The Great Hunt (Eurona Duology, #1)(14)

“No,” Aerity said. They all turned to her, as if surprised by her strong tone. “Please stay. We’ve always been as one. Whatever he has to say to me can be said in front of all of you.”

Truth be told, she was frightened and took comfort in being surrounded by family. She’d no clue what this meeting had to do with her, but they were all in this together. Everyone settled again, but not one of them appeared comfortable.

“They call me the liberal king,” her father continued in that same ominous, quiet tone. “The romantic.” He looked at his wife, who gave an encouraging nod. “Because I believe in marrying for love, not lands or money or family name, the way it was for centuries before me. I promised my daughters they could choose their future husbands, just so long as the lads met our general approval.”

Everyone around the table nodded. They all knew this, and had agreed. The king had even fought his parents for his sisters to be able to marry of their own choosing. But Princess Aerity could not nod along with them. A horrible sense of trepidation had taken root inside her.

Why was he bringing up marriage? He wouldn’t even allow young men to court her until she turned eighteen next year.

“But these are desperate times,” he whispered.

Heavy sea snakes slithered in the pit of Aerity’s stomach.

“What are you saying, Charles?” Lady Ashley asked.

Again, her father looked directly at Aerity. “I must ask something of you that I never wanted. I never expected. As your father, it pains me. As your king, it is necessary.”

Her eyes burned, but she could only nod at his sincerity. Next to her, cousin Wyneth’s fingers flexed against Aerity’s, her first signs of life.

“Aerity . . .” Her father paused. “I must ask you to sacrifice the promise of love for the sake of our kingdom.”

He stared at her hard. She tried to swallow, but she could only stare back, frozen.

“I will be issuing a king’s proclamation to all five kingdoms of Eurona to send their best hunters, but I must make their journeys worthwhile. I must ensure that the strongest will be willing to face this foe. A monetary prize is not enough, and as you all know, most of the kingdom’s excess funds are wrapped up in my son’s land and youngest daughter’s dowry. Therefore, I have only one thing left to offer the man who kills this beast. I offer the hand of my oldest daughter in marriage.”

No. Spirits of the seas, no.

Princess Aerity felt heavy, unable to move or take air into her lungs. On one side of her, Vixie squeaked. On the other, Wyneth gasped. Her aunts and uncles gaped at him.

The queen leaned forward to garner Aerity’s attention, that same desperation in her eyes that the king had, her voice thick. “Please, darling, don’t think of it as sacrificing love. Who’s to say you won’t fall in love with him? I imagine he’ll be brave and . . .”

The queen had to stop and cover her mouth against the mounting emotions. Aerity felt as if she might be sick. All around the table were the shocked faces of her family, but none of their horror matched the turmoil within her. She knew she should say something, but words . . . there were no words. Her life, as she knew it, was over. Her future, and the freedom she’d imagined, was dead.

Vixie began swiping tears from her cheeks. “This isn’t fair for Aerity, Papa,” she said.

“Truly, Charles,” said Lady Ashley. “There must be another way.”

The king’s jaw set. “You don’t think I’ve thought this through? You think I came to this decision on a careless whim, Sister?”

“I think we could have discussed options as a family—”

His voice rose. “I’ve spent countless hours speaking with every able-minded adviser in the kingdom. I’ve nothing left to give! Our lands had two years of drought and two years of rotting rain. Trades are down. All land in Lochlanach is owned by commoners or claimed for our royal lines. Would you have me break off pieces of your lands as reward?” The king pushed back in his chair; the queen placed a steadying hand on his forearm.

“There’s no need to raise your voice at her,” Lord Preston said.

“I believe there bloody well is reason when I’m being accused of tossing my daughter away without a care!” He looked at Lady Ashley. “You of all people should want this beast killed.”

“Of course I want it killed!” she shouted back at him. “But this is unprecedented.”

“It cheapens the royal line,” Lord Preston added.

“How so?” the queen asked. “Because hunters are mostly villagers?” She raised her eyebrows in challenge.

“You know I have no prejudice against you or commoners, Leighlane,” Lord Preston scoffed.

“Charles, please,” Lady Faith spoke. “We know you’re under pressure. We know you wouldn’t make this decision without a care. It’s just that we’re all a bit . . . surprised. You do realize a proclamation like this could invite any vagabond, brutish, scoundrel to have a lucky shot at the beast and live out the rest of his life the castle, don’t you? And with your daughter, no less.”

The queen sucked in a breath. “Don’t be crude.”

“It’s only the truth,” Lady Faith said. “We need to discuss the reality of this situation.”

“The reality is that we’re facing a beast that we struggle to beat,” the king snapped.