Page 128 of The Hunted

And even if she did know, what difference would it make?

The shackles at her wrists and ankles clanged with every bump the carriage hit. A horrible reminder of her current predicament, as though she might forget the last few hours of her life.

Being dragged from Eryx’s bed.

Forced to dress and then be chained, too.

Thrown into a carriage.

Looking to her left, Arelle found the only other person she believed was probably awake in their caravan of carriages. The merwoman—currently resting her head against the side of the carriage where the drapes had been pulled to save them from the rain and wind as much as possible—stayed quiet.

“What is your name?” she asked her.

“Nothing. I am not called by my name.”

That hurt her heart.

“What was your name?”

“Kisa. My mother was a maiden to yours … the princesses were never allowed to play, though.”

“What will happen now?”

Kisa lifted her head, and her gaze turned on her companion with a resounding sadness. “The same thing that has been happening for decades. They hunt us; they keep us; and then they kill us.”

The woman’s words were an echo in Arelle’s heart. A warning, if she ever heard one. Something else—someone else—whispered with wind, too, but she knew Kisa couldn’t hear it.

It was a voice made only for Arelle.

A song that belonged to her.

I’m coming—I’m sorry.

You’re still mine.

Arelle closed her eyes and fell into the rocking of the carriage as Eryx’s voice filled every howl of the wind. For now, it was all she could do.

TWENTY-NINE

Mav, Prince of the Emerald Lands

“AND YOU’RE absolutely certain?” Mav asked, cutting quicker through the choppy waters as he neared the Blu Sea’s court.

The handful of his men following him kept a respectable distance. All but one, that was, and he allowed the man his moment if only because he had information for Mav. Information that was incredibly valuable and would prove priceless for his current cause.

“The spies confirm it. The princess is alive. As of yesterday, she was on route to the Atlas court with the king and his caravan.”

Mav came to a stop and swung on the man. “The landwalkers—they’re traveling in the storms?”

“Appears so, Prince.”

Were they getting … confident?

Or stupid?

Mav couldn’t say there was a true difference between the two when it came to the people of the land. They often made foolish choices for their own selfish needs and wants. Rarely did they think about the consequences of their actions, but especially when it involved someone other than themselves.

So was their way.