The Great Pursuit

by Wendy Higgins

  “It went off without a hitch. King Charles and his wife were kidnapped.”

  His eyes flew wide, and Rozaria burst out into a husky laugh.

  “Right from their very own castle.” She giggled.

  Paxton’s instinct was to jump from the bed and run. Do something. To find Aerity and warn her, if she didn’t already know. Where would she be now? Surely not home yet. But he forced himself to be still. To place his lips against Rozaria’s jaw, and take her waist in his hand.

  “Brilliant.” The word pushed past the sickening lump in his throat. “Are they to be killed?” He kept his voice light.

  “Not”—her eyes fluttered—“yet.”

  He kissed her again. “When?”

  “The princesses. They could not be found.” Paxton’s heart pounded furiously. He traced his lips down her jawline and neck as she went on. “The prince wishes to flush them out. Then . . .” Her eyes closed. Paxton gripped her waist.

  “Aye? Then?”

  “Then he will advance and take over the kingdom of Lochlanach. You’ll be able to return to your homeland with more power and respect than you dreamed possible, hunter.”

  Paxton ground his teeth. Rozaria, in a sudden burst of renewed energy, climbed atop him again. Paxton quickly sat up, gently moving her from his lap to sit beside him, and grabbed both glasses. He pressed hers into her hand.

  “To the prince. And to change. Drink up, gorgeous.”

  “To change.” She brought the glass to her lips and drained it, then let it fall to the bed beside her. “I want to celebrate with you.” Her words smashed together and she pulled at him.

  Paxton moved her so that she lay on the bed and he hovered above her, stroking her hair. She raised a knee, pushing back her skirt, and rubbed her bare leg between his thighs. Ugh.

  “How long will he wait to advance?” Paxton whispered, placing more of his weight on her. She arched and her head fell heavily onto the pillow.

  “When . . .” she slurred and Paxton had to ask her to repeat. “When our insider sends word about . . . princess. . . .”

  “Ah.” That was not good news. He cleared his throat quietly. “Who is this mole?”

  Her eyes closed and she mumbled incoherently. Paxton’s jaw clenched. This time when her eyes didn’t open again, Paxton let her sleep. He’d never been so thankful for wine. He waited until her breathing was heavy and then he slipped from the room, back to the dormitory.

  Aerity could return to Lochlanach in a matter of days, and she had no idea what was in store for her. And where was Princess Vixie? He could only hope she’d been taken to safety. Paxton considered leaving the Kalorian fortress that very instant and returning to Lochlanach, but he knew it wouldn’t be so simple. He remembered what Rozaria had said: nobody in or out without permission.

  He rubbed his face in frustration as he fell back onto his pallet. There would be no more sleeping that night. Not unless he knew Aerity and the kingdom were safe again.

  Chapter

  24

  As they rode, taking breaks only for the sake of the horses, Aerity formulated a plan. It was clear that the foe was much larger than her father anticipated. He thought he was dealing with a rogue enemy in Rozaria Rocato, a few monsters perhaps, and a group of her zealous Lashed followers. He believed that if their band of evildoers could simply be caught and destroyed, they could go back to life as usual.

  Now they knew better.

  This was so much larger than anything they could have anticipated. Prince Vito—and possibly the entire kingdom of Kalor—was against them. It was up to Aerity now to implement changes that would hopefully benefit all Lochlans, appease Prince Vito and Rozaria, and get her parents back.

  Seas, don’t let them be dead, Aerity silently begged. Pain shot through her chest at the thought. She leaned forward and rode harder. She heard a shout of surprised laughter from Vixie behind her.

  “Look at you go!” her sister said with apparent pride.

  Aye. Fear of horses was no longer a luxury Aerity could afford. Neither was sleep, for that matter. Her eyes were heavy.

  But onward they rode.

  They stopped only when Tiern said his horse was tiring. Aerity considered telling him about Paxton, but something held her back. She’d left Paxton in a dangerous situation. Tiern would no doubt be worried, and possibly want to seek him out. Aerity couldn’t allow it. So instead they took their break in silence, all exhausted. She would tell him when they reached the castle.

  As they set to tending to the animals’ needs, Tiern began casting furtive glances toward Aerity, but she pretended not to notice. Perhaps if they could ride a bit farther before he found out, it would lessen his desire to turn back.

  “Tiern,” Aerity said, “how about you take Furball to lighten your horse’s load and Vixie can ride with me.”

  “Erm . . .” Tiern stared down at where the creature was digging at an anthill, gouging its claws deep into the soil as if cutting through butter. Even Vixie eyed Furball with misgiving.

  “He’s only a cub,” Aerity promised. “And he rides well. Naps like a babe.”

  “I’ll take him,” Harrison said. “Let Tiern and his horse rest a bit.” Tiern looked relieved.

  Aerity paced while the animals were fed and watered. Then she followed Vixie’s lead and set to rubbing down the horses’ legs and hind muscles. Jude let out a whinny of joy at his massage.

  “By the depths, Aer,” said Vixie. “He actually likes you!”

  Aerity laughed. “I know. Madness, right? I’ve named him Jude.”

  Vixie smiled, then looked over Aerity skeptically. “Your hair has turned a shade of grayish brown now.”

  Aerity groaned and smoothed back the top of her head. She could only imagine how awful she appeared. “When we return, I’ll have Caitrin try to fix it somehow. Red dye, perhaps.” Though her hair and appearance were the least of her concerns at that point.

  “What will you do when we get home?” Vixie asked with seriousness.

  Harrison and Tiern both stopped what they were doing to watch her.

  “I’ll do what I’ve wanted father to do all along. I’m going to set up a post, probably on royal lands: a safe area where Lashed can work. It will be guarded. If it works, I’m going to open a second in Dovedell outside the gates. And then another.”

  “Like infirmaries?” Tiern asked.

  Aerity nodded. “Exactly. They will be the only place where Lashed are allowed to work their magic. For now. And only under guardian eyes. Any persons needing Lashed attention can come, unarmed.”

  “You’ll want to address the people first,” Harrison suggested.

  Aerity had already thought of that. “I’ll need you to round up soldiers to help at the entrance to royal lands as people are allowed in, and then to keep an eye on the crowd as I address them. Tiern,” she said. He raised his chin. “I will need you to visit the local towns with a message. I’m certain the people are in fear after news of their king and queen gone missing. We should probably get going straightaway.”

  Tiern gave a nod. After a quiet moment, when Vixie had left to water their horse, he said, “I thought . . .” Then he hesitated.

  Oh, seas. Aerity peered down at her dusty boots and waited for it.

  “I thought perhaps you would have Paxton with you.”

  At the sound of Paxton’s name in his brother’s saddened voice, Aerity wished she had forced him to come. Thinking of him with the madwoman jolted her with stark terror. It took a moment for her insides to right themselves. She took a deep breath and looked at him. So be it.

  “I will tell you as much as I can while the horses rest, and then we must be on our way again. But you must remain with us, Tiern. You cannot go back for him. Vixie needs you. Lochlanach needs you.”

  He clenched his jaw and nodded.

  Though Tiern was visibly upset at the news of Paxton’s situation, he did not wish to seek him out. Aerity realized with a lightness of heart that his need to protec
t Vixie seemed to override his need to find his brother. Paxton would have approved.

  Aerity and the others were bone weary by the time they crossed into Toresta. Unlike the border between Kalor and Zorfina, the Torestan border was lined with soldiers. Five of the nearest ones held their bowstrings taut with arrows pointed at them. Aerity and the three others raised their hands.

  “You might want to lower your weapons from the faces of your neighboring royalty,” Harrison said to the brown-clad soldiers.

  “I’ve got this,” Vixie said. She turned to them and removed the scarf from her head. “I have returned,” she said in Torestan. “With my sister, as promised.” She motioned to Aerity.

  The men were immediately at attention, shouting orders. Aerity squinted at her sister, and Vixie smiled.

  “We came through days ago and explained everything. It took some detailed information to convince them who I was without papers, but once they believed me they swore to escort us back to Lochlanach when we returned.”

  Aerity breathed a sigh of relief. “So they know of the Kalorian raid on our castle?”

  “And the kidnapping, aye.”

  “This is good news,” Harrison said.

  Two Torestan soldiers approached on horseback and inclined their heads at Aerity. The superior said, “We will escort you to your border. It should take two days and one night.”

  “I thank you,” Aerity said. “Any news?”

  “None, Your Highness.”

  She nodded gravely. “We must get to our castle at once.”

  They rode swiftly, stopping to camp and catch a handful of restless hours in the night. Then they were on their way again. The temperature dropped. They were half-frozen when they finally spied the Lochlanach border.

  Only three Lochlan soldiers stood guard at the path. Their eyes seemed to bypass the women and go straight to Harrison.

  “Lieutenant Gillfin?” one asked.

  “Aye, cadet. And your two princesses.”

  Their eyes narrowed with confusion and then went huge as they turned to the Lochson girls and recognized them, giving deep bows.

  “We would escort you, sir, but we’re on foot,” one of the soldiers said.

  “We’ll be fine. Any news of my parents?” Aerity asked. The men shook their heads gravely. Curses.

  “All the royal hounds are out with the guards, searching for their scent in the towns.”

  “Your Highness,” called a Torestan soldier in his native tongue. “We shall return to our king at once with an update.”

  “I thank you for your assistance, sirs. Please give King Gavriil my regard. And . . .” She swallowed her pride. “Any assistance he can spare would be greatly appreciated.”

  The men nodded and set off.

  Aerity had a dreaded feeling her parents were nowhere in Lochlanach. She hitched her heels into Jude and took off. They still had two days of hard riding before they’d reach royal lands. And though things weren’t stable in their kingdom, and she had no clue what to expect upon her return, it felt so, so good to be home.

  Chapter

  25

  Upon their arrival at royal lands, one thing became distinctly clear to Aerity: their military forces had been stretched too thin, to the point that the royal lands may as well have been unguarded. Soldiers had been sent all across Lochlanach—to try to keep peace in the towns and to secure the borders. But it wasn’t enough to have a few men everywhere. If any of those places were attacked, it would be overpowered in no time. Young men were being trained as quickly as possible, but it wasn’t enough.

  They were not safe.

  The royal lands were too quiet. The market had been closed and people were not allowed in. Everything appeared eerie: the trees barren of their leaves; the stalls empty; the wind-whipped sea, lined with ready vessels. A winter-gray sky loomed, blowing frigid air along the paths.

  Harrison waved down a fellow officer and called him over. It took the man a moment to recognize Aerity as she dismounted her horse, sore and cold. He bowed.

  “Princess! Thank the seas for your safe return.”

  “Get her inside where it’s warm,” Harrison told him. He was still atop his horse with Furball bundled in a blanket on his lap. “I’ll be in shortly. We’ll need a debriefing on every detail.”

  Harrison clomped away, most likely to find a safe place for Furball. Aerity, Vixie, and Tiern climbed down and relinquished their horses. The three of them took the stone steps to the castle, dried leaves crackling underfoot. The moment they reached the top of the stairs and the doors were opened, Aerity heard a familiar voice.

  “Princess!” Caitrin rushed forward and hugged her hard, earning headshakes from the guards. Aerity didn’t care; she hugged her back just as tightly.

  “Oh, seas, look at you, Your Highness. Your hair.” The girl had tears in her eyes. “Come, let’s bathe you and get you into warmer, proper clothes.”

  “Not yet, Caitrin,” she said gently but firmly. “After I meet with the council. But I could use some help with the color at that time. And I need a guest chamber readied for Tiern Seabolt.”

  Caitrin twiddled with her apron, seeming reluctant to let Aerity go a moment longer looking the way she did. “I’ll alert the guest maids and start warming the water for your bath.” She rushed off.

  Wyneth heard voices and she ran to the library window. The sight of Harrison’s back as he rode down to the stables sent a jolt of pure joy through her. He was here! And safe! Did that mean Aerity had returned as well? She grabbed her warm cloak and threw it over her shoulders as she sprinted through the castle to the entrance. The guards held open the door, and she nearly fell down the steps moving so quickly.

  She finally caught up with Harrison near the stables. But instead of going inside he dismounted and sent his horse away, heading toward the hounds’ kennels. He had a bundle in his arms.

  “Harrison!” she called, jogging.

  His head shot to her and his face lit up with a joyful smile that made Wyneth catch her breath—he must have been happy to be home, and she was certainly glad to see him again. The bundle shifted and jumped from his arms—he swiped out to catch it but missed. Wyneth stopped in her tracks, skidding in the sandy dirt as something strange and furry charged at her. Harrison yelled. Wyneth saw thick fangs and claws as long as her fingers. She gasped and choked on a scream as she turned, only to fall over her twisted skirts like a clumsy oaf.

  She scrambled to her feet, but it was too late. The beast jumped onto her back. She turned, screaming, and felt a wet lick up the entire side of her face. She walloped the creature and it fell to the side with a pained yap.

  “Wyn! It’s okay!”

  Harrison got to the creature and grasped it by the scruff of its neck. Wyneth pushed herself into a sitting position and crab walked backward a few feet. She stared at the creature, panting.

  “It’s okay,” Harrison said, softer this time. “It—he . . . he won’t hurt you. He got excited, is all.”

  “He— What is it?”

  She stared at its lion head with a short, furry mane, and its bear-like body with thick, coarse fur of brownish black. The creature tried again to get to Wyneth, but Harrison lifted it into his arms and held it tight.

  “I think he likes you,” he said, squatting on one knee. “He wants to meet you. We saved him from Rozaria. He’s just a cub, but he’s nearly doubled in size already since we took him.”

  Rozaria? Wyneth’s mind spun. This was one of her beasts? But . . . how? What in Eurona had happened while they were away? The more Wyneth looked at the wiggling monster, the more she could sense its innocent excitement. She pushed to her knees and moved forward, holding her palm out. When she got to the creature, it sniffed her hand fervently and then set to licking. Wyneth laughed. She met Harrison’s eyes, and they both stared at one another in wonder.

  “All right, Furball, enough of that,” Harrison said. “You can get to know Wyn later. Right now you have a big meal and a warm kennel c
alling your name.” He looked at Wyneth and stood, helping her to her feet but not releasing her hand right away. “And we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

  Aye. Her forgetful moment of fun came to an end as she thought of her aunt and uncle, somewhere out there with Kalorians, and all that had happened in Aerity and Harrison’s absence.

  Aerity wondered where the rest of the family was. She thought perhaps they would be in the king’s office, but when they’d reached it, there was only one person within. Old Duke Gulfton sat in his adviser’s chair, his hands on his staff, his eyes glazed. It took him a moment to turn his face to them and focus. A momentary look of frozen fear crossed his features.

  “Are you all right?” Aerity asked him. “It’s Princesses Aerity and Vixie.”

  “I know who you are.” His voice rasped.

  “Good seas, sir,” Aerity said. “How long have you been sitting here? Have you eaten?” The man seemed to have aged decades in her short absence, from all he’d witnessed in the kingdom, no doubt.

  “Everyone left after the king and queen were taken. Duke Streamson, even. All of the council. I didn’t think anyone would ever return.”

  “Duke, why don’t you let one of the guards see you to a guest room for a rest? I will have a meal sent.” He peered up at her with the saddest glossy eyes.

  “Nay. I will leave today to return home to my lands.”

  Aerity nodded. “Be safe, good sir.” Then she turned to the nearest guard at the door. “Where are the lords and ladies?”

  “At the Isle of Evie, Your Highness.”

  “Except one,” came a sweet voice from the doorway.

  Aerity looked up into the gorgeous face of Wyneth, and she rushed forward, nearly barreling her cousin over. They laughed and clung to each other, their happiness turning to a deeper joined emotion over all the things they’d felt in Aerity’s absence. Wyneth pulled back, holding Aerity’s shoulders.

  “You are a sight.” Wyneth wiped her eyes and stood taller. Lord Alvi rushed into the room behind Harrison and looked about at their faces. He honed in on Aerity.