Page 24 of The Stygian Crown

Kara glanced at the other members of the riding party. She recoiled when she saw Princess Ariana exiting the stable leading Drum. Jealousy flared up Kara’s spine. Why was the princess of godsdamned Teleria ridingherhorse?Still.

Kara cut her head to Logan, catching him looking at her. She shot him a look that could curdle blood. He raised an eyebrow.

Ariana swung into the saddle with no assistance and trotted up to them. Kara watched her like a hawk, looking for signs of poor horsemanship. If the princess donned a crop, Kara was prepared to give her hell.

The princess’s eyes swooped over Kara, assessing her in a glance. “Lady Grey, I presume? I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

Kara bowed her head. “The pleasure is mine, your highness.”

Ariana’s flinty stare swept away. “Let’s head out,” she called. The riders shifted in their saddles and began heading for the distant tree line. “Ride with me, Lady Grey.”

Kara pulled her horse even with Drum at the front of the party. Logan fell in on Ariana’s right, with Serena and the other Vespertines forming a larger ring around her and the party as a whole. Was he her bodyguard now? Or something more?

“You’re quite the mystery at court. No one seems to know anything about you. Last night’s bit of business proved entertaining, though.”

“I had too much to drink, I’m afraid.”

“He probably deserved it.”

Kara wished she could disappear, just ooze from the saddle and melt into the earth.

“I’ve heard you’re on the hunt for a spouse.” Ariana gestured to two women who rode at their flank. Kara had seen them around the palace and the training yard, though they hadn’t been introduced. “Pippa and Tanith, my ladies-in-waiting. They’re nuptially-keen as well. Though I wouldn’t get in their way if I were you.”

Pippa wore glasses, and her brown skin contrasted beautifully with her violet dress. Tanith reminded Kara of a cherub. Short auburn curls danced around her round face, and she had striking grey eyes.

Kara nodded at them. “Lovely to meet you. I’m Celine.”

Drum kept pulling at her bit, moving her head towards Kara. “Where did you come by your beautiful mare, princess?”

“She’s Lord Melbourne’s. A marvelous animal. I rode him—I mean her—frequently on our way back from Karashae City, when the carriage became too stuffy. I’m tempted to buy her off of him.”

Kara bristled at her slip of words, rage hot behind her eyes. Was she baiting her because of what had happened at the ball? Or did she suspect her true identity? “Is she for sale, Melbourne?” Kara asked, unable to keep the bite from her voice. She would never forgive him if he sold her.

“Not my horse to sell.”

“Ah, yes. Not his horse, supposedly, though he brought her to the desert. So I asked among his mercenaries about her owner, yet none would tell mewhomshe belonged to.”

“What are we hunting?” Pippa asked.

“Deer, boar, whatever we come across.” Ariana turned around and raised her voice for the rest of the party. “There’s rumored to be a white stag with a sixty point rack in these woods. I’ll reward anyone who takes him down handsomely. And whoever claims the best kill today shall sit at my side at the feast tonight!”

The party cheered. Kara’s eyes slid to Logan’s bow.

“I should like to see that white stag,” Kara said.

“You doubt it exists?” Ariana asked.

“Every hamlet in Teleria has its fabled white stag, golden goose, or sleeping dragon. More likely a cow escaped someone’s fence, or a bored hunter had a bit too much to drink.”

“Well, you may hunt the normal deer if you wish. Though I see you’ve no bow. Do you know how to shoot?”

Kara shook her head. “Poorly,” she lied.

“Pity.”

“May I take my leave, Princess?” They were nearing the forest, and Kara didn’t want to be at the front of the hunt’s mad dash.

Ariana agreed with a wave of her hand and turned to talk to Logan.

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