Sunset, She Fights

by Tameri Etherton

  Would Rainne’s skin feel like velvet beneath his touch?

  Theo shuddered as an image of him making love to Rainne shoved itself to the forefront of his mind.

  He didn’t fancy Rainne. Not in a romantic way, at least. She was charming and intelligent and kind, but…

  But there was something of affection lingering in his heart.

  And Rainne was real. Not some fabricated fantasy of danger and lust.

  “I can’t.” Theo didn’t stop to apologize or explain. He turned from the woman and sped down the road toward the inn, tucking himself away as much as he could. His hardened cock resisted being shoved into his pants, but he didn’t care. Whatever enchantment or trickery the woman had used on him, she’d almost succeeded.

  If he never saw her again, it would be too soon.

  At the door to the inn, he glanced back and saw a lone hooded figure standing in the middle of the road. Something told him he’d never escape. She was a hunter, and he, now her prey.

  11

  Rainne rolled over, feeling the stickiness between her legs as she did. Panic rushed from her core to her thoughts and back again. She knew what that stickiness meant. Slowly, as if to delay the reality of her situation, she slid a hand between her legs.

  A familiar tingling wound its way through her privates, urgent in its need. Rainne sighed with relief. The ogress hadn’t bedded anyone the previous night. From the constant throbbing in her nub, the ogress had been sorely tempted, but left unsatisfied.

  Rainne sat up straight, her heart leaping to her throat. What had happened last night? She glanced at the unfamiliar room. Pora and Alona lay huddled together near the fireplace, a thick blanket covering their sleeping bodies. The ogress’s clothes were scattered across the room and Rainne’s saddlebags were in disarray.

  She rubbed her temples to recall anything that might help settle her thoughts and palpitations. Gradually, the events played out in her mind. The ride from Duir, the attack, the long afternoon of intermittent conversation, then the inn.

  Her gaze drifted to the saddlebags. When Rainne needed to take the thurnbull, they couldn’t find any. The entire bunch had gone missing. She looked to Alona again. Her maid had made her xanslip tea. Despite Finnick’s warning, it was better than nothing and Rainne hadn’t wanted to face the change without something to ease the pain. Yes, she remembered all of that. But then what?

  Alona had said she’d go seek out the town’s healer for more thurnbull. That was the last Rainne recalled. She rose from the bed, naked, and made her way to the sleeping figures.

  “Wake up, darlings.” She nudged her maid and then Pora. “It’s after sunrise and the prince will be anxious to continue our journey.”

  Alona blinked up at her and Pora hissed. Whatever the ogress had done, he wasn’t pleased with either of them. She dressed quickly, doing her best to avoid the surly cat. Alona changed into her traveling clothes before packing their belongings. She lifted the ogress’s tunic and gasped. A small bundle of green leaves fell to the floor.

  Rainne stared at the bundle, then glanced to Alona. “What is it?”

  “I think, my lady, you, erm, she hid the thurnbull from us.”

  Pora flicked his tail and pounced on the bed. “Makes sense. The xanslip’s effectiveness is weakening. Do you recall what happened last night?”

  “I can’t remember anything beyond Alona saying she’d find more thurnbull. Were you able to?”

  “I did, my lady. We should have plenty now.”

  “I have a theory, if you’re so inclined to indulge me.” Pora’s whiskers vibrated.

  “Go on, then. Tell me your fabulous theory.” Rainne sat in the chair beside the bed and gave Pora her full attention.

  “I think you stole the thurnbull yesterday while you were searching for the tea. Now, it wasn’t really you—it was the ogress, of course. But she made you do it. She needed to hide the thurnbull so you’d take xanslip instead. You’ve blacked out two nights now after taking xanslip, so she figured if you took the lesser drug, you’d be easier to control. Thurnbull is too potent. It knocks you out so you can’t get up to mischief and she hates that.”

  Rainne rubbed her chin and nodded. “Sounds like something she’d do. She’s getting stronger.” She stood and surveyed their meager possessions. “I need you to hide the thurnbull. Somewhere neither I nor the ogress can find it. I don’t care if it’s up your bum. She knows I need that drug and she’ll stop at nothing to prevent me from having it. I’ll wait downstairs while you two decide where it’ll be hidden.”

  “I ain’t putting that in my ass, not even for you.” Pora licked his paw, then wiped it over his ear. “That’s nasty.”

  She looked around for her pendant, but it wasn’t where she’d left it the previous night.

  “Have you seen my vial?”

  The three of them searched the saddlebags and room, but didn’t find the little bottle of poison.

  “She must’ve taken it. She knows it’s my insurance policy if things get bad.” They spoke of the ogress as if she were another entity, another person outside of their little family. But she was there, always. Waiting, watching, and now, stealing. What else would the bitch steal from Rainne?

  Her stomach soured and twisted. Theo. Even if they weren’t romantically involved, if the ogress sensed any affection from Rainne to the prince, she had no doubt she’d try to destroy their friendship. Or was it something else? The ogress had threatened to get to him first. What had she meant by that, and what would happen if she did? If the ogress and Theo fucked, what did that mean for Rainne? Nothing. At least, nothing she could think of at the moment.

  Rainne scraped her hair off her face and blew out a long breath. “We have to assume the ogress has a plan, and I have a feeling it involves the prince. If I’d known yesterday she would pull these tricks, I wouldn’t have continued our trip.” She blinked and bit her lower lip. “The ogress was unusually quiet while I debated going back home. Now I know why. She knew I’d choose to stay with Theo even before I knew it. Until we’re safely back at Duir, we have to be on alert at all times. If I black out, she has complete control.” Her gaze went to Pora. “Will you tell me why you’re so pissed?”

  Pora arched and his tail bottle-brushed with his irritation. “You left me here. Said I was a nuisance and you didn’t need me.”

  “You know that wasn’t me, right?” She bent to scratch under his chin, but he jerked his face away.

  “I don’t know anymore where you end and she begins. Ever since the prince came along, you’re not the same. You even smell different.”

  “I smell? Like what?”

  “Elf Rainne smells like sunshine, and the ogress Rainne like rain-heavy clouds. But now, you both smell like horny idiots—all musky and sweaty. It’s disgusting.”

  He was jealous. Dear sweet, murderous, and borderline psychotic Pora was jealous of the attention she was paying to Theo. Who could blame him? Being shoved in a saddlebag all day, then told he was a nuisance. Rainne had some serious making up to do with her best friend. For starters, she’d let him ride with her. And if Theo objected, she’d tell the prince what to do with his opinion.

  Not only did Theo not object, he barely acknowledged Rainne when she came downstairs. He sat morosely in the corner, with Simpson pacing nearby. When he saw Rainne, a look of profound relief swept over his features and he busied himself finishing preparations for their day of travel. Alona quickly went to help, leaving Rainne alone with the sullen prince.

  He glanced up once, nodded, and went back to brooding.

  “Did you get bad news? Is it your brother?” She hoped it was something to do with Therron and not the ogress. Her heart feared it was the latter.

  “It’s nothing. Doesn’t concern you.” He stormed past Rainne and out into the courtyard.

  She stared at his retreating back. Her first instinct was to chase after him and demand an apology. Upset or not, it was no way to treat her. She took several calming breaths and
decided fighting with him wouldn’t do any of them good.

  They saddled up and rode out of the inn’s courtyard into a cloudless day that promised warm sunshine. Rainne hummed a song her mother used to sing to her when she was little and swayed with the rocking of her mare’s pace. Pora curled in her lap, wedging himself as much into the cramped space as he could. Simpson gave Rainne a scowl when he noticed the cat, but said nothing. Even he was subdued by his lord’s behavior.

  Between the silence and her worry about the ogress, she fully expected a long day of travel.

  It was sometime after lunch when the prince roused himself out of the stupor that had dogged him all day. “Is that a cat?”

  “He’s called Pora. You saw him at the castle.”

  “I did?” Theo scratched his chin. “Oh, right. I did.” He peered at Pora, a scowl marring his forehead. “She had a cat, too.”

  Rainne’s nerves rattled and a tendril of dread slithered down her back. “Who?”

  “The girl in the forest.” His scrutiny of Pora transferred to Rainne. “Taller than you. More aggressive, too. Much more aggressive.”

  Pora vibrated against her stomach. Or was it her trembling? She couldn’t be sure. Beads of perspiration dotted her upper lip and hot flushes crept up her neck.

  “What girl?” Rainne reached for the silver vial that was no longer hanging around her neck.

  Theo waved her off. “She was there, the night of the wolf attack.” His fingers went to his lips. “Stole a kiss from me.”

  “Wait, a girl in the forest stole a kiss? How does one go about stealing a kiss?” Rainne put on her most innocent smile, the one she wore when speaking to Finnick as if he were a child.

  “She just did. Then last night—” He stopped abruptly.

  “Last night what?” It felt as though a hive of bees took up residence in her belly. Her nerves fluttered and buzzed and stung her insides.

  Theo turned to face her. “She’s dangerous, yet alluring. Tell me, Lady Delarainne, is this what love feels like? I want to weep and scream and laugh and dance, but most of all, I count the seconds until I see her again.”

  He paused, and in that silence, Rainne’s world shattered. The blood drained from her face and her hands wouldn’t stop trembling. She wanted the prince to shut up, and at the same time had to know everything the ogress had done.

  Theo’s face brightened, then fell. “Poor Therron. He’ll know the ecstasy of love, then the crushing despair of death. Unless, yes, unless he finds his true love. Isn’t that what they say, Rainne? That true love cures all?”

  A low thrumming started in the back of her head. If the ogress was baiting Theo, tempting him to love her so they might consummate that love, to what end? What was the ogress playing at?

  “Surely you can’t be in love with a girl you’ve only just met. What’s her name?”

  “I don’t know. And I don’t care. She’s enchanting.”

  Pora’s claw dug into Rainne’s thigh and she grunted against the jag of pain. If Theo knew his crush was an ogress, he’d kill her. Lust or not, he’d made it clear he welcomed their deaths. Keeping him from discovering her secret was more important than ever. Unless the ogress was trying to force Theo to confront his own bigotry.

  “I stopped by your room, but you were already abed.” A cloud passed over Theo’s eyes. “I thought we might sup together.”

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling well.” Rainne glanced to where Alona was chatting with Simpson. In the rush of their morning, her maid had forgotten to tell her.

  “And I found this in my belongings.” He handed her something slim and shiny.

  She took the pendant from him and stared at the little vial of poison. How the fuck had it gotten into Theo’s hands? The ogress was playing a dangerous game and Rainne was at a severe disadvantage. As soon as they stopped riding for the day, she would take thurnbull and prevent the ogress from harassing Theo. She’d been too quiet today and that made Rainne nervous.

  “What’s in the vial?” Theo watched her with narrowed eyes and pursed lips.

  “Poison.” She had nothing to lose by telling the truth.

  A strange look crossed his features. As if he’d known what the contents were and had expected her to lie, but when she didn’t, he was left confused. In that small expression, she had the sense something great had happened. The ogress stirred, not with a snarky retort, but with a whimper.

  “Is it for the sickness?”

  Rainne nodded. “If it ever gets too bad, well…”

  “What is the nature of your illness?”

  Her mouth went dry and words clattered in the space of her mind, but didn’t find her tongue. “I, erm, it’s…” she stuttered and floundered. Had she expected him to ask, she might’ve had an answer, but his question took her quite by surprise. “My mother’s accident broke something inside. At least, that’s what the healers all say. At night, I suppose that’s when I miss her most and I’m not quite myself.” She took a long, staggering breath. It was the closest she’d ever come to saying her truth out loud.

  Theo reached out and clasped her hand. The earnestness he wore almost broke her heart.

  “I pray you never need what’s in that vial.”

  The gods knew, so did she.

  12

  By mid-afternoon of the next day, Rainne was ready to be out of the saddle and seated on a fine chaise, doing nothing more than contemplating what to have for tea. She’d managed to keep the ogress contained the previous night, taking the thurnbull Alona offered as soon as they reached the inn. Rainne had no idea where her maid hid the medicine, and didn’t want to know. The ogress detested the effect it had on Rainne, which meant she would do everything she could to make certain she had it every night.

  Only twice did Rainne wish she’d taken the carriage as Theo had suggested: during his morbid silence the previous morning, and again today when her back rebelled at having to share the saddle with Pora. The silly cat found the most awkward positions to ride and slept nearly the entire time. In truth, she was jealous of his ability to nap anytime, anywhere. She could do with a nice lay-down, but they still had at least an hour of travel before they reached Elvenwood. Already she was dreading the ride home in a week’s time.

  “Tell me of this curse which afflicts your brother.” Rainne hoped bringing up one of Theo’s favorite topics might cheer the man. He’d been quiet all morning. Because he didn’t find his mystery lady, Rainne suspected.

  Theo studied her in that way he had that made her self-conscious and shy. “I don’t suppose it will do any harm.” Even so, he didn’t look eager to share the tale. After he took a long breath, he began. “Ages ago, there was a beautiful faerie princess named Ishnara. She longed to see the elven kingdom and traveled there with her maids and several guards. On the way to the palace, she stopped in a town for refreshments. There, Ishnara saw the most handsome man. He was a cobbler, and poor, with nothing to offer a princess, but Ishnara fell instantly in love with him.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad. Love is good, right?”

  Theo snarled and continued. “The cobbler, Heracul, did not return Ishnara’s affections. Even when she insisted he come to the palace with her, he denied her. Ishnara left the man in his town and traveled to the elf king, where she told him of her trouble with Heracul. The king, being wise and just, told her he couldn’t make a man love her, but that he would demand the cobbler come to the palace.”

  Rainne listened intently. She’d never heard this tale, nor did her mother ever mention a curse on the royal family.

  “Soon, Heracul arrived at the palace as commanded by his king, but no amount of begging from the princess could make him love her. She tried many times to seduce him, each ending with Ishnara in tears. Heracul would not return her affection. He wasn’t promised to another, nor did he think she was unworthy. He simply didn’t love her.”

  Theo fidgeted with the ring he wore, spinning it first one way, then the next.

  “A
s you can imagine, Ishnara was humiliated. She returned to her kingdom and summoned her most powerful dark mages. She ordered them to place a curse on the elven kingdom. Once every century, a prince would be born who would fall in love with a faerie. Not a princess or queen, but a faerie with no title, no wealth, and no heart to return his love.”

  “And true love is the only way to break the curse?” Rainne’s heart beat fiercely, not just for the tale, but at the wicked idea that came into her mind. If she knew true love, it might break her curse. But how did one find someone to love them when they were an elf maiden by day and a monster by night?

  “Aye. True love. The cursed prince will know his mate the moment he sees her. If she returns his affections, the spell is broken. If not, he’ll perish within three moonturns of their meeting and the curse will continue.”

  “Three months? That’s plenty of time to win the girl’s affections. And you say the curse stands today? That your brother is the one who must find a fae maiden to love and be loved in return?” It didn’t sound so difficult. As long as the maiden didn’t turn into an ogress every sunset. She snorted at her own ridiculousness. Who was she to understand the ways of the heart?

  “You find our situation humorous?” Hot waves of anger wafted off Theo.

  “No, Your Highness, I was laughing at my own innocence, for I know nothing of love, true or otherwise.”

  His anger dissipated as quickly as it’d raged. “You love your mother very much, and it’s obvious to me that your stepfather feels the same for you as he does his lady wife. Perhaps you give him too little credit.”

  It was Rainne’s turn to feel the sting of anger. Theo watched her, his strange color-changing eyes focused on hers. What did he see in Finnick that she didn’t? She thought of him talking to her mother and of the many times he begged her to believe he hadn’t cursed her.

  “Perhaps I do. But when you’ve lived with enmity for so long, how do you let it go?”

  “Forgiveness isn’t for the other person; it’s for you. I’m not the best with these things, but like you, I am a good listener.”