The Great Hunt (Eurona Duology, #1)(22)
Paxton almost laughed. “Don’t believe everything you hear from these hotheads. They’ll try to intimidate.”
“That’s a good idea. . . .” Tiern thought. “I could start a rumor about how we had to take down a twelve-point buck on a rampage with only our daggers.”
Paxton chuckled. “How about we ignore the ridiculous politics of the hunt and just kill the grizzly boar, aye?”
“Fine. Rob all the fun from it, won’t you,” Tiern said with a smile.
In a way, Paxton agreed with his mother, and wished his brother hadn’t wanted to participate. Tiern was a good hunter, but he was still na?ve in so many ways. Paxton understood his mother’s fear for the lad, though he would never crush Tiern’s confidence by saying so. From what he’d heard of this beast, it was strong beyond belief and its skin was hard to penetrate. The last thing Paxton wanted was be distracted by worry over his brother while they were facing down the monster. But he knew Tiern was capable of being serious when necessary.
“High seas!” Tiern shouted as he jumped to his feet and pointed. “It’s the king!”
Paxton shielded his eyes against the angle of the sun, and, sure enough, the king was walking along the balcony, with its ornate pillars of stone, that overlooked the west commons area. He was flanked by several heavily armed men. All through the commons, Paxton saw guards dispersing themselves through the crowd, eyeing the hunters.
“Brave hunters of Eurona!” called one of the king’s advisers from the ledge above. “I respectfully ask that you lower all weapons to the ground while His Majesty King Charles Lochson speaks.”
Paxton reluctantly obeyed. The king stepped forward, the sun glinting off his gold crown.
Paxton had been expecting an arrogant man with cruelty in his eyes, but he saw none of that. This man appeared to hunch with fatigue. His eyes, lined with dark circles, glistened with emotion. It somewhat annoyed Paxton, who didn’t care for surprises. He had his reasons for not liking royalty, or many other people for that matter. Reasons he wouldn’t share with anyone. Ever.
Reasons only his late grandmother understood.
“Welcome, each of you, to the kingdom of Lochlanach,” King Charles said in a powerful voice. Paxton and the other men squinted in the midday sun above the king. “I am honored and grateful that so many brave men have responded to my proclamation. Our kingdom is in dire need of your expertise. Throughout the day my men who have faced the great beast will be among your ranks to share their experiences and provide insight. Maps of the land are available. You will each be fed and housed here in these quarters until the waterlands are freed of the beast. I have no doubt that one of you will achieve this feat of greatness and reap the rewards.”
A roar tore from the crowd. Tiern punched the sky and hollered his own war cry. Paxton never took his eyes from the king.
“And to the one who does . . .” King Charles paused, and turned to gesture behind him, as Paxton felt the breath he was drawing stop short. “I would like to introduce you to my daughter Princess Aerity . . . whose hand you will have in marriage.”
Was it Paxton’s imagination, or did the king’s voice falter?
A hush fell over the hunters as a shocking beauty walked gracefully to the king’s side. He put an arm around her slender shoulders, and she moved close, fitting her own arm around her father’s waist before eyeing the crowd somewhat shyly. She certainly didn’t look as if she hated her father for being willing to give her away.
“High seas,” Tiern whispered.
Paxton stared at the girl. Like her father, she was devoid of the haughtiness he expected to see from someone who lived a life of privilege. Around her head she wore a small golden circlet, which held a sapphire in the center of her forehead that sparkled like the sea. Her arm seemed to cling to her father with nervousness, though her face appeared assured and resolved. The princess’s act of kindness was well played.
A breeze lifted her strawberry blond strands, which fell gently back against her waist. Tiern whispered something else, but it was lost in the wind. Princess Aerity was the very image desires were made of. Her silken cream dress was cinched at her waist, accentuating her femininity.
“You don’t live with the looks,” his mother had always told him. “You live with the personality, so try and be pleasant. And choose a girl with a loving heart.”
Paxton wasn’t here for the girl anyhow. He was here to kill the beast that terrorized his people. Despite whatever show the king and princess were putting on for them, he had no doubt she was a spoiled lass, probably incapable of passion for anything other than herself. Paxton would not be fooled. He would do as he must to keep his family healthy and at peace.
But, seas alive, she was sweet on the eyes. He unabashedly took his fill.
As the king turned to escort his daughter from the balcony, Paxton caught his brother’s starstruck eyes.
“I think I’m in love, Pax.”
He grabbed his younger brother around the neck and ground a knuckle into his head, pulling hair from his perfect ponytail.
“Gerrof me! Not the hair!”
Paxton chuckled, but let out a grunt when Tiern put a fist in his stomach. Tiern was smiling as Paxton released him. The boy’s hair stuck out everywhere.
“You always were a fool for a pretty face,” Paxton told him.
“And gorgeous hair,” Tiern added. “And perfect curves. Don’t forget those.” He pulled the leather strap from his hair and smoothed the strands back again.