The Great Hunt (Eurona Duology, #1)(73)

The truth hit Paxton’s chest with powerful force, but he couldn’t admit it to his brother. Yes, he wanted Aerity, but in reality he felt he could not have her. If he couldn’t have her, he wanted none of these other hunters to claim her either. Perhaps it was selfish, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t stand the thought of any of these men, including his own brother, smelling her scented skin or tasting her soft lips as he had. If he killed the beast and forfeited his “prize,” it would baffle everyone, and perhaps even bring the royal family a moment of shame, but it would leave Aerity free to choose of her own accord.

No, he could not explain that to Tiern. His brother might keel over from shock to find out Paxton was capable of such thoughts and feelings. Indeed, Paxton was even astounded at himself.

He turned at the sound of footsteps in the sand. Harrison and the three Zandalee joined him in the surf.

“If I do not kill something soon,” Zandora said, “I will need to fight.” She rubbed a fist into her palm.

Paxton held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. I’ve had my brawl. You’ll have to pummel Harrison here.”

The lieutenant laughed. “Have the healer at the ready for me!”

Zandora punched Paxton’s arm. “Who did you fight?”

“Volgan.”

Her eyes gaped wide and she punched him again. “I miss all the fun! Did he bleed?”

“We both bled.”

“Who shed more?” By the seas, her eyes were hungry for details.

“Paxton was declared the winner,” Harrison told her.

A rustle sounded from the trees, a squirrel jumping from branch to branch, showering the ground with colorful foliage. Paxton heard a whiz and the squirrel was suddenly falling to the ground, a shining arrow through it.

Zandora lowered her bow. “I feel better. A little.”

Paxton grinned as Zandora stomped away with her sisters, grabbing up the impaled rodent on her way.

Harrison shook his head. “Remind me to stay on her good side.”

“Bloody right.”

They walked in silence, a strange unspoken tension between them.



Paxton was relieved to return to his tent, where Tiern had wound himself tightly in his blankets with his face to the wall. Paxton sighed quietly to himself and climbed onto his own cot. He looked at each of his fingers and thumbs—the paint was still intact, so for now he would stay. He would play it day-by-day, though it was more reckless than he cared to be.

He fell asleep, dreaming unwillingly of coconut and berry breezes.











Chapter


35


The view from Aerity’s window showed the trees had lost half their leaves, though the temperature was unseasonably warm and sunny. The princess left off her shawl when Vixie came to her chamber, asking her to visit the stables for a ride. She donned her leather riding pants, the sturdy material exquisitely soft and thin, with boots and a cream-colored tunic. They found Wyneth in the hall in her riding outfit as well.

“You’re joining us?” Aerity couldn’t help the grin that stretched across her face when Wyneth nodded.

“I heard there were no beast sightings last night,” Vixie said.

Aerity and Wyneth both nodded, quiet. The princess feared what would come of Lochlanach if the creature wasn’t destroyed soon.

Guards surrounded them as the girls came to the stables and mounted their saddled horses. Wyneth and Aerity trotted their girls around a ring, Aerity’s legs still sore from their all-day ride yesterday.

“Lean in and relax,” called Vixie.

But she couldn’t help it—she always felt so unsteady when the horses gathered speed . . . unless she was nestled against Paxton. She let the other girls move ahead without her.

“Brilliant riding,” one of the guards called as Vixie blew past him.

Aerity and Wyneth finished after an hour and led their horses to the stables, where they found the Zandalee women readying their large steeds. The leader, Zandora, gave Aerity a nod.

“It is a fine day for riding,” Aerity said in Zorfinan.

“Jes.” Zandora mounted gracefully, along with the two others. She wondered what their hair looked like since they always kept it covered. It gave them a sense of mystery. “Your climate is strange. Hot one day. Cold the next.”

Aerity laughed. “Aye. As temperamental as a redhead.”

Now it was Zandora’s turn to laugh. She looked out at the forest of maroons, oranges, and yellows, mixed with evergreens. “But your trees, they are very beautiful. We have nothing like that.” Before Aerity could respond, Zandora dug her heels into her horse’s side and was off, the others following.

“What did she say to you?” Wyneth was watching the women ride away in awe.

Aerity almost forgot they’d been speaking another language. “Commenting on our crazy weather.”

“Aye, I’m sweating today.” At the sound of heavy hooves and cheers from the show ring, Wyneth smiled. “Sounds like your sister is entertaining.”

They sent their horses off with a couple stable hands and rushed to the show ring on the far side of the stables. Sure enough, Vixie had a crowd of hunters and royal workers watching and cheering as her white horse made clean, high jumps. Vixie’s bright hair soared behind her, her face exhilarated. Aerity couldn’t help but smile.