Page 79 of A Thieving Curse

Just then, Alexander and Lucas entered from the large archway as Alex said, “…a shame we can’t get some of the meat to the village before it spoils. I’m not even sure we can cure it all.”

Lucas spotted Raelyn and rushed from Alex’s side, practically catapulting into his chair. “We caught a bear!”

Raelyn lifted her eyebrows. “What?”

“This morning, one of Alex’s traps had caught a bear!” Lucas’s voice echoed in the cavern. “He had to ask for my help to get it back to the cave.”

“Truly?” Meredith set down a plate in front of Raelyn as she looked from her son to her husband.

“A black bear,” Lucas confirmed. “We’ve all been working on skinning it all morning!”

“It’s so much more work than dressing a deer,” Alex complained as he sat down.

“Will it be enough?” Meredith asked, excitement coloring her tone.

Peter nodded. “I took a look at it when they started. The tanner should be thrilled.”

“Enough what?” Raelyn asked, slightly offended at being left out and more than a little confused why catching a bear was so wonderful to everyone.

Lucas beamed. “Enough silver to purchase my sword!”

“Oh!” She should have realized. No wonder he was excited. “That’s great, Lucas.”

“Raelyn.” Alex fidgeted with his place setting. “They’ll take the pelt into the village tomorrow. You should go with them. You can say you’re Jasper’s niece here on a visit if anyone asks questions.”

Anticipation surged through her, but she tried to rein it in. “You won’t be lonely?”

“A little, but I’m used to it.” He shrugged and loaded his plate. “I’ll just be starved for attention when you all get back.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s only a day, Alex.”

“I’m a prince; I’m needy.” He winked, and her cheeks warmed.

Raelyn hardly slept that night, thinking about talking to other people for the first time in five weeks. She woke earlier than usual and was antsy throughout breakfast. After they ate, and the men loaded the giant pelt into the cart, they headed out. Alex walked with them for part of the way. After about half an hour, they paused to leave Alex behind.

“Have fun, Raelyn.” Alex smiled, although sorrow touched his eyes.

“We’ll be back soon,” she promised.

Alex turned to hug Meredith and tousled Lucas’s hair, then gave Jasper a look Raelyn couldn’t interpret. “Be safe.”

“Always,” Jasper said.

Alex checked that his shirt was secured to the cart, and they continued without him. After a few minutes, Raelyn looked back. He still stood in the same place, watching them. He was too far away to see his face clearly, but he appeared worried.

“He seems anxious,” she noted.

“Yes,” Jasper murmured with a pinched expression. “He always worries.”

Raelyn glanced at Alex’s shirt tied to the cart. “Because of monsters?” Meredith nodded. “Have you been attacked before?”

Everyone looked away. Jasper went pale. Lucas tapped his fingers against his leg like he did when he was uncomfortable. Raelyn wanted to ask what happened, but Jasper’s teary eyes kept her quiet.

Jasper sighed, then spoke softly. “Her name was Leanna. She was my wife. About a year after coming to Klainar, we were attacked by some strange chimera beast on our way back from the village. She didn’t make it.”

“I—I’m sorry.” Raelyn didn’t know what else to say. She walked in silence, her footsteps rote as her shock faded to an aching sadness.

The mood was somber the rest of the trek to the village. Even Lucas’s occasional prattling didn’t remove the sorrow from Jasper’s face or ease the discomfort in Raelyn’s chest.He lost so much. And yet he stayed. They all did. For Alexander.She hadn’t known people could be this selfless.

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