I CONSIDERED MY options throughout the day, turning the facts over in my head. I was stuck here, a virtual prisoner, and the king wanted me to marry into his family. He didn’t ask me. He simply informed me—stated it as fact. The same went for Fowler. Tebald expected him to marry Maris.
I needed to find Fowler. I needed to talk to him about sorting this out. I was never alone, though. Breaking away would be a challenge, if not impossible. After the midday meal I was dragged to a rooftop courtyard on the left tower with several other nobles, where they performed an archery demonstration. I couldn’t help myself. Listening to songs of arrows, feeling the wind of the Outside on my face, the urge called to me. I took up a bow. I wasn’t as good as Fowler, but Sivo had trained me well.
They were shooting at a stuffed dummy hanging from a rope. I listened to the others, to the soft thwacks as arrows hit the target, marking the object.
Stepping up, I notched the arrow and let it fly. My chest lifted high as I hit the target, pleasure suffusing me. My hand dove for two more arrows. In quick succession, I let them each go, and both hit the mark.
Applause broke out. A warm hand closed around my elbow. “Bravo, princess.”
I turned to face Chasan. “Surprised?”
“That you are skilled with a bow and arrow? Not at all. You strike me as very capable.”
I smiled vaguely and inclined my head in thanks. “What about you? Do you shoot?”
“I can shoot, but I have no desire to do it for the entertainment of others.”
I sniffed, wondering if he meant to deliberately insult me since I had just done that very thing. In truth, I’d done it for the thrill, not to impress others. I did it for me, but I doubted that he realized that. He didn’t know me. He must have read some of my reaction, for his grip on my arm flexed. “I don’t judge you,” he added, “if that’s what you’re thinking.”
I shrugged and twisted my arm from his grip. “How you perceive me matters little.”
“No? I thought it might, all things considered.”
“You mean because your father wishes us to wed,” I finished.
“I think it’s more than a wish.”
I crossed my arms. “You think it an eventuality? Does my opinion not matter? Does not yours? What do you wish for, Prince Chasan?”
He didn’t touch me, but I felt him lean in. I felt his warm breath at my forehead, felt the heat radiating off him and knew his taller form was crowding me. “You interest me.”
Because I was so different from everyone else? That’s what he’d told me last. “Because I’m blind?” I asked, challenge in my voice.
“That’s only one part of you. I wish to know you better, Luna. Explore all parts of you.” His voice dropped, and heat slapped my face. Why did it sound like he was talking about something physical? “Are you opposed to that notion?” he continued in that purring voice. “Should we not at least grow better acquainted?”
“Yes, I could . . . tolerate that.” What else could I say? No, I’m plotting escape.
“Try not to sound too enthused.” He chuckled. “You’re very good. This is yours. Keep it.” He thrust the bow and shaft of arrows at me.
“For me?” I smoothed my hand over the polished wood, following the arch in admiration.
“Why not? You’re one of the few people who actually knows how to use it.” Almost to prove his words, another arrow was released. The shooter aimed too low and it skimmed along the ground, too close to bystanders if the sudden yelps and squawks were any indication.
“Thank you,” I said, hugging the bow and shaft of arrows close to my side.
“It’s nothing. Hardly a gift. At least not the type of present one gives to his betrothed.”
I managed a tense smile, marveling at the ease with which he accepted me as his future wife. Maybe because that’s all he ever did—follow his father’s commands.
Someone else arrived in our midst, his staccato steps stopping beside the prince. His voice was low but not inaudible to my ears. “The hunt master would like a word with you.” The servant’s steps receded, leaving us alone again. As alone as we could be on a rooftop full of people.
“You’re going out there,” I murmured. “To hunt dwellers?”
“It’s what I do.”
“I don’t understand. Why? It seems an unnecessary risk.”
“I don’t have to travel as far from the castle as I used to, to find them. More of them are coming closer to Ainswind, risking the rock terrain. After all these years, there are fewer of us for them to hunt. They’re getting bolder.” I sensed his shrug. “They need eliminating.”
“I did not think your father wanted you to leave the protection of these walls, and yet you go out on these hunts.”
“He doesn’t like it, but he accepts that I’m good at it. I haven’t died doing it yet,” he joked.