Page 86 of A Hunt So Wicked
“Evander Volos has chosen Miss Isla Bishop.”
I turned to Isla, who stood frozen, staring straight ahead at Evander, watching him as he approached the stage. Riv was to my left, and I found her with an expression matching Isla’s. Dumbstruck. Heartbroken? I slid my hand into Riv’s and squeezed softly, just letting her know I was there. As though she realized what was happening, her grip clamped down on my hand, and her dark eyes slid to mine.
“Miss Isla, The Volos Kingdom welcomes you. Will you accept my offer of marriage?” Evander asked, his light brown eyes shining hopefully at Isla. He had a much softer look to his face than his older brother, though it was clear they were related.
“I will,” Isla said, stepping forward. As she walked past us, her eyes moved from me to Rivka. To anyone watching, it wouldn’t have been noticed as anything abnormal, but I knew how this must have hurt both of them.
“Alden Oberon has chosen Miss Eliza Simeon.”
Eliza gasped, and Belinda whispered ‘congratulations’ under her breath. Alden stood at the base of the steps, staring right at his chosen. So many of his mannerisms were exactly like his older brother’s. The severity of his gaze, and even the way his hair curled to the left of his head.
“Miss Eliza, The Oberon Kingdom welcomes you. Will you accept my offer of marriage?”
“I will,” Eliza replied, already halfway down the steps. She was eager, but I wasn’t sure it was for marriage. I think she just wanted to get as far away from this island as possible. She looked up at Alden, her full cheeks and perfect nose a lovely shade of pink.
I think what we all wanted—no, needed—was to feel safe. Unfortunately, that wasn’t something we would ever feel in this castle or on this island. I understood now why none of the ruling queens or duchesses were in attendance.
Seven final women remained standing, including Riv and Belinda, and only two royals were left to choose. My hands were shaking, and I felt like my knees might buckle at any second. This had to end.
“We’ll do the final two a little differently,” King Ero announced, getting everyone’s attention. “The man who performed the best during the hunt will go first. Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of tension in moments like these?”
Several men laughed and bantered with each other like this was any other night in an ale house and not a life sentence to the women I’d been through absolute hell with. It infuriated me. The moment dragged on, anticipation building so high that my stomach rolled with anxiety, and a bead of sweat ran down my spine.
“Alasdair Oberon,” Ero said, looking right at him. Relief flooded me. It was going to be okay. “You will choose last.”
The room exploded with applause, and I blinked, trying to process what he’d just said.
“You will choose last.”
Dair didn’t win. Torin had.
“This was a very close decision! It came down to something that happened at the very end of The Hunt that put one man above the other. This is why we always teach you to never hesitate! You don’t know who could be right behind you—someone who won’t pause, someone who wants it more than you.”
I made him hesitate.
By calling Dair out by name, I’d made him hesitate in striking me down. Then Torin showed up and did what he was supposed to do. I did this, but I wouldn’t be standing here right now, otherwise. The details about scoring were unclear, so maybe it didn’t make a difference. There were too many unknowns.
I looked at Dair, standing tall, right next to his best friend. His fists clenched and unclenched slowly, as though he was close to exploding. He glanced up, meeting my eyes, and I swallowed roughly as they burned me to my core. I wondered if he’d just come to the same conclusion I had. By not killing me, he may end up losing me, regardless. I couldn’t tell if he wanted to climb the platform and make me scream in fear, or snatch me and drag me off to somewhere private and make me scream in pleasure.
It could’ve gone either way, and I hated the way my heart thundered with excitement as I considered both scenarios.
“It’ll be okay, Eves,” Riv whispered to me, having noted the quickening of my breaths. “Slow your breathing.”
“Congratulations, son,” Ero said, pulling Torin into a tight hug. After releasing him, he held out the scroll and pointed, showing Torin what was written. He must have been happy with it because he grinned widely at his father.
It was as though the world had slowed to a crawl, simply to torture me. I stared forward, watching Torin approach Dair. He held out his hand, and Dair took it. The two of them congratulated one another, but as Dair went to drop his hand, Torin pulled him closer into a one-handed hug. A gesture I’d seen boys and men do all the time, except I could see Dair’s face.
Torin was saying something nobody could hear, and Dair’s eyes snapped to mine. His face turned a deep shade of red, and it could have been the lamps overhead, but I swear I saw a flash of yellow in his eyes. He was livid. Torin released Dair and grinned at him, completely unphased by his best friend’s murderous expression.
“Torin Volos, you may go collect your chosen bride,” King Ero shouted, riling up the crowd even more.
Belinda was practically vibrating as Torin stared right at her as he sauntered up to us.Thank the Goddess.He easily climbed the stairs in one bound and stood before Belinda. The room was silent. I hated that Belinda was about to become a future queen, but relief smothered all other feelings, knowing that Dair would be able to choose me. The moment dragged on as Torin simply studied Belinda like she was some kind of rare jewel that had to pass a clarity test.
“Your Highness?” she whispered, her voice shaky and hopeful.
Torin abruptly looked over his shoulder, back down to where his father was standing, and right behind him, Dair. He lifted a golden brow in question as though asking,“Well?”and Dair narrowed his eyes. My heart thundered as they had some kind of earnest, private conversation. The hair on my arms lifted. Something wasn’t right. Dair folded his arms over his chest,“No.”.
Torin straightened his shoulders, conversation over, and turned his back to Dair. My eyes widened as Dair turned his own back, putting me and the entire ceremony behind him as he stormed to the bar. Whatever discussion had just happened felt final, and I had a horrible feeling that I had no idea what was really going on.
