Page 90 of The Poison Daughter
The image of her running through the trees in a white dress flashes in my mind unbidden. I saw the way her pupils dilated when I mentioned the hunt. She was curious. I hate to admit that I’m just as curious about how she’d react.
The guards walk through the crowd, reminding us of the rules as the song changes over.
I can practically feel the hum of excitement in the air as hunters tip their heads back, scenting the air. It’s a gift bestowed on many of us thanks to a blessing bestowed by Elvodeen to the Davilian family. Thoseof us who hunt in the Drained Wood need it to know when the blood mist is coming and that enhanced sense of smell saves lives.
I can smell Miriam still. I’m not sure if she just didn’t run that far or if my senses are so heightened because I’m desperate for this, but I also don’t care. I just hope she’s ready for me.
Beside me, Bryce stretches and rolls his shoulders to ready himself. “You going to Miriam?”
I nod.
The fiddle music swells, and I scan the crowd. Everyone is caught up in the revel except Stefan Laurence. His narrowed eyes are fixed on me.
Bryce bends toward me. “You think he’s pissed about Seth?”
I shake my head. “Doubtful. That was a test. He was seeing how I handled defending a Carrenwell against one of our people. If he wanted to hurt her, he could have waited for her to be alone and he would have sent someone more competent with stronger magic. They don’t know what Harlow can do, though he definitely wasn’t expecting her to be able to fight.”
“So he wants you to look bad,” Bryce said.
I glare at Stefan as he holds up a flask in a mock toast. He has been a thorn in my side since we both survived our guard test in the same culling season. His family is beloved in Mountain Haven, and they have been gaining influence since the attack ten years ago. Fortunately, our rebuilding efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, and the people of the fort are superstitious, so they are wary of changing leadership after my family gave up so much to help them survive the attack.
Stefan knows he can’t outright challenge me, but it’s smart of him to chip away at my reputation for loyalty at a time when it will already be most in question for our people.
Only me, my parents, and my two best friends know the truth of this marriage arrangement. In order to keep it a secret, we had to keep it from everyone, and we knew there would be anger and frustration from our people. But these few weeks of deceit will provide them with a lifetime of safety. Easier to beg forgiveness once we’ve brought the Carrenwell family down.
Then, the Laurences will be well and truly dealt with.
Eyeing the rest of the group, I estimate only about twenty hunters heading out tonight. More prey than predators, which means somemight go more than one round, or there might be some disappointed prey.
Bryce punches my arm. “Be careful out there. He looks like he’s going to be a problem.”
“One problem at a time. I need this hunt so I can think straight.”
Bryce grins and rolls his shoulder out. “Happy hunting.”
Across the boisterous crowd, a huntsman lifts the bell and rings it.
The hunt is on.
17
HENRY
Bryce sprints into the forest immediately, but I wait until Stefan has disappeared into the trees so I can be sure he stays in front of me.
Once I’m beneath the dark canopy, I’m instantly distracted. The hunt grounds aren’t endless. They only go about three miles before they run into the granite face of the mountain wall. Some prey run the whole time, but experienced players like Miriam go to the same area every time.
I pick up her scent immediately beneath the pine overtones of the forest.
Out of the corner of my eye, a flash of white nightgown punctures the dark. I take off toward her, closing the distance between us in a few quick bounds, and step her into my arms.
She squeals as I shove her back against the nearest tree and kiss her. She bites my lower lip, her hands tugging at my hair to pull me closer.
Miriam smells so good, and there’s a new, illicit feeling to this, like I’m doing something more forbidden now that I have a fiancée. The more I feel my old life being swept out from under me, the more eager I am to enjoy every last moment of it.
I kiss Miriam desperately, trying to chase away the ghost of kissing Harlow that still lurks at the edges of my thoughts.
Lifting Miriam, I press her back against a thick tree trunk. She wraps her legs around my waist.
