Page 61 of A Hunt So Wicked
"Like propose to a woman and have her agree to marry your huge ass?" Alden teased loudly, earning the laughter of everyone.
"Careful, little brother. Not only am I a bigger man than you, but I am also a bigger bear." Dair winked, and Alden shook his head.
"Will we remember anything else? Like the actual hunt? Who won? How many animals did I kill?" Mosi rambled as we turned the corner that led to Father's study.
"We will." I spotted Corvus as he walked into the study. "I actually suspect that's what we're being called here for. To restore our memory." I gestured to where Corvus had just been, and there were several murmurs of agreement as well as bets between each other about who beat who. Dair remained stoic as ever, and I frowned. I really thought that shifting would have given him a sense of peace to let loose a little bit.
I stood back as the others entered the room, grabbing Dair's arm before he could follow. "What's going on with you?"
He ran his hand through his black hair. "I'm just... struggling in my mind. Knowing what is a real memory versus a dream. Or a nightmare."
I frowned. "What do you remember?"
He opened his mouth as if to speak and then closed it. Rubbing his hand over his chin, I observed thick stubble from days of not shaving. "It's nothing. It has to have been a dream."
"If you say so," I said slowly, removing my hand from his arm. "But I would like to have a word with you? After this?"
Dair smirked. "Missed me that much?"
"You know you're the only one for me," I replied, fluttering my lashes.
Dair's smile fell. "Do not ever do that again, or I fear I will lose control of my stomach."
I slung my arm around his shoulder and we laughed together as we entered the study.
This was a brand new day. A brand new time for each of us. We'd been made whole with our other halves at last. Tonight, we'd each be betrothed to the women we'd spend the rest of our days with.
And best of all, I'd earned the respect of my father. The King. A title I'd one day bear proudly.
Yes, the tides had turned from good to great. Destiny was within grasp, and I was going to reach out and grab it. For my kingdom. For my realm. For my crown.
Chapter sixteen
Spiritswerehighaswe all gathered in the study. I had to admit, I had never felt so powerful in my life. Even now, with the bear at rest, strength coursed through my veins.
I sensed my brother at my side and found him grinning at me. "I feel like I've been reborn."
"That's a good description, Alden," I replied. "Do you remember much?"
"No. Mostly just sensations—like, I know I must've climbed several trees. It's as if I can feel the wind upon my face, even now." He clapped me on the shoulder. "What about you?"
I searched my head, and I had much of the same. Not memories per se, but feelings. Except for that one thing, the one image that seemed to return to me with the intensity of a lightning strike. I snapped myself out of it before I had to relive it. It was that picture in my mind that snapped me out of my slumber post-shift. It had to have been a dream. A fleeting, haunting vision from my subconscious. They were supposed to be safe from us,right?
"Same as you, brother," I confirmed. "Now we're both the men we're supposed to be. Our kingdom will be better for it."
Movement at the back of the room had all of us turning to the sound. Our fathers, the fathers of the four kingdoms, entered. Each wore strong looks of pride as they gazed around the room, finding their sons in the crowd. I met my father's eyes, and he bowed his head to me and I to him. The room seemed void of air as we waited for the rulers to reach the front of the room.
"Sons of Quintaria!" King Ero proclaimed, holding his arms out wide. "You've done each of your kingdoms proud! We are now stronger than we've ever been. Each of you fought and hunted bravely, bringing great honor to your family’s names!"
Cheers went up, and several of my friends clapped and hollered, boasting about their success. I stood still, as I always had. Even with the excitement and sense of pride hanging heavily in the air, there was still that nagging in the pit of my stomach that wouldn't abate. What was it?
"You all know that we went through the same hunt when we were of age," my father said, arms crossed over his chest.
Mosi and Taj's father stepped forward. "And we all must accept that there are things we must do in order to ensure the success of our realm and the continuation of our bloodlines."
My brow pinched together as the unease in my stomach grew.
"As your memories are hazy, so were ours. For good reason," King Eamon added.
