Rozaria waved a hand and rolled her eyes. “I said no such thing. I merely gave you an account of her appearance.”
“Is she beautiful?” the prince asked him.
Paxton had never wanted to put an arrow through someone’s head at close range until that moment. Why in the deep, dark seas was he asking this? Paxton wanted to say that Aerity was hideous, anything to keep him away from her.
“I suppose beauty is subjective,” Paxton said. “Some might call her beautiful.”
Prince Vito laughed, a high, creeping sound like a strangling vine. “Ah, a politician.”
“Nay, Your Majesty. A simple man who prefers a lower-maintenance, more natural beauty from his women.”
Rozaria sent him a seductive grin, as if pleased by his suggested slight against a royal Lochson.
“I can handle a demanding woman if she is beautiful,” Prince Vito said.
Paxton could choke him with his bare hands. The satisfaction of it would last a lifetime. But it would mean he’d have to get within reach of the prince’s hands, which were quite possibly the most deadly weapon there was. He didn’t move.
“How well do you know her?” the prince asked. Paxton hated the laziness of the man’s voice.
“We spoke a few times, always surrounded by guards, so nothing in depth. I have seen her interact with Lashed, always surprisingly openly and without fear. I was there with her the night she and Rozaria . . . met. And the beast was killed.”
“So you would say that the princess trusts you, yes?”
Paxton’s pulse was wild in his throat. “Yes. I would believe so.”
“That is good.” The prince stared at him with uncomfortable intensity. “We will use you to get into the castle.”
Paxton nodded, his pulse out of control.
Rozaria shifted and spoke. “We do not foresee a problem taking over royal lands, but the castle will be heavily secured. If we send you in first, and have you on the inside to let us in . . .” She spread her hands as if enough had been said. Again, Paxton nodded. This was perfect. It would get him inside to warn the others and possibly get them to safety.
“Of course. I will help in any way I can.”
She grinned at the prince, who continued to stare at Paxton.
“Why does your heart beat so hard?” the man asked. Paxton blinked in surprise, and the prince said, “I can feel it in your energy.”
He could feel Paxton’s pulse? The kind of power that must be in this man’s blood was unreal.
“I suppose I’m . . . excited, Your Majesty.” Paxton rubbed his sweating palms on the knees of his breeches. “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
Prince Vito linked his long fingers together on his lap and Paxton couldn’t help but stare at those purpled nails as the prince responded.
“Freedom from the oppression of Unlashed rulers is upon us. Things will finally be as they should. First Lochlanach, then Toresta, Zorfina, and lastly Ascomanni. Though we may simply have to kill that entire kingdom of tyrants.”
Paxton gave a humorous snort at his irony. If ever there’d been a tyrant, it was the prince himself. But he said, “Aye. There is not much hope for the coldlands. I nearly broke my hand on one of their noses during the hunt.”
The prince let out his chilling laugh again. “Shame you couldn’t have just killed them all while nobody was looking. All their supposed warriors. Those people are nothing but muscle and hate.”
“Soon enough,” Rozaria crooned.
“Yes, Cousin.” Cousin? Prince Vito patted her hand. “Soon enough. And the princess is just the tool I need to gain the trust of the Lochlan people. When I make her my queen, we will join lands, and nobody can question the validity of my rule.”
Paxton tried to swallow the bile that had risen in him, but it stuck. He had to kill them. Right now. He stared at their hands, wondering how quick their reflexes were. He had never killed a person before. It would take him a long moment to find their hearts and stop them. But these two . . . they could kill him in less time than it would take him to blink.
Paxton sat back and met the prince’s sinister eyes. He gave the man a nod. He could not kill them now. He would get to the castle first and get Aerity to safety. He would never let this man near her.
Never.
Chapter
32
Wyneth had been up since before the sun, patiently awaiting the moment when Aerity would be awake so she might speak with her. She hurried down the hall with Furball lumbering along behind her on his giant paws—she no longer bothered with the pretense of the rope leash—and hordes of guards in front of Aerity’s wing made a path for them. Wyneth got to Aerity’s chambers just as her maid was coming out with the laundry.
“My lady,” Caitrin said with a curtsy.
Wyneth inclined her head. “Good morning, Caitrin.”
“Wyn!” Aerity’s eyes brightened as she came out of her chambers. And then her eyes bulged at the sight of Furball. “Great raging seas!”
Wyneth rushed in and closed the door behind her. “I know. Try having him sleep in your bed.”
“He doesn’t!”
“He does,” Wyneth admitted. “Let’s just say there’s no need for a fire with this one curled up against your back.”
Aerity did not look like she enjoyed the idea of the beast cub in her bed, but Wyneth didn’t mind. She knew it sounded mad, but he gave her such comfort. She watched him fondly as he nosed his way through her cousin’s room, sniffing everything, his claws clicking and scraping against the wood floor.
“Listen, Aer, I know you’ve got your morning meetings, but I need to speak to you for a moment.” Wyneth paused, wondering if she should bother her cousin with such trivial matters when there were legitimate important issues to be dealt with. “You know what . . . never mind. It can wait.”
“What?” Aerity grabbed her arm. “Don’t you dare pique my curiosity and then say never mind!”
Wyneth loved the glow of interest in Aerity’s eyes, and she wondered if maybe a tiny distraction from the kingdom’s woes might not be such a bad thing. She glanced down the hall. The guard was out of hearing range.
“All right, then, but I’ll make it quick. Yesterday . . .” Wyneth’s mind went into a blur of warmth and confusion and guilt, the swirl of emotions that had kept her tossing and turning all night.
“Well, go on.” Aerity grasped both of Wyn’s hands now.
“Harrison kissed me!” she said in a rush.
Aerity’s face froze, and she rocked back on her heels. Then she gasped, let go of Wyneth’s hands, and slapped her palms over her mouth. Wyneth pressed her lips together, waiting for it.
“Oh, my seas!” Aerity screamed. “It was you all along!”
“What do you mean?” Wyneth laughed as her cousin danced around her, clapping her hands before stopping in front of her.
“The mystery love of Harrison’s life is solved!” Aerity sang. “He told me while we were away together, but I never suspected. What with Breckon . . .”
Both girls lost their smiles. Wyneth couldn’t look at her now. Was it wrong to feel this way for her lost love’s cousin? His best friend?
“Wyn, you don’t need to feel bad. I daresay you’d have Breckon’s blessing.”
Wyneth swallowed the onslaught of stupid tears that threatened. “Perhaps,” she whispered. “And as if things weren’t complicated enough, Lief saw us kissing and acted like a jealous ogre.”
“He has no right!”
Again, Wyneth’s heart felt as if it were stretching and collapsing, like a tug-of-war being played in her chest. The look on Lief’s face . . . She hadn’t wanted to hurt him, but the two of them were never meant to be.
“Do not feel guilty about Lief, Wyn,” Aerity said softly. When Wyneth didn’t respond, the princess went on. “I wasn’t going to tell you this, but now I think I must.”
Oh, no. Wyneth looked into her cousin’s serious eyes, wondering what had happened.
“Lief slept with my maid, Caitrin.”
A bout of nausea kicked Wyneth in the stomach. It made her jealous and sad and disgusted all at once. She shook her head, unsure what to do next. Furball grunted and came over, nudging her hand until she absentmindedly scratched his head.
“I’m sorry,” Aerity said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No.” Wyneth stood taller. “I’m glad you did. I’ve known all along what Lief is like. He’s not the type to change his ways for any woman. He is who he is, and I was foolish to have allowed affections to grow between us in the first place.” Her heart absolutely ached.
Until she thought of Harrison. That familiar comfort wrapped itself around her like silk. She closed her eyes. He loved her.
“That must have been some kiss.”
When Wyneth opened her eyes, Aerity was watching her, grinning.
“I didn’t think I could ever feel that way again. I mean, I know it hasn’t been long . . . since Breckon was killed, but so much has happened since the summer. Sometimes it feels as if he’s been gone for years.”
They were quiet a moment, and then Wyneth asked, “Will you still marry Lief? Even if your parents . . .” Wyneth shook her head. “No, I know they will return. I’m sorry.”
“I still have to keep my end of the agreement,” Aerity responded quietly. “Ascomanni will make sure of it.” Aerity sighed, making Wyneth wish she could take some of that burden from her cousin’s shoulders.
“Wyn?” Aerity’s eyes looked so much older in that moment. “What if my parents don’t return? I have this terrible feeling.”
She took Aerity’s hands again. “We must continue to hope until we know for certain.”
Aerity turned to stare out at the gray morning. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this. I thought I’d have years to prepare for my role as queen. I feel unqualified.”
Wyneth could not even begin to imagine. “It’s too heavy a burden for you to have to shoulder, Aer, but you’re doing wonderfully. What happened here yesterday was nothing short of a miracle from the seas. I felt a sense of peace and excitement in the air that I haven’t felt since the summer festival, before all this madness began. You must continue to have faith and be strong.”
The weight of the burden didn’t leave Aerity’s frame, but she lifted her chin in a show of strength. “Will you accompany me to the meeting?”
“Aye. I won’t leave your side.”
“Thank you.” They took hands and headed to the door until Aerity pulled her to a stop. “And I’m happy for you. And for Harrison. You deserve each other.”
Wyneth smiled, flushing with warmth. She clicked her tongue. “Come, Furball.”
Together, the three of them left to face the day, whatever it might bring.
Chapter
33
Aerity couldn’t help but notice the tension throughout her father’s office as Harrison, Lief, and two officers filtered in—a tension that had nothing to do with the danger at hand. She held in an inappropriate smile as Harrison and Lief shifted, looking everywhere but at each other or Wyneth. Tiern and Vixie were the last to arrive. Vixie had a bow and quiver of arrows across her back.
“I see you’re staying armed these days,” Aerity admired, “even within the castle.”
“I’ve been practicing with Tiern. I just . . . I feel more comfortable having it.”
“All right, then.” Aerity moved to the map of Eurona on her father’s desk. “The eight of us will have to come up with a plan to protect the kingdom from imminent attack. We don’t know when or how, but we know it’s coming. I want another proclamation issued throughout the lands today. Homes and businesses should prepare as needed. Everyone should be on the lookout.”
“Should we hold off on the Lashed infirmaries, Your Highness?” asked Harrison.
“No. Life should proceed as normal. It could be months before the Kalorians decide to attack. Perhaps the existence of the infirmaries will deter the Rocato woman when she sees we are making changes, though I’m not counting on it.”
Harrison nodded. Aerity listened to their counsel and together they decided how many soldiers to place in which areas, mostly to protect royal lands.
“There’s simply not enough manpower to protect all the villages,” one of the officers said. Aerity swallowed her bitter disappointment. Hundreds of new, young faces had joined the army and navy after her parents were kidnapped, but their forces were still stretched too thin.
“Your Highness,” said the senior officer, “perhaps you, Princess Vixie, and Lady Wyneth should join your family on the Isle of Evie while we wait this out—”
“No,” Aerity said.
“It’s not a bad idea,” Lief interjected.
“My answer is no. Wyneth and Vixie have my blessing to go, but I must stay.”
“Absolutely not!” Vixie huffed.
“I’m not leaving you,” Wyneth said firmly. They both looked defiantly at the faces around the room, and the men did not argue. Harrison looked down and rubbed his jaw.
Aerity said to the officers, “Go. Send out the next proclamation. And have our fastest messengers deliver word to Toresta and Zorfina of our circumstances.”
When the senior officer opened the door, they saw a guard standing there, about to knock. He gave the princess a quick bow, his eyes alight.
“Your Highness, we have visitors.”
Aerity’s heart beat a heavy hammer. “Who?”
“The king and queen of Ascomanni and their council, Princess.”
Lief gave her a surprised look before bolting from the room.
Suspicion flapped through Aerity like an angry crow. She peered at Harrison. The last time foreign royalty had come to the castle, her parents had disappeared. But Harrison gave her a nod.
“They are allies,” he reminded her. “And Lief’s people. You will be surrounded by armed guards at all times. I’ll make sure of it.”
“All right.” Aerity looked at the guard. “Let them in. Have the kitchen prepare breakfast in the formal dining room. That is where we shall meet.”
The feeling of unease did not leave Aerity as she stood before the doors to the dining room, dressed in finery, an emerald heavy against her forehead. As the doors opened, she saw that Harrison had been true to his word about guards. They lined the room, but they were not alone. The Ascomanni had brought many guards of their own.
King Dagur and Queen Agnetha Vikani stood when Aerity entered, along with Lief and a couple Aerity didn’t recognize. All were wearing the finest fur-lined leather vests, with kilts and boots. Harrison and Wyneth stepped to the far end of the table. Aerity went to her father’s spot, feeling extraordinarily strange at the head of the table. Vixie took the queen’s chair at her side. Still standing, Aerity addressed the visiting king and queen.
“We meet again, King Dagur and Queen Agnetha.”
The king inclined his head. “We have much to discuss, Princess.”
“Surely you are weary from your travels. Please, accept our hospitality before we discuss any matters.”
The king looked down at his plateful of food before nodding his agreement. As they all sat, Lief remained standing.
“My lady Aerity, I give you my parents, Lord Daan and Lady Hanna Alvi.” Lord Daan was a beefier, thinner-haired version of Lief, and he gave her a lazy grin that had probably swept many women off their feet for years.
“We finally meet,” said the senior Lord Alvi.
“It is a pleasure, my lord and lady,” Aerity said. “Our kingdom owes much to your brave son.”
Lady Hanna, a formidable woman, smiled proudly up at Lief, who finally sat and sent Aerity a grateful look. The coldlanders dug into their breakfasts without further ado. Aerity tried to eat. Between small bites of eggs and sausage she sent furtive glances down the table to Wyneth and Harrison, who seemed as alert as her, not eating much. Same with Vixie at her side. Her sister was being uncharacteristically quiet, which was good.
Aerity was glad that one of the officers had been willing, and even slightly eager, to take Furball out to the gardens for a bit of exercise. She wasn’t ready to spring that surprise on their guests.
Once they’d finished their meals and the plates had been cleared away, King Dagur smoothed down his beard and crossed his hands over his belly. He eyed her closely.
“Shall we speak in front of everyone, then?”
“Aye, King Dagur. I would prefer it, if you don’t mind.”
“Fine. Any word on your parents?”
She forced strength into her voice. “Nay, sir. Not a word.”
King Dagur looked around at the tapestries that told of Lochlan history.
“Our fathers were good friends,” he murmured. “Your grandfather and my father, that is. Your papa and I used to play in this castle when we’d come to visit. He never wanted to break the rules, your father.” King Dagur grinned mischievously. “But I made him. While the kings worked, we explored every inch of this castle and beneath it. . . .”
His eyes glazed, remembering. Aerity wondered what he meant by beneath it. Surely he wasn’t speaking of the tunnels. She’d only just learned of them herself.
He sighed heavily, disrupting her thoughts. “My sources say that Kalor means to take over Lochlanach in less than a week’s time. Days, perhaps.”
Days? She tried to hide her surprise. Her own military spies had not been able to give an estimated time, but she didn’t want to admit that. Days was not good. Breathe, Aerity, breathe . . . bluff your way through this.
The king rested his elbows on the table, tenting his fingers. “I daresay your army is not prepared.”
“They are preparing as we speak.”
A slow smile came to his lips. “You put on a brave face for a young woman, but surely you must be terrified at the prospect of war.”
Responses vied in Aerity’s mind, but she chose not to say any of them.
“Would it ease your mind, Princess, if I told you my troops are ready to move on your behalf? To fight alongside your army?”
Oh, great seas, yes! Aerity wanted to press her hand to her heart and laugh at the sweet relief coursing through her, but she remained steady. She glanced at Lief, who watched her with an oddly remorseful expression of seriousness.