Honestly, Vixie tired of his rant and began daydreaming, envisioning Aerity gallivanting about the lands, her hair blowing behind her, free as can be. The lucky cow.
Wyneth had shot from the room the moment the meetingended, leaving Vixie unable to question her.
Well, fine. If Aerity could rebel, then Vixie could break a few rules as well. She would go to the stables and ride, despite her father’s warnings. The second beast had been killed and guards swarmed the royal lands. Other than Aerity’s “disappearance,” things were uneventful at that moment. They’d appeased the madwoman’s first demand, but Vixie knew more was to come. She had to take advantage of the peace and quiet now while she could. So Vixie changed into riding clothes, already cheered at the idea of seeing her horse, Ruspin.
Four guards flanked her as she stepped from the castle into the chilly air. That was two more guards than usual. Her father probably put an extra watch on her in case she tried to follow her sister.
He knew her well.
As Vixie neared the royal stables she spotted men over at the guest stalls. At the sight of a lad with his brown hair pulled back neatly at the nape of his neck, she put a hand against her stomach . . . everything inside her stopped dead and then began to dance.
“Tiern!” Vixie ran.
Her guards shouted from behind her—“Princess!” “Your Highness!”—as they chased, but she ignored them.
Tiern’s cocoa-brown eyes widened when he saw her, then became alarmed at the flock of guards running behind her. But she flung herself into his arms anyhow, laughing.
His hands touched her back for one second before a guard yelled, “Hands to yourself, lad!”
Tiern’s hands went straight up, and he chuckled. “All right, then. No touching.”
“He’s one of the hunters,” Vixie reminded the guards, releasing him. “Don’t you remember?” She beamed up at Tiern, but his attention kept shifting to the men, two of whom had drawn their swords.
Vixie stepped away from him and put her hands on her hips. “He’s perfectly harmless. You can put away your weapons.” Then she turned back to Tiern and waved a hand at the guards as if he should pay them no mind.
Again he chuckled nervously, unable to ignore the men as easily as the princess, but after a moment he seemed to focus on Vixie and relax.
“What brings you back to royal lands?” she asked.
“I received a message from Lord Alvi and Lieutenant Gillfin about another beast, but I heard on my way here that it had been killed. Still, I thought I should come in case I’m needed again. I’ll most likely stay at an inn at the local village until things settle down and the Rocato woman is found.”
“Nonsense.” Vixie couldn’t stop smiling. “I shall see about getting you a room in the guest quarters of the castle!”
His eyebrows rose. “But—”
“Come on!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him past the glaring guards, who followed closely. When one cleared his throat menacingly, Tiern dropped her hand and gave a bashful shrug.
“This place is nearly deserted,” Tiern noted as they passed the market.
“Aye,” Vixie said sadly. They slowed their pace and walked side by side. “The markets reopened today, but as you can see only half of the normal trade tables are occupied, and even less than half of the normal customers have shown. Everyone is afraid since a Lashed One killed a woman in front of the castle . . . and of course there was the second beast.”
Tiern nodded. “Tell me of it.”
Vixie told Tiern all that had happened in his absence until they stopped at the west steps of the castle. She desperately wanted to tell him about Aerity, but the guards were standing too close, and she wasn’t supposed to speak of it to anyone outside the family.
The doors swung open and they looked up to see Lord Alvi. The breeze blew his hair back and he stuck out his chest to take in the fresh air. Vixie held back a giggle as his eyes lowered to her, then Tiern, and narrowed.
“Ah, if it isn’t the Seabolt lad.” Lord Alvi came down the steps, and the guards backed slightly away, a show of their respect for the man.
He and Tiern made a show of grasping hands and clutching each other’s forearms.
“I haven’t seen you or your brother since that fateful day,” Lord Alvi said in a low tone.
Tiern’s face became hard and serious. “Aye.”
“Any word from him?” Lord Alvi asked.
“Nay.” Tiern’s eyes faltered to Vixie and then looked out at the sea. She swore she saw pain in those depths, and it made her ache for him. Something had happened with his brother,but nobody would tell her. Aerity loved the older lad Pax; of that she was certain. And he’d fled when he lost her hand to the Ascomannian lord. Vixie hated that it had to be that way. Tragic.
