High seas, Vixie’s eyes grew and her face turned a dark shade of pink, reminding Aerity that her demure sister was less than two years younger than them, and quickly maturing.
Aerity intervened on her sister’s sputtering behalf. “I’msure you could do that stunt with your eyes closed, aye, Tiern?”
He laughed.
“He doesn’t have time for playful antics. Some of us have to work for a living.” Once again, Paxton’s words and tone struck an uncomfortable chord. Aerity eyed him, trying to figure him out. He looked her over in return, causing her heart to dance against her ribs as if the two of them were alone. She wanted to level him with a witty quip, but her mouth felt glued shut.
“We spend most of the day with dreadful tutors,” Vixie said, seeming oblivious to Paxton’s cutting remark. “The king says schooling is our job at the moment.” Aerity wished her sister would hush, but she kept on. “I just wish he’d fully lift this daytime curfew so we could visit the stables again.”
In truth, the curfew on the royal children was ridiculous, and Aerity intended to speak to her father about it at once. They’d already begun lessons again. It was time to get back to normal as much as possible.
“You like to ride?” Tiern turned his eyes to Aerity.
“Aer’s afraid of horses,” Vixie answered for her, causing Aerity to grit her teeth.
“I’m not afraid of them.”
“Only when they go fast.” Vixie bumped her hip to Aerity’s, and the older princess wanted to strangle her.
“I thought you royal lot were supposed to be as lively as dolphins, doing tricks of all manners,” Paxton said. Unlikewhen Tiern spoke, Paxton’s words felt like accusations and judgments. He stared at her with laughing eyes. If he wanted a reaction from her, he was out of luck.
“You should see Aer on the silks,” Vixie said. “She’s dazzling!”
“Enough, Vix.” Aerity was feeling uncharacteristically embarrassed, but she refused to appear rattled. “I’m sure these hunters are not interested in our pastimes.” She cleared her throat and forced her eyes to Tiern. “Lochlanach is lucky to have hardworking lads such as yourselves.”
His eyes and smile became soft and dreamy as he gazed at the older princess. “And the kingdom is lucky to have a kind, smart, talented princess such as yourself.”
Paxton crossed his arms, looking away.
Vixie abruptly piped up. “Do you plan to kill the great beast and marry my sister, then?” The girl watched Tiern with a curious expression. Tiern swallowed, his eyes darting over to Aerity. Paxton chuckled without humor.
Oh, seas. . . .
“Vixie . . .” Aerity whispered. The rest of the words eluded her. It was time to go.
A hush settled over the entire commons and men began to raise their heads to the balcony, shielding their eyes against the bright sun. Aerity’s father stood there, flanked by guards as he stared down at his three children. He found Aerity and with two fingers beckoned her to him. He appeared unamused.
“Good day to you,” Aerity said to the Seabolt brothers. Shegrabbed her brother and sister, looking around for Wyneth.
She found her cousin standing over by a table talking to none other than Lord Lief Alvi. They kept a respectable distance, Lief full of grinning confidence and Wyneth smiling shyly. Harrison stood with them, his arms crossed in silence as he watched the two of them converse. Wyneth’s eyes met Aerity’s and she said good-bye to the Ascomannian lord and Harrison before gathering her skirts and rushing to meet her cousins at the gates. Aerity sent a wave to Harrison, who only nodded. He seemed in a strange mood all of a sudden.
Donubhan and Vixie walked ahead of them, following two guards. Aerity sidled close to her cousin and they synchronized their steps.
“What were you and Lord Alvi chatting about?” Aerity whispered.
Wyneth kept her eyes on the stone walkway. “Nothing of importance. He was asking if I could do the trick as well. I had to explain that I’m not inclined toward physical talents.”
Wyneth’s primary talents were the arts, something Aerity wished she could do.
“And what about Harrison? He seemed off.”
Wyneth’s eyebrows scrunched. “Aye. He didn’t say much, but I had the distinct feeling he doesn’t much care for Lord Alvi.”
“I wonder why?”
“Protective of me, maybe. Bit of a flirt, that coldman.”
“Indeed. Lord Alvi seems . . . keen,” Aerity murmured.She wondered if the man knew Wyneth had just lost her beloved to the very beast he was hunting.
