His answer came out smooth. “I’m going to remove its horn.”
“Howare you going to remove its horn?”
“The only way that allows it to remain intact and not turn to dust.”
Teryn narrowed his eyes, which earned him a dark chuckle from Helios.
“Very well,” Helios said. “Try not to piss yourself. In order to remove a unicorn’s horn, one must carve it from the creature’s skull while it’s still alive.”
Bile rose in Teryn’s throat, the image James had begun to paint now made fully clear. “And the pelt?”
“As much as possible should be removed while the unicorn breathes, although not all can survive the skinning. Unlike the horn, the pelt won’t dissolve if the creature dies. Instead, it loses its texture and sheen. Any part removed while it’s alive is worth a pretty fortune.”
Another wave of dizziness struck him, but this time he wasn’t sure if it was Helios’ words or the poisoned rum. He planted his feet, forced himself to keep his spear arm steady. “What of the monster?”
Helios scoffed. “What monster?”
Teryn studied his face, seeking signs that he was lying. “You don’t know about the monster?”
Shaking his head, he returned to face the cage.
Teryn took another step forward before Helios could resume cutting the bindings. “Stop, Helios.”
“No.”
“We aren’t taking that unicorn’s horn. Or its pelt.”
Helios let out an irritated groan and turned back around. He wagged his dagger at Teryn. “This is why I didn’t tell you. I knew you’d be too soft.”
“We’ll take this unicorn as the princess’ pet.”
“No, we won’t. That’s only one of the three gifts. We cannot return without all three, or else our plan will mean nothing. Three gifts. Three champions. Equal effort to meet Mareleau’s demands in the cleverest, most efficient way. Do you want a chance to marry the princess or not? Is your kingdom not worth one animal’s life?”
Teryn felt his resolve weaken. He glanced at the caged unicorn, saw fear in his eyes, hunger in his gaunt form, pain where open wounds marred his hide.
“That’s all it will take,” Helios said, a placating quality to his voice. “One unicorn, and we’ll have the hide and the horn. After that, finding the pet will be easy. We can kill this one before we take its hide, if that is your wish. The horn, however…you know what must be done.”
Teryn thought about his father, his kingdom, his duties as heir. The promises he’d made. His heart ached to spare the unicorn, but when had following one’s heart ever served the greater good? His father had followed his heart and nearly brought war to the shores of Menah. Mareleau was supposedly following her heart by seeking a better match than Teryn, but her Hunt had now resulted in a massacre. Teryn’s duty was to his kingdom. Mareleau may have had no qualms with breaking their contract, but he’d promised to marry her. Promised his father he’d do what needed to be done to secure her hand.
And if it meant killing one unicorn…
He glanced at the creature again and felt his stomach drop. Grief tugged at his bones, dragged his heart over brambles and thorns. The words left his mouth before he realized what he was saying. But they were true. “It’s not worth it. It wasneverworth it.” If his promised bride was so heartless as to make such a violent request in exchange for her hand, then he wanted nothing to do with her. She’d broken her promise. Teryn would break his too.
Helios’ shoulders tensed. “So, you forfeit.”
Teryn swallowed hard, his throat dry. “I suppose I do.”
“And you, Lexington?”
No answer came.
Teryn cast a quick glance at Lex and found him still standing over Sam’s body, his face pale.
Helios moved, bringing Teryn’s attention back to him. He now held his sword in addition to the dagger. Teryn prepared to throw his spear, but Helios was quickly closing in. Instead, he held the spear out before him. If he couldn’t throw it, he’d fight with it. Helios continued his charge but was suddenly stopped by a flurry of feathers and talons. Berol scratched at his face, forcing Helios to shield his eyes. The falcon raked her talons through the man’s forearm, sending his sword clattering to the ground. Helios slashed out blindly with the dagger.
Teryn’s heart pounded as he watched Berol carve gouges in the man’s flesh. He was torn between aiding Berol’s efforts with a spear to the gut, or calling the bird back. Before he could consider what to do, he swayed on his feet.The poison, he thought with terror. He swayed again, legs trembling. Berol suddenly took off, heading straight for Teryn. He expected her to land on his shoulder, but the falcon only flapped her wings in his face, forcing Teryn back. Back. Back.
“What are you—”
