The second night of King’s Fair starts at sundown with a tradition called “the Hunt.”
The king selects a trove of treasure to be hidden somewhere on the grounds, and it’s basically a big scavenger hunt to find it. Whoever is successful in uncovering the treasure gets to keep it.
Like last night, the partygoers are dressed daringly, myself included. I wear a soft golden sarong that flashes an obscene amount of leg and a black bandeau bra knotted around a gilded brooch. Fingerless gloves cover my arms from wrist to bicep, and my hair is pulled up into a chic updo held together by two long, spiky chopsticks.
We are gathered on the sprawling lawns for the start of tonight’s festivities. I stare out at the hundreds of lit torches lining the manicured expanse. Kylian sits between his mother and King Derek on a small dais that has been erected on the lawn. He leans in to say something to Derek while Ilspeth, garbed in a tight, long-sleeved red gown, oversees the crowd with her typical distaste.
The booming war drums pound three times, signaling the start of the Hunt, and the sea of fae breaks off, scattering like ants in all directions. Kai and Dover spring into action—a clear strategy already in place.
“We’ll search the maze first—Sorscha knows her way around,” a thankfully sober Kai says in the voice of a war general.
He and Dover lead the way, and the rest of us rush to keep up with their determined pace.
“You people take this way too seriously.” Cece rolls her gold-dusted eyes beside Zadyn. She seems to be glued to his hip as of late. I haven’t bothered to ask him if their dalliance has continued—mostly because I truly don’t want to know the answer.
“Everyone loves a winner, Ceec,” Dover calls over his shoulder. Marideth hangs back with me, noticeably more quiet than usual. She hasn’t had much to do with Dover the past two nights, probably still shaken by the news of the wedding.
“The maze is massive. It could take us all night to search,” Sorscha points out, gathering her skirts.
“Captain, you’re awfully quiet. Isn’t this sort of thing your area of expertise?” Kai drawls.
“My area of expertise involves a bit more than strategizing to find hidden treasure, Kai,” Jace says mildly. “But if we split up, we can cover more ground in a shorter amount of time.”
“Brilliant.” Kai claps his hands together, pivoting to a stop.
Marideth slides her arm around mine. “Dibs on Serena.”
“I’ll go with you,” Dover says to her, his tone falling short of casual and landing on hopeful. She huffs a loud sigh, not bothering to look at him. “Fine.”
“As will I. Captain, do you think you can handle the rest of this riff-raff?” Kai gestures to the remainder of the pack.
“I’ll manage,” Jace says flatly.
“Tick tock.” Kai taps an imaginary watch and waves us onward. I cast a quick look back at Jace, whose attention is on Sorscha.
I roll my eyes internally, embarrassed by my own simping.
The entrance to the maze appears as stars begin to dust the sky. We split almost immediately, branching off in opposite directions. Dover falls into step with Marideth a few feet behind me and Kai. I can hear him struggling to make small talk with her. Trying not to eavesdrop out of respect, I fix my attention on the prince.
“How are you feeling tonight?” I ask, pebbles crunching beneath my heels.
“Good as new, thanks to my little savior.” He flashes me an ironic smile that doesn’t quite touch his eyes. “I have to say I’m flattered that you felt so inclined to help me. Shows how much you care,” he teases, exaggerating a down-turned pout.
I chuckle and throw an elbow into his ribs lightly.
“You’ve grown on me.” I sigh. “Like a fungus.”
It’s his turn to laugh, throwing his dark head back to the night sky.
“Kai, about your brother,” I tread carefully. His gaze lowers to the ground as we round the corner of a perfectly groomed hedge.
“I’m sorry you had the misfortune of meeting him last night. Although, I think you left quite the impression on him.” His eyes slide to me. “No one has ever dared to stand up to him, let alone speak to him the way you did.”
“You didn’t exactly kiss ass either,” I point out.
“That doesn’t count—we’re family, as much as that fact shames me.” He shrugs. “I learned from a very young age that word holds no real meaning to my kin beyond heirs and lines of succession.”
A dark look crosses his features.
