His magic seized her heart and surrounded it. He sent a simple thought to halt its beat. Rozaria’s eyes widened, and she struggled to suck in a last breath. Then she went still. Paxton exhaled and slid her eyelids closed with his fingers.
“You will never hurt again,” he said softly. Relief washed cleanly through his body. He looked up at Aerity, who covered her mouth and closed her eyes, nodding.
A raucous cheer rose up from the bottom of the hill. He knew it meant all the Kalorians had been either captured or killed.
“It’s over,” Harrison said. “We’ve won this battle. Let’s hope we can take the castle and Prince Vito.”
“He’s dead.” Paxton stood and faced them.
“You’re certain?” Aerity asked as if afraid to hope.
“I killed him myself.”
Aerity watched him a moment longer and then flew into his arms, hugging him while her cousin and sister cheered. Paxton kissed the top of her head and held her close.
“Did you find out about Donnie?” she whispered to him.
“Nay,” he regretted to say. “But we will find him.”
Aerity’s arms tightened around him. She was safe for now. He’d done his job. He’d killed for her. For his land. And he would do whatever he had to do to find her brother. He didn’t want to think about what would come after that. He didn’t want to think of letting her go again. For now, he held her close.
Chapter
52
For a group who had just won a war, Princess Aerity and her companions were silent on the cold, dark journey back down to the bay. Ahead and behind them, the soldiers laughed and celebrated. Lord Alvi rode without speaking, seeming deep in thought. The deaths they had witnessed lay heavily on Aerity’s heart. She knew she should tell Vixie and Wyneth that the Isle of Evie had been overtaken. She’d sworn to her sister not to keep any more secrets. She promised herself she would tell them the moment they returned to the castle and not a moment later. She would let them have these moments of peace.
They rode for hours in the chill of darkness, until the first softness of dawn began to show itself on the horizon,revealing a frost that covered every blade of grass.
Now that the war was over, it would be time to rebuild—to rule, and live without her parents—it seemed unimaginable She would be expected to marry Lief, a thought that filled her with a sullen, sickening sort of grief. Especially after all she’d shared with Paxton.
Aerity turned to look at Pax, who rode next to her, staring ahead. In his far hand he held the reins of the horse that carried the bodies of Vito and Rozaria. It was beyond strange that those lifeless, now harmless, forms had hurt and terrorized so many. Paxton met her eyes and Aerity had to swallow and look away from the heartache she saw there. She stared out instead at the river to her right as it rambled along.
Before they reached the bay she saw a pack of Ascomannian riders approaching them at a fast clip. Aerity kicked her horse lightly and leaned forward to push through the crowd. Volgan, the warrior, greeted her with a nod.
“What news?” she asked, her heart pounding.
“Royal lands are secure. The castle as well. But Prince Vito and Rozaria Rocato are nowhere to be found. We think they may have—”
“They are dead,” Lord Alvi proclaimed. “At the hand of the hunter Paxton Seabolt.” Lief held an arm toward Paxton. Volgan stared in disbelief. Everyone turned to him, eyeing the bodies on the horse at his side, and then a deafening roar split the air. Paxton reluctantly accepted handshakes and pats on his back. But he never seemed to share their happiness.
“Let’s get the royal highnesses and Lady Wyneth back to their rightful home then, aye?” Lief called out. Another cheer and then forward movement at a faster pace as they ushered Aerity home. Vixie reached out and took Aerity’s hand, offering a smile. Aerity forced one in return.
Swept up in the festive atmosphere of the soldiers, Vixie let out a whoop and galloped forward. Aerity nearly smiled when she saw her sister bring her knees up into the saddle, tucking her body, preparing to do a trick. It had been so long since she’d seen Vixie be carefree. When Vixie balanced on her hands and forearms and lifted her pointed toes straight into the air, Aerity did smile. Because under her skirts she was wearing riding trousers.
The men laughed and cheered, absolutely entertained as Vixie split her legs and arched her back gracefully, pulling herself back down to balance on the palms of her hands, legs outstretched to the sides. She dropped her bottom back into the saddle and lay back, reaching her arms out and closing her eyes with a peaceful expression.Oh, this girl.
Aerity suddenly jolted, consumed by raw fear at the thought of her once carefree brother in the hands of Kalorians.
Aerity shot past her sister and rode up to Volgan. The man turned to her, forehead pinched.
“Good sir, my brother has been kidnapped. Did you happen upon him anywhere in the castle? Prince Vito said they had him.” Oh, seas, her entire body trembled.
“Your Majesty,” Volgan said in a gruff voice, “our vesselshave been keeping watch over the Isle of Evie since your kin were brought there. We’ve received no word of an attack, but I will check.”
“Please,” she said, only partially appeased. He galloped away toward the bay and Aerity turned to the others. Vixie rode to her side.
“What’s wrong?”
