Page 104 of The Great Pursuit
He put his face close to hers. “Shooting a target is not thesame as shooting another person, Princess. Be prepared for your first kill to feel as if you yourself were shot in the heart as well.”
Vixie’s heart quickened. “Is that how it felt for you?”
Lief watched her. “Their blood will stain you. It becomes part of you. No matter how justified the kill.”
Vixie swallowed. “All right.” It came out as a croaked whisper.
Lief nodded. “I’ll speak to Aerity once she’s dressed and above deck.” He began to turn, but then paused and looked back at the stairwell, eyes scrunched. “I never saw Paxton come up.”
“Nay,” Vixie said. “He is still below.”
She crossed her arms and waited as his face slowly went slack. The boat began to move, causing both of them to shift.
“Are we docking?” Vixie asked.
He nodded, still lost in his own mind. She saw the muscle at his temple working, and his arm muscles flexed. She had no idea what he was thinking, but Vixie was fairly certain there would be more blood staining Lief Alvi’s soul that evening when the battle began. Much more.
Once they disembarked, the late morning flew past, with people whittling spears, stringing bows, and sharpening blades. It was so cold out that the royal lasses were each brought cloaks. Soon, it was time to say their good-byes to the Ascomannians and ride northeast along Loch River to the town of CrawCoorie. Vixie had been there twice before on travels, and had always loved the historical feel of the place, with its smashed-together old, leaning shops tucked away within hills and valleys. It was one of the largest towns in the kingdom, lined with small thatched houses, sheep farms, and flower fields.
The place was deserted when they arrived at midafternoon. Soldiers and armed townsmen milled about, discussing and preparing. The girls took their horses to the stables. Vixie noticed the tremor in Aerity’s hands as she petted Jude’s nose, her eyes distant.
“Aer?” Vixie whispered. Her sister looked at her and reached for her hand. Vixie took it. She couldn’t imagine the weight on Aerity’s shoulders.
“I don’t want my people to die,” she said. “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t left . . . and then if I had accepted King Dagur’s offer in the first place . . .”
“That is in the past,” Vixie said. “All you can do is learn from it and look to the future.”
Wyneth, having heard the conversation, joined them.
“Even if you had stayed, or accepted his offer, Kalor would have attacked and your people would be fighting. Nothing you could have done differently would have stopped him. I believe even if your father had lifted laws against magic, Prince Vitostillwould have invaded.”
“You’re probably right,” Aerity said. Her face soured. “To think . . . if I hadn’t escaped, we’d be married right now.”
Vixie felt a spasm of disgust go up her spine. “Thank the seas.”
A low thrumming sound came from the distance and the ground shook slightly under their feet. Their eyes went large. Paxton and Harrison came running over.
“It’s probably the Torestans,” Harrison said, easing their worry.
Together, surrounded by their protecting troops, they climbed the hill that hid Craw Coorie from the south. Vixie inhaled a huge breath at the glorious sight of hundreds of men on horseback, spread across the grassy field. She couldn’t help but smile. The troops surrounding them let out a raucous cheer in greeting, the steam of their voices rising up into the frigid air.
When the foreign army arrived, led by Lochlan men, Vixie’s eyes went directly to Tiern. Paxton saw him at the same time and jogged over. They grasped wrists and Tiern dismounted, embracing his brother with a hearty smack on the shoulder. They both laughed. Vixie’s insides swirled at the sight of him smiling, safe. Tiern’s head turned to her and his smile fell. Paxton looked back and forth between them before giving his younger brother one last pat and walking away.
Tiern did not come to her, though. He gave his attention to his horse. Vixie stood there, contemplating what to do as she tugged her cloak tighter around herself. Here they were, on the cusp of battle, both lucky to still be alive, and yet they were not speaking. She lifted her skirts and went to him.
“I’m glad to see you are well, Tiern.”
He undid clasps and buckles, staying busy. “Same for you, Princess.”
“Please, stop a moment.”
He paused, his hands leaning against his horse, then he turned fully to her.
“I don’t take surprises well,” Vixie said. “Or being left out. I understand if you are upset with me—”
“It’s you who’s upset with me, isn’t it?” He cocked his head.
“Nay.” Her insides began to right themselves. “Perhaps at first, but no longer.”
