“Then come along,” Aerity responded.
The two guards exchanged a glance and the younger one spoke up. “I’ll swim with them and you keep watch from here.”
“I’m not sure the king would approve—”
“Father won’t mind!” Vixie said, already peeling off her riding boots. “He knows we’ve done this loads of times.”
“Aye, Your Highness, but that was . . . before.”
“The beast has never attacked in daylight, has it?” Vixie challenged. “And besides, it’s probably still in the mountains.”
The older one let out a huff as if all this silliness were an unnecessary waste of time. Aerity disagreed. Her spirits were already lifting as she bent to untie her boots. At Lord Alvi’s side, Tiern took off his shirt. He was lanky but strong.
“Are you sure you want to swim in your riding clothes, Your Highnesses and lady?” asked the older guard. “Perhaps we should return another day when we’ve had time to prepare and speak with the king.”
“Rest your mind,” Aerity told him, pulling back her hair with a leather strip from her pocket and tying it tightly. “We’ll be to the islands and back in less than an hour and return to the castle straight away. We’ll dry a bit on the walk back, and all will be well.” She gave him a reassuring smile, but his face remained creased with worry.
Aerity knew if they asked her father to swim to the barrier islands he would refuse. His overbearing rules of late were suffocating her, and she longed for one moment of freedom and peace. Rebellion, even. Plus, she wanted Lord Alvi to eat his words.
She turned to see if the lads were ready, and had to swallow hard. Paxton’s back was to them as he pulled his brown tunic over his head and tossed it onto a rock. He turned and immediately locked eyes with Aerity. Under his shirt had been a diagonal strap from his shoulder to waist holding sheathed daggers. She didn’t bother looking away. She’d seen his chest before in the healing room, but seeing him standing there at a distance, his trousers hung low and his hair escapingthe messy knot . . . all of it made Aerity’s body tighten.
She definitely required a cool down. “Right.” Aerity cleared her throat and walked to the edge of the water. The others followed. Behind her, the younger guard had taken off his shirt, and was tightening his bow and quiver across his back.
“You’re taking your weapon?” Aerity asked. It hardly seemed necessary, and it would surely slow him down. She hoped he didn’t expect them to wait if he lagged behind. The hunters had all set their bows on the shore.
“Course, Your Highness. It’ll be a challenge, but how else will I protect you from sea vermin?” His tone was joking.
Aerity felt guilty for making him do this. “You honestly don’t have to accompany us.”
“Aye, but it’ll put my mind at ease. Plus, I’ve got to stay fit so I can race my little lad. He’s only three years and already threatening to overtake me.” He winked, and Aerity smiled.
Vixie bent and rolled her trousers up until they were snug above her knees. She did a series of squats and arm stretches that made Aerity smile.
“All right, then.” Aerity looked down the row at all the swimmers, who watched her in return—the men with serious, competitive faces, Vixie grinning wickedly, and Wyneth appearing flushed with readiness. “Ready? And . . . go!”
The seven of them bolted forward with a resounding, running splash into the cold water.
Chapter
36
Aerity sliced through the water as quickly as her arms and legs would take her, marveling at the sensation of leaving everything behind. She pushed beyond herself, past the burn of her shoulders and thighs, past her stifling fears of the future, past the ache that constantly pressed on her chest.
Wyneth was at her side, keeping pace. Vixie swam ahead of them, the guard behind. Now and then Aerity would turn to stare at the three bodies getting smaller as they swam toward the other barrier island. So far, the lads and lasses seemed neck and neck, but it was hard to tell for certain.
“Come on!” Vixie called to the girls over her shoulder.
Wyneth let out a groan and the two of them pushedharder, their torsos angling side to side with the movement. Three quarters of the way, as Wyneth began to slow, Aerity wondered if this had been a bad idea. Her cousin hadn’t had much physical activity over the past few months.
“Do you need to slow and rest?” Aerity called out to her.
This question seemed to awaken Wyneth and she responded with a loud, “No,” picking up a burst of speed. Aerity smiled. Then she had a fleeting, unwelcome thought about the great beast, how well it swam. Panic coursed into the pit of her belly. She scanned the waters, which were as smooth as glass. The fear left as quickly as it had come, and Aerity nearly laughed at herself.
She watched the Isle of Loch as it neared. Almost there. She could see the sand through the water again. Soon it was too shallow to swim, so they stood, struggling to move their numb legs through the surf. Vixie kept shooting looks over her shoulder at the nearby island. Her muscles buzzed with exertion.
“They’re standing too! Hurry!”
The girls trudged as quickly as they could, lifting their knees high and making a racket with all the splashing. Wyneth collapsed onto the sand, waves lapping at her feet. Aerity and Vixie saw the hunters standing on the other shore, having turned at the same time as them. They appeared so small.
