The Great Hunt (8 page)

Princess Aerity held her skirts in her fists as she ran down the stone hall of the royal quarters and burst into Lady Wyneth’s bedroom. She knew she could not face what was happening in the royal streets of castle Lochlanach without her cousin.

Lads. Men. Over a hundred of them. All potential husbands.

Aerity found her sitting in a chair in another gray gown, staring at the wall. Wyneth was fully dressed and her hair had been brushed.

“Wyn?”

Her cousin startled at the sound of her name. It broke Aerity’s heart all over again to see her vibrant friend so washed
out. Aerity slid into a crouch beside her.

“How do you feel?” Aerity asked.

Wyneth gave a weak shrug, and Aerity suddenly felt bad for bothering her. The princess dropped her eyes, fidgeting with nerves.

Wyneth sat up straighter. “They’re not here already, are they? The proclamation just went out.”

“It’s been a week. . . .” She swallowed.

“A week already?” Wyneth’s eyes cleared as they looked at each other. “Oh, Aer. Are there many?”

Aerity tried to stay calm, but all the fear and nervousness tangled together to make her voice shaky and high. “There are hundreds of them.”

“Where are they? Can we spy?” These words from Wyneth filled Aerity with relief. They’d always faced things together, practically joined at the hip.

“Aye, Cousin. I don’t think I can do this without you.”

Wyneth stood and took both Aerity’s hands in hers. “We go together.”

A grateful smile graced Aerity’s lips, the first real one since she’d agreed to this madness.

“Well, let’s go scout the lads then,” Wyneth said. Her grip on Aerity’s hand tightened. “Don’t be afraid. I’m certain one of them will be perfect for you.”

Aerity’s chest tightened. She wasn’t certain of that at all, but she appreciated the sureness in her cousin’s voice.

“I’m sure they’ll all be in love with you before the hunt
ends,” Wyneth said with false cheeriness. Aerity let out a breathy laugh, but her stomach turned at the thought of how many deaths could be wrought through this hunt.

Hand in hand, they headed toward the south covered parapet walk along the edge of the castle that overlooked the royal market. They sneaked quietly out the doors. Wyneth’s hand shielded her eyes and she let out a small sound of discomfort as they exited the arched doorway into the fresh air. With a pang, Aerity realized this was Wyneth’s first time outdoors since Breckon had died. She hooked her arm through Wyneth’s and pulled her close.

“Thank you for doing this, Wyn.”

“Always,” her cousin whispered.

As they neared the edge and peered through one of the tall embrasures, Wyneth exclaimed, “Great seas . . .”

The streets were crammed and the atmosphere was exuberant. People were smiling for the first time in months. Men of differing statures, ages, and appearances were milling about, sharpening blades and tightening bowstrings. Aerity’s heart punched the inside of her chest as her eyes raked the people.

Somewhere in that huge crowd was the hope of their kingdom . . . and her future mate.

She noticed beards and smooth faces, dark skin and light, local clothing among styles of fur and bright colors from distant lands, voices rising in foreign languages. Some of the men looked like brutes with oversized muscles and grimy outfits.
Aerity closed her eyes and tried to breathe. The idea of giving herself to some surly stranger made her ill with fright.

“Brave men.” Wyneth kept her voice quiet. She hadn’t let go of Aerity’s arm. When the princess looked at her, she saw eyes haunted by memories. Wyneth would know firsthand what those brave men would be facing. She hadn’t spoken of the beast to Aerity, but it clearly tormented her thoughts.

“Indeed,” Aerity said.

They leaned on the stone opening for several minutes before one of the town’s women caught sight of them from a booth of scarves. Aerity heard the joyous sound of murmurs from below, whispers of “Look! It’s Princess Aerity and Lady Wyneth!” Both girls stopped as hundreds of eyes turned up to them. They were accustomed to this, but today it felt different. Today, many of the eyes in the crowd were gazing up at their possible future prize. Swallowing hard and forcing a smile, Aerity raised her hand and waved. Townspeople waved back with excitement, but the strange men only stared, some grinning, some nudging each other.

When a respectable amount of time had passed, Aerity gently pulled her cousin from the ledge, out of sight. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, feeling Wyneth’s hands on her shoulders.

“Are you all right, Aerity?”

The princess was shaking, but she nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

“You’re a blessing to this kingdom, you know.” Wyneth pulled her into a hug, their heads resting perfectly on each
other’s shoulders. “I would have likely fought the king’s decision. I admire your dedication.” Wyneth had always been strong and lively—it felt good to see a glimpse of that returning and to be able to lean on her cousin once again.

“Oh, look.” Wyneth peered down over Aerity’s shoulder. “Is that Mrs. Rathbrook?”

Aerity turned to see the woman at one of the market tables that sold herbal leaves and powders. Officer Vest stood nearby, scanning the people. Aerity was just about to remark how it was nice to see Mrs. Rathbrook out, when she noticed the space around the woman. The market was crowded, but nobody was near her. In fact, people were casting her furtive, even aghast, glances, ushering their children away.

Each time Mrs. Rathbrook moved a step, the crowd shifted.

“By the seas.” Aerity scowled as she strained to watch from the distance. “Look at that.”

Mrs. Rathbrook slid her payment on the table and the unsmiling clerk tossed copper coins in front of her, yanking her hand back. The Lashed woman seemed not to notice, saying something with a kind smile and retreating with her bag. Mrs. Rathbrook walked stoically through the people, who stared as they cleared a path for her, crushing together to keep out of arm’s reach.

“Awful,” Wyneth whispered.

Aerity’s jaw was set in anger. Even the guards and military personnel gave Mrs. Rathbrook a wide berth as she made
her way through the booths. No wonder the woman kept to her own chambers most of the time.

“Pardon me, Princess and Lady.”

Aerity pulled back at the sound of one of the king’s errand boys standing in the arched doorway.

“Princess Aerity, his highness would like a word.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

He rushed off and Aerity took Wyneth’s hand again, not wanting to be alone. She made her poor cousin accompany her to her father’s study, where he spoke in hushed tones to one of his military advisers.

“Ah, Aerity,” he said when he caught sight of her. He rose from his grand chair and came around, nodding at Wyneth. “It’s good to see you about again, Lady Wyn.”

Wyneth gave a small curtsy. “It’s good to be about, Your Majesty.”

His adviser shut the door, and the four of them remained standing. Her father still showed signs of exhaustion, but his eyes gleamed with the same hope of the townspeople in the market.

“I hate to ask more of you, Aerity. . . .”

She braced herself. “What do you need, Father?”

He cleared his throat. “As you’ve surely gathered, hunters have begun arriving. We fear once the hunt begins there will be many who want to flee after they see . . .” His voice trailed off as his sights shifted to his niece, who dropped her eyes. “We would like to keep up their morale as best as possible.
We’ll be gathering the hunters in the west commons area so they may practice their skills and have a place to rest in peace after the hunt each day.” He paused, hesitating. Aerity thought he could probably face down other kings with more confidence than he had facing down his own daughter.

He continued. “It might be difficult or uncomfortable, but I was hoping you’d be willing to visit the west commons area daily. You would of course have guards, and you’re never to be alone with any of the men. Our hope is that seeing you will . . . lift the spirits of the hunters.”

And remind them of their prize.

She tried to breathe steadily, feeling embarrassed and used, reminding herself this was all for the best. She was one life among tens of thousands. Still, no matter how she reasoned with herself, her gut still churned.

She wasn’t accustomed to speaking to males outside of their family and the Gillfins. Her nerves bunched into tight bundles, making Aerity light-headed, but she managed a nod. “Of course, Father.” She knew this was not easy for him. He sounded just as afraid as she was about what kind of man she’d end up with—what kind of man they’d be welcoming into the royal family. But regardless of who he was or where he hailed from, if he killed the beast, they would owe him respect and gratitude.

“I’ve got servants setting up tents and tables and shooting ranges in the west commons area now. If you could make an appearance during the dinner hour I’d be appreciative.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Good.” The king’s adviser bustled to the desk, turning the king’s attention back to work. Aerity swallowed her emotions, and the girls slipped from the room. Wyneth shot one questioning look at Aerity, as if to gauge her thoughts.

“I’m okay,” Aerity said, letting out a long breath. “Not every girl is lucky enough to have hundreds of suitors, aye?”

Wyneth huffed a mild laugh through her nose. Then she got quiet and looked at the princess. “You don’t have to act brave on my account, you know.”

Aerity swallowed. “I know.” She had to stay brave for her own self. They stopped when they reached her bedroom door.

“You’ll come with me tonight to the west commons, won’t you, Cousin?”

Wyneth ran her fingers down a strand of Aerity’s long hair, smoothing it. “I won’t leave you. I promise.”

Aerity smiled. She could do this. With Wyneth at her side, she could resist the urge to escape her fate, to flee somewhere far away where her life and choices were her own. She’d agreed to this, and the wheels were set in motion. Running from her responsibility wasn’t an option. She would have to make the best of it.

Mrs. Rathbrook was glad to feel the sunlight on her skin for the first time in months. She needed to restock a few herbs in her cabinets. It was a fine day to be in the markets. Busy. Hunters of all nationalities filled the royal plaza, taking some of the attention off her. But not all. She could still sense the stares, though she no longer let it bother her. Years of stares had toughened her. Officer Vest remained close behind, a constant comfort.

Mrs. Rathbrook couldn’t help but glance around at the nearby men in their strange furs and head wraps, wondering which one of them might kill the beast and marry the princess. A shock of heartache filled her on princess Aerity’s behalf. The king’s decision seemed hypocritical to her, seeing
as how he refused his late parents’ wish for him to marry a princess of Toresta. Though she would never voice her opinion aloud.

As she browsed the selection of fresh, dried, and powdered herbs, someone sidled close to her side. Much closer than usual. Mrs. Rathbrook caught a flash of orange fabric from the corner of her eye.

“Good day, royal Lashed One.” The smooth, husky female voice was not Lochlan.

Mrs. Rathbrook turned her head up to the stranger, and sucked in a breath at the sight of her. Shining black hair against light brown skin. Eyes of crystal blue. A brown cloak over a silken, orange dress. The woman gave her a smile, but something about it felt . . . off. Disingenuous.

“Hello,” Mrs. Rathbrook said.

The woman glanced down at Mrs. Rathbrook’s hands, which held a satchel of coins.

“Your hands are very beautiful.”

Mrs. Rathbrook’s heart sped up. Nobody spoke openly of her lashes or her ability, in general. She withdrew her hands, hiding them within her pockets. The woman gave her that ominous smile again.

Officer Vest stepped closer, but the woman ignored him. She only had eyes for the royal Lashed One, and she obviously had something to say. Mrs. Rathbrook could not help her curiosity.

She kept her eyes on the woman as she gave a nod and said, “It’s all right, Officer Vest.”

He stepped back, giving them space.

“Your own guard,” the woman drawled. “How charming.”

Mrs. Rathbrook narrowed her eyes. “Who are you?”

“My name is Rozaria. I hail from the hotlands of Kalor.”

The name meant nothing to Mrs. Rathbrook. This woman must have accompanied the Kalorian hunters. The pleasant look never left the woman’s face, even as she spoke abrasive words.

“How does it feel to be a slave to the Lochsons?”

Mrs. Rathbrook went still. She’d never been to Kalor. Perhaps open rudeness was acceptable there, but she did not appreciate it. She lowered her voice and responded curtly.

“King Charles and his family treat me very well, thank you.” She turned back to the herbs, hoping the woman would take the hint and leave her be. No such luck.

“A comfortable room in a lavish castle, while others of your kind suffer throughout the land.”

Mrs. Rathbrook stood tall and faced the woman again. Her words had cut deep. She often thought about her own comfort compared to the despair of other Lashed, but she felt powerless to do anything about it.

“What would you have me do, Miss?” Then she remembered that Rocato, the root of prejudice against Lashed, had
been from Kalor. “Perhaps if the Lashed in your land had not pursued their greed and hatred, these issues would not be upon us.”

The woman’s eyes hardened with anger.

Officer Vest stepped forward. “I’m going to have to ask you to move along, Miss.”

The woman, Rozaria, ignored him. “You know nothing,” she hissed at Mrs. Rathbrook. “But you will soon learn.”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?”

The woman’s sneer transformed her beautiful face into something frightening. Then she briskly turned and walked from the stand, keeping her hands deep in her cloak pockets, disappearing into the multitude of bodies. Mrs. Rathbrook noticed people quickly turning their heads away when they saw her looking.

“Are you all right, Mrs. Rathbrook?” Officer Vest asked. The crinkles around his eyes were further deepened with worry. “Did she threaten you?”

Mrs. Rathbrook shook her head. She wasn’t quite sure what had just happened, but it had left her weary. “I think I’ve got all I need for now.” She kept her head down as Officer Vest walked her back to the castle, her heart burdened with the woman’s words.