His small smile morphed into a smirk. “You can borrow a bow and arrow set from the weaponry, tiny fiend.”
“It won’t be the same,” she argued.
“Then you’d better start practicing.”
“I’m not using another bow,” she retorted, ashes swirling and her own beloved weapon appearing in her hand.
She could swear he sucked in a sharp breath as he stared at her. Looking at her like she was something exquisite and endearing, and that made no sense. He definitely should not be looking at her like that.
He stepped nearer, closing the space between them. Lifting a hand, it appeared he was going to reach for her, but he dropped it back to his side with another sigh. “I have to return to the council meeting at sundown,” he said, regret and something akin to dread sounding in his tone. “Tomorrow the proclamation can be made regarding the betrothal.”
She nodded.
“Things will change with the announcement,” he warned.
She nodded again, because what did it matter?
Things had changed the moment she’d shot that arrow on that battlefield. And that was why he shouldn’t be looking at her like she was some charming thing capable of answering his prayers and delivering salvation.
She wasn’t any of those things.
Because her favorite part of a hunt was the victory of a blade sinking in deep or an arrow finding its mark.
And she’d been training to hunt Avonleyans her entire life.
Chapter 16
Razik
“So we can Travel to Elshira, but we can’t Travel into the forest?” Kailia asked from where she stood beside Cethin while they waited for their horses.
“Few can Travel directly into Shira Forest,” Cethin answered. “And those who can, don’t, out of respect for the spirit animals.”
She nodded, gaze fixed on the trees. “I’ve never seen one of the spirit animals. Have you?”
Cethin gave her a tight smile. “I have, but not lately.”
Razik scoffed under his breath at the statement, Wren elbowing him lightly in the side. They’d seen plenty of spirit animals over their centuries of life, but beyond that, Cethin was bonded to one.
The spirit animals were powerful creatures bonded to the gods and goddesses. With their connection to the gods, the animals were immune from the wards and spells of the realm, but they were still beholden to this world. Razik had read a lot of history about them, but had yet to figure out how they’d become trapped here. Because they were. They used to be able to go to the gods they were connected to, and now they remained here, many of them bonded to a being in the realm at the request oftheir god or goddess. Cethin was one of those beings, because why wouldn’t he also be gifted something for no reason at all beyond his bloodline?
But then again, maybe Cethin was actually making a smart decision and not sharing everything about himself and the kingdom with someone he’d just met. Didn’t make up for the fact he was shoving someone incredibly unqualified onto a throne though. Someone he barely knew. Someone who had fucking stabbed him.
“The spirit animals reside in Shira Forest when they are not needed by their bonded,” Razik added as horses were led over, taking the reins for his mount and Wren’s. “It is considered sacred.”
Kailia nodded again, turning to look at the large castle that stood behind them. “And this used to be the capital of Avonleya?”
“Elshira. Yes, it was for centuries,” Cethin answered. “Since the kingdom was established.”
“Then why was the capital moved?” Kailia asked.
“There were several reasons,” Cethin answered with a nod of thanks as he was handed the reins to his horse.
“So we cannot Travel into Shira Forest, but we can simply walk into the trees?” Kailia said doubtfully as she was handed reins as well.
“Only once a year. For the Beltane Hunt,” Cethin replied. “Do you know how to ride?”
“Ride what?” she asked, attention still fixed on the trees.
