Since the gelding had letLord Linusof all people ride him, I thought he’d be willing to carry my consort. He didn’t seem upset by it, even if Rigel was a little tall for him, as he easily kept pace and gave me his high-pitched nicker whenever he noticed I was looking back at him.
Queen Rime wasn’t with us. She wasn’t even mounted when we left.
I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. No one had ever said if she enjoyed killing the stag like Birch and Fell obviously did.
Once we had our next trot break—this one in a forest that closed in claustrophobically on the trail—I hung back to ask Solis.
“Queen Rime didn’t ride with us,” I said. “Will she catch up? Or does she lay traps or something?”
Solis shook his head. “Queen Rime doesn’t outright refuse to participate. Instead she rides at her leisure. Since she became the top Court in our region, I’ve never seen her actively ride in a hunt.”
Well, at least that’s something.
“I see it!” Birch said excitedly.
Dang it!
I heeled Comet, who shot forward. We streaked in front of Birch just before the woods opened up into another field, blocking his way.
The hounds—my shades included—kept running, but Birch had to stop his horse to keep from colliding with me.
“Watch it!” he shouted.
Up ahead of us, Verdant urged her horse into a canter. Unfortunately, Fell was the better rider of the two. He urged his horse faster, and even jumped a fallen tree trunk with expert ease as he pulled out in front of her, blocking her.
At a muffled command his horse briefly slowed. He nocked an arrow in his bow and shot it at the stag, which had just reached the tree line on the other side.
The stag dodged it, and it dug into a tree instead. But I could see the stag’s nostrils were flared, and the whites of its eyes showed in its fright.
This isn’t going to work. I made Fell too angry when I argued with him. He’s not going to let Verdant get through.
“Move it!” Birch snarled.
“So sorry—I’m just such a clumsy rider.” I attempted to sound as apologetic as possible. If he figured out I was doing this on purpose it was going to be harder to pull off—but I didn’t think I could keep it going much longer anyway.
They’re catching up to the stag. I thought Verdant would be more competitive, but it looks like Fell is just overwhelming her. I’m going to have to act.
The anger that had been boiling in my stomach flared.
I was still enraged by this needlessly cruel act. But if I succeeded at this, it was going to be incrediblysatisfying.
“That was a rather poor shot, King Fell.” Birch pointedly reined his sun stallion past me as he hurried to catch up with the other two monarchs. “Can’t you do any better?”
“Patience. The key to a good hunt is all in the thrill of the chase,” Fell boasted. “Wouldn’t you say so, Verdant?”
“Not particularly,” Verdant said.
“Ahh Verdant—you are always such a drip on these thrilling adventures.” Fell rolled his eyes, then nudged his sun stallion into a trot, taking the lead again before Birch could catch up.
“Come on, Verdant. Can’t you smile even once? It’s one of the only tolerable things about you,” Birch sneered.
I frowned.Why are they picking on Verdant? I know they said she normally releases the stag if she catches it, but doesn’t Solis, too? They haven’t said a mean word to him.
It was also interesting that, even though Solis was in the middle of the pack in terms of power, all the other monarchs tookgreatcare to gently handle their horses in front of him.
Verdant ignored the Summer King and cantered after Fell.
I trotted after them. “Steve,” I called. “Now, please.” I nudged Comet into a canter as my shade—who had been bounding behind me—let out an eerie, soulful howl that made the sun stallions scream and briefly upset the hounds.
