  Her eyes gaped wide and she punched him again. “I miss all the fun! Did he bleed?”

  “We both bled.”

  “Who shed more?” By the seas, her eyes were hungry for details.

  “Paxton was declared the winner,” Harrison told her.

  A rustle sounded from the trees, a squirrel jumping from branch to branch, showering the ground with colorful foliage. Paxton heard a whiz and the squirrel was suddenly falling to the ground, a shining arrow through it.

  Zandora lowered her bow. “I feel better. A little.”

  Paxton grinned as Zandora stomped away with her sisters, grabbing up the impaled rodent on her way.

  Harrison shook his head. “Remind me to stay on her good side.”

  “Bloody right.”

  They walked in silence, a strange unspoken tension between them.

  Paxton was relieved to return to his tent, where Tiern had wound himself tightly in his blankets with his face to the wall. Paxton sighed quietly to himself and climbed onto his own cot. He looked at each of his fingers and thumbs—the paint was still intact, so for now he would stay. He would play it day-by-day, though it was more reckless than he cared to be.

  He fell asleep, dreaming unwillingly of coconut and berry breezes.

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  ..................................................................

  Chapter

  35

  The view from Aerity’s window showed the trees had lost half their leaves, though the temperature was unseasonably warm and sunny. The princess left off her shawl when Vixie came to her chamber, asking her to visit the stables for a ride. She donned her leather riding pants, the sturdy material exquisitely soft and thin, with boots and a cream-colored tunic. They found Wyneth in the hall in her riding outfit as well.

  “You’re joining us?” Aerity couldn’t help the grin that stretched across her face when Wyneth nodded.

  “I heard there were no beast sightings last night,” Vixie said.

  Aerity and Wyneth both nodded, quiet. The princess feared what would come of Lochlanach if the creature wasn’t destroyed soon.

  Guards surrounded them as the girls came to the stables and mounted their saddled horses. Wyneth and Aerity trotted their girls around a ring, Aerity’s legs still sore from their all-day ride yesterday.

  “Lean in and relax,” called Vixie.

  But she couldn’t help it—she always felt so unsteady when the horses gathered speed . . . unless she was nestled against Paxton. She let the other girls move ahead without her.

  “Brilliant riding,” one of the guards called as Vixie blew past him.

  Aerity and Wyneth finished after an hour and led their horses to the stables, where they found the Zandalee women readying their large steeds. The leader, Zandora, gave Aerity a nod.

  “It is a fine day for riding,” Aerity said in Zorfinan.

  “Jes.” Zandora mounted gracefully, along with the two others. She wondered what their hair looked like since they always kept it covered. It gave them a sense of mystery. “Your climate is strange. Hot one day. Cold the next.”

  Aerity laughed. “Aye. As temperamental as a redhead.”

  Now it was Zandora’s turn to laugh. She looked out at the forest of maroons, oranges, and yellows, mixed with evergreens. “But your trees, they are very beautiful. We have nothing like that.” Before Aerity could respond, Zandora dug her heels into her horse’s side and was off, the others following.

  “What did she say to you?” Wyneth was watching the women ride away in awe.

  Aerity almost forgot they’d been speaking another language. “Commenting on our crazy weather.”

  “Aye, I’m sweating today.” At the sound of heavy hooves and cheers from the show ring, Wyneth smiled. “Sounds like your sister is entertaining.”

  They sent their horses off with a couple stable hands and rushed to the show ring on the far side of the stables. Sure enough, Vixie had a crowd of hunters and royal workers watching and cheering as her white horse made clean, high jumps. Vixie’s bright hair soared behind her, her face exhilarated. Aerity couldn’t help but smile.

  Vixie sped past Aerity and Wyneth on the far side, sending up a trail of dust that the girls waved from their faces. As the dust settled, the princess searched the hunters and felt a pang of worried disappointment at the absence of Paxton. Had he left? Her stomach dropped at the possibility, but then she saw Tiern, who was far too happy for a boy who’d been abandoned by his brother. Paxton must be around somewhere.

  Tiern watched avidly, cheering with a wide smile as Vixie took to the far path of the ring and began her aerial routine. This part always made Aerity nervous.

  Vixie’s instructor called out careful praises as Vixie balanced herself on the moving horse, holding the saddle’s special handles with her hands and angling her elbows to the center. She raised one leg, toe pointed perfectly, and then the other, until she was doing a handstand atop the cantering animal. Wyneth and the hunters clapped wildly while Aerity held her breath until her sister was safely seated in the saddle again.

  Tiern whistled through his fingers.

  “It’d be a bit awkward if that one kills the beast, wouldn’t it?” Aerity mused. “Seeing as how he fancies my sister so?”

  When Wyneth didn’t answer, Aerity looked at her. Wyneth seemed pale as she stared across the ring. She turned and gave Aerity a rather sad smile. “Aye. Indeed.”

  Aerity looked across to where her cousin had been staring and saw Lord Lief Alvi turn his head away.

  “That one, too,” Aerity said quietly.

  “What?”

  Aerity found Wyneth’s worried eyes. “Nothing, love.” She squeezed Wyneth’s hand. “I’m going to take a walk.”

  “May I join you?” She sounded keen to get away.

  “Of course.”

  They walked arm in arm up the sunny path past the commons, two guards close behind.

  “I haven’t seen Harrison today,” Wyneth remarked.

  The thought of their friend warmed her. “Probably napping in his tent. That lad can fall asleep anywhere at any time.”

  Wyneth giggled. “Aye.”

  As they approached the commons gates, Aerity stole a peek through the bars. Her stomach flipped at the sight of Paxton’s strong back, pulling back his bow and releasing it in perfect measure, hitting the bull’s-eye. He surely must have heard their approach, but he didn’t turn, nor did Aerity call out. She was glad to see he was still present—for how long, she didn’t know.

  The fact that he avoided her should have surprised her after their kiss, but it didn’t. Aerity now understood why he’d been so reluctant to let her in. She could even understand why he wouldn’t want to marry her and be tied to the spotlight in which she lived.

  Aerity felt herself slump with the emptiness of her future, her skin dampening with sweat under the heat of the sun. She moved away from the gates.

  “Are you all right?” Wyneth asked quietly, pulling her closer.

  Aerity shook her head, unable to lie to her cousin.

  “What do you need?” Wyneth asked. “What can I do?”

  “Nothing,” she whispered. There was nothing anyone could do to ease the burning weight i
n her chest.

  “Why don’t we visit the bay tip? We haven’t done that in ages.”

  “All right,” Aerity said without much enthusiasm.

  A nearby guard stepped up. “Your Highness, I’m very sorry, but you’re not to enter the woods.”

  Aerity frowned. “We rode through woods yesterday, and these are within royal lands.”

  “His majesty only allowed yesterday’s excursion because you were surrounded by soldiers and hunters.”

  Raging seas! Aerity wanted to curse everything. The bit of woods they’d have to walk through to get to the bay tip was fairly short and had a wide path.

  Beyond the guards, a group of hunters surrounding Vixie ambled up the path to enter the commons, their loud voices carrying. Vixie caught sight of them down the walk and called out, waving. She ran in their direction, followed by her guard and Tiern.

  Wyneth turned to the guards. “Might we go if hunters escort us with their weapons?”

  Aerity groaned. “Never mind. It’s not necessary.”

  “I think it is. You’re so tense I think you’ll crack.”

  Wyneth was one to talk. What Aerity really wanted right now was time away from reality, but that could never happen. Being surrounded by hunters, guards, and her beautiful sister and cousin were only serving to remind her of her predicament.

  “What say you?” Wyneth asked the guards.

  The older and younger guard looked at each other, as the higher-ranked guard responded. “If several hunters will accompany us, that should be fine. But we’ll need to send word to the castle.”

  Wyneth nodded.

  Vixie slowed her run as she got closer, her cheeks red and her smile huge.

  “What’re you doing? Going for a walk? May we join you?” We, Aerity noted. Vixie was coupling herself with Tiern, and it made Aerity’s neck tighten. This could end badly for her sister, and she didn’t want to see that happen.

  “We wish to go to the bay tip,” Wyneth told Vixie.

  “But Father requires us to have an entire army of guards and hunters surrounding us,” Aerity added.

  Vixie turned to Tiern. “You don’t mind escorting us to the tip of the bay, do you?”

  “Of course not. It’d be my pleasure.” His boyish grin made Vixie positively glow. “I’ll go get Pax and my bow.”

  Aerity opened her mouth to object, but he was already jogging away. She was on the verge of calling off this nonsense and turning back, maybe holing up inside her chambers with a book for the rest of the day. She’d only wanted a quiet stroll with Wyneth, but instead it was turning into an event. Moments later her eyes snagged on a brown head and firm shoulders. Paxton was walking toward them, accompanied by Tiern and Harrison, whose short hair managed to stick up on one side.

  “Definitely napping,” Wyneth said, making Aerity laugh.

  But her mirth fell away when she found Paxton’s serious eyes on her. A swarm of buzzing filled her belly.

  Wyneth groaned under her breath, an almost imperceptible sound. Aerity looked up to see the broad Lord Alvi joining the other men.

  “Yes, everyone join us!” Vixie called.

  “Where to?” Lord Alvi asked.

  “We’re strolling down to the tip of the bay,” Vixie said.

  The hunters joined them, setting down the path—all except Harrison, who wore an uncharacteristically dark expression. Aerity and Wyneth both stopped.

  “Won’t you join us?” Wyneth asked.

  Harrison stared at the backs of the other three hunters, lips pursed. “I think I’ll stay.”

  Aerity reached for his hand. “Are you certain?”

  He gave her fingers a quick squeeze and released. “Aye. Just . . . be careful. Both of you.” His eyes darted to the other men before landing on Wyneth.

  Her cousin’s cheeks bloomed with color as she broke from his gaze.

  “We’ll be careful,” Aerity promised him.

  Harrison ran a hand over his cropped hair and left them to return to the commons.

  “What was that about?” Aerity asked. “Did he have a row with one of the other men?”

  “Nay, he’s grumpy when he’s tired.” But Wyneth appeared flustered. “Let’s just relax. Okay?”

  Aerity rushed to catch up as Wyneth jogged down the path toward the two guards, Paxton, Tiern, Lief, and Vixie. The elder princess felt the opposite of relaxed. Vixie and Tiern tramped ahead, while the rest of them followed in awkward silence.

  Aerity mumbled to her cousin, “For someone who was so against this hunt, Vix certainly seems fine with it now.”

  Wyneth pursed her lips in worry as she gazed at Vixie’s back.

  Eventually Aerity let herself enjoy the peace of the forest and warmth of the air, trying her hardest not to skim peeks at Paxton and the messy way he’d tied back his hair. Her hands itched to tidy it up for him. She also pretended not to notice how Lord Alvi continued to throw covert glances at Wyneth, who stared straight ahead, unflinching. When the Ascomannian lord caught Aerity watching, he jerked his head forward again as if he’d been scolded.

  After fifteen minutes, the trees gave way to open land and skies, and an abundance of shimmering water stretching outward. Vixie began pointing. “This is the entrance to Lochlanach Creek. And see that bit of land out there? That’s the tip of the peninsula, so all of that over there is the bay. And then those two—”

  “Isle of Loch and Red Crab Island,” Paxton finished for her.

  He speaks, thought Aerity, just not to me.

  They all stared out at the strips of barrier islands that protected their coast, along with hundreds of others farther out.

  “I see a building on that one,” Lord Alvi said, pointing at the Isle of Loch. “It’s inhabited?”

  The others shook their heads.

  “It was used to store trade goods from the outer islands,” Aerity explained. “But it was damaged in a hurricane ten years ago.”

  “I recall that gale,” Lord Alvi mused. “It reached its hand clear up to our seaboard. Nasty one, that was.”

  Aerity remembered bits of being rushed down into the cellars, Vixie a toddler, and her mother very pregnant with Donubhan. The entire royal family had packed in. Even through the stones, they could hear the howling winds. To Aerity and Wyneth it had felt like an adventure. But lives and businesses were lost while she sat on the cold, stone floor playing pick-up sticks with Wyn.

  Now Aerity watched Paxton’s back as he crossed his arms and stared out at the waterways. Vixie and Tiern began to search for hermit crabs along the shoreline. Lord Alvi took off his vest and boots, walked into the water to his waist, and dived in. Wyneth kept her back to him. The guards ignored all of this, surveying the woods behind them warily.

  When Lord Alvi came up, shaking his hair, Aerity wanted to ask if the water was cold, but she knew his idea of cold was much different from hers. She wanted to enjoy the outing and the weather, but she couldn’t. All around her were the constant reminders of what each of them could not have.

  She felt a sourness deep inside her, threatening to make her cry at any moment. She shuffled through the sand and pebbles, walking over soft mounds of seaweed, and eventually sat on a rock next to Wyneth.

  “I need to lie down,” Aerity said. “My head is splitting.”

  “Here, let me.” Wyneth reached up as if to massage her neck, but Aerity moved away, laughing.

  “Nay, Cousin, you pinch.”

  Wyneth giggled and lifted the hair from her own neck. “I can’t believe how warm it is.”

  They stared out at small waves, the tide buffered by barrier islands.

  Deep in the woods behind them came the sounds of movement—the crackle of twigs and rustle of leaves. Aerity and Wyneth stood at once, and five bows were swiftly drawn, arrows pointed at the tree line. The men spread, shielding the unarmed royal lasses.

  “Seas, no, please,” Wyneth begged, grasping Aerity’s hand with all her might. The princess’s stomach had risen into her throat. />
  In seconds, a small figure came bursting from the trees, laid eyes on the hunters and guards, then gave a loud yelp and fell back, covering his face with an arm. It was a page boy from the castle.

  One of the guards yanked him to his feet. “Deep’s sake, son, you almost got yourself killed. Call out next time!”

  “Aye,” said the boy, looking around warily as the bows lowered. “The king sends message to remind the princesses and lady to be back by dusk.”

  Aerity rolled her eyes. As if they needed a reminder. As if they could forget the dangers for a moment—oh, how she craved that.

  “We’ll have them back,” the guard promised, and shoved the lad gently back toward the woods. “Rush back now, don’t dawdle in the forest.”

  Tiern and Lord Alvi both chuckled, and a sense of relief blew through their group.

  Aerity felt even hotter now after the scare. She gazed longingly at the water.

  “Remember when we used to race to the barrier islands?” Aerity mused.

  Wyneth laughed. “We were well matched, weren’t we? It’s as if we took turns winning.”

  Truth be told, they’d never been competitive with each other. Those races were for fun, and she missed those days of childish wiles.

  “You swam to those islands?” asked a deep voice beside them.

  The girls looked up into the handsome face of Lord Alvi, his glistening skin on full display. Wyneth quickly averted her sight back to the water.

  “Aye, it’s not that far,” Aerity said.

  He nodded. “I could make that in a blink. It’s just that most Ascomannian women don’t swim, so you’ll forgive me for finding it hard to imagine the two of you out there.” His smile was so dashing that Aerity’s breath caught, and then his words hit her.