“The boys do not have to go, Maryn, but if they choose to participate, I will not stop them.”
“Mother.” Paxton’s voice was firm, his eyes like strong mahogany as he held her gaze. He spoke with absolute conviction, and Tiern wondered if he’d ever be able to talk like that and be taken as seriously as his older brother. “I vow not to let harm come to Tiern. One of us will kill this beast and we will both return home safely. We will make you proud. Please, let us go with your blessing.”
Their mother covered her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. After a long pause, she finally nodded, letting out a whimper. Their father patted her knee, beaming at his boys.
Tiern and Paxton met gazes, the older brother giving him a nod, solidifying their partnership in this adventure. Tiern’s chest swelled with pride and excitement. The ultimate hunt. The hand of a princess. What could be better?
Chapter
8
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.