Chapter 6

A valynn paced the second-story library. The smell of parchment and leather filled the room. Excitement and nervousness over the arrival of the carriages cascaded through her. She kept her focus down, on the vines and leaves on the gold and red carpet beneath her boots. Not knowing what to do with her hands, she wrung them together. "Any sign of them?"

Lily perched on the seat of the large rectangular window. She parted the purple silk drapes and peered out. "Not yet."

Pulling and cracking her fingers, she again paced about the room. She did not care how the other hunters would respond when they found out she'd replaced Engrendorn. Her mind was fixed on the Sublander. Would he be cunning like Father? Strong like Kragar? Handsome like the dead Engrendorn? She needed to know as much as possible about the one that would face last place.

Lily gasped and flashed Avalynn a wide grin. "The guards are opening the gates."

"Finally." She opened the purple drapes a bit more and locked her chin on Lily's dainty shoulder. "Let us see what we are dealing with, little princess." She would learn what she needed and then teach her little sister a few things about being a royal.

The bright sun bounced off the first three intricately carved carriages. Their richly painted banners flapped in the wind. She did not care about those. Her gaze zipped to the last carriage. Plain brown. No banner. Hideous—a wonder it had made it to Summit Range in one piece. "Look at that thing."

"Eww." Lily looked up with a scrunched nose. "Is that ugly thing the Sublander's?"

"I believe so." She wasn't sure what she had expected. But whatever horrible thing fell into the pit of her mind's eye, this was it. "They are Sublanders, after all." Lowborn losers without a decent carriage in which to travel and roam the countryside.

"I suppose it smells like a goblin's den in there."

She kissed her sister's soft cheek and chuckled. "I suppose you are right." She had heard the Sublanders carried a certain awful smell of rubbish and rotten fruit perfume.

The brown carriage stopped. A tall woman dressed in copper pants with a copper shirt and long, dark braided hair stepped out. Next came a woman in brown with a black cloak. Her red hair flamed like a forest fire.

"Which one is the hunter?" Lily leaned forward and squinted.

Avalynn kept her focus on the carriage. She spotted movement within. "There is someone else." Here comes the goblin. The red X on Kragar's parchment. But, a tall, slender, and flawless fae hopped out. A small gasp escaped her lips. He wore black pants with a silver shirt. Two strands of sleek black braids framed his face. The rest of his hair hung past his shoulders. Full lips, chiseled high cheekbones, and a perfectly pointed nose—he did not look like any lowborn she had ever seen.

Lily glanced over her shoulder with widened eyes and an open mouth. "Who is that?"

Avalynn bit her bottom lip and swallowed. "I think…" He moved with grace. He strode with royal confidence. "That might be…" Heat rose in her cheeks. Her heart thumped. "It could be the Sublander."

Lily's long lashes fluttered. She swung her head back around. Her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder. "If he came from royalty, he could court me."

"Oh, come on now, Lily." She furrowed her brow. "You must remember, as a princess in line for the throne, that looks are deceiving. He is a lowborn and a Sublander. The beauty of our enemies does not change what we must do. And I must defeat him." He must come in last place.

"Ok. Fine." Lily hopped from her perch and took Avalynn's hand. "Let's go see him up close. You have to be there for the processional. But if you are not up to it, perhaps I could take your place."

Avalynn chortled as they hurried along the empty corridor. "You would not stop looking at the Sublander." They trotted down the stairs. Avalynn glanced at a full-length mirror at the landing. How did she look? Black velvet pants with embroidered vines along the sides. A fitted purple shirt with pearlized buttons down the back and matching pearl cuffs. She regretted not wearing a dress or something with a plunging neckline. She huffed and pushed the notion aside. Why should she care what that Sublander thought? She grunted under her breath. He did not matter. She had no need to invest any further thought in a dead hunter walking .

Rounding the landing's corner, Maid Nia nearly collided with them. "There you are!" She raised her brows. "Where have you been? The hunters have arrived and checked in. It is time for the presentation to the High King and High Queen." She took Lily's hand. "I will take the little one. You take your place with the hunters. Hurry."

"Sorry, Nia." Avalynn smoothed her long dark hair with her shaky hands. "I am right behind you."

Her stomach twisted into a knot as Nia and Lily disappeared from view. Why was she so flustered? She drew her shoulders back and held her head high. Resting her hand over her heart, she drew in a deep breath. She knew the answer—because the Sublander was beautiful, that was why.

She neared the vestibule. Strumming harps and light chatter drifted her way. The smell of gardenias and roses filled her nose. She needed to heed her own advice. His looks didn't matter. Not one bit. She was the Stromm hunter. Her task was not to know or understand the Sublander. Her task dictated that she follow her father's command and Kragar's warning.

The Sublander must die.

Avalynn entered the vestibule for the procession. A throng crowded the wide-open and tall space. Harpists played at every corner. Selene, Eiric, and Finnian gathered in the middle but kept their distance from one another. They had no idea she would be joining them.

She scanned the faces in the crowd and quickly found the Sublander. He and his group stood in the far corner of the room, away from everyone. His eyes looked downward as if he studied the marble floor with its flecks of inlaid gold. His eyes then hit the walls with their intricate wood-carved patterns. He ran his finger over the smooth, detailed surface. He looked like a kelpie out of water—so out of place. Making sure he finished last would be no problem. Until that time, she would not mind keeping an eye on him, which would be the easiest part of all.

The heavy double doors to the receiving room opened. The music stopped. Two doormen stepped aside, and Maid Nia came forward. Her pure and elegant voice filled the room. "The escorts and dignitaries may enter. The hunters will line up in the same order they arrived."

The music started again, and the scene inside bustled. Avalynn turned her attention back to the Sublander. This time, he was not looking around. This time, his steely gray eyes were locked on her. Their gazes met. Smoldering heat oozed all around him. A flush worked its way up her cheeks as a wave of desire raced through her. She quickly turned away, her breath catching in her throat. Oh my . She placed her hand on her chest, calming her beating heart. Forget his looks. Remember his station. He was nothing more than a lowborn, and she had a job to do.

"Princess Avalynn." Selene approached, her voice syrupy sweet though her eyes revealed a hint of irritation as they narrowed at the corners. "So lovely to see you."

She nodded, not wanting her or anyone else to know how she had reacted to the Sublander. She raised her chin high. "Selene."

"Princess Avalynn," Eiric and Finnian said at the same time, bumping elbows as they bowed before her.

"Eiric, Finnian," she replied without making eye contact .

The hunters shuffled about and began moving into a line. Selene, then Eiric, then Finnian. The Sublander stayed at the rear. Of course. Avalynn took her place at the front.

"Where is Engrendorn?" asked Finnian. As a Stromm and first in line to the crown, she owed him and the others no explanations. The sooner they accepted that, the better. "I am the hunter for House Stromm."

A trumpet blared, and a string of violins joined. She readied herself to make her entry when the Sublander's shoulder brushed against hers. He zipped past, and walked into the receiving room first. "What the…"

Avalynn's mouth fell open. Her hands balled into fists at her sides. A Sublander? Leading the procession? She pushed away the fact that he smelled like delicious spicy vanilla and sandalwood as she shot daggers with her eyes through the back of his neck and quickly sifted through her options. Make a scene, stop the procession, and force him to the back. He cut in front of Avalynn Stromm after all. Or, march forward now and make him pay later. With the room filled with onlookers, she opted for the second choice. She would have to put him in his place later.

The escorts and other invited guests parted, forming a center walkway for the hunters. One after the other, they made their way to the end of the room where her mother and father sat on their day thrones fashioned from Stardust Oak, the sparkling wood. They wore coordinating purple and black like her. A show of force and royalty. Ceremonial crowns of ivory, gold-dipped vines, and leaves with crystal accents adorned their regal heads.

Master Kragar stood behind her mother. Avalynn paused a step when her gaze landed on Raelor the witch who loomed behind her father. His long white hair hung loose. He wore all black, matching the molten black staff in his hand. His eyes sparkled like diamonds as they drifted across the faces of the hunters. She swallowed. She had not anticipated seeing him, but then she supposed it made sense. The hunt was a grand event. Not to mention the addition of a Sublander.

The hunters neared. Her father's nostrils flared while her mother's brow raised. They glanced at each other as if they did not understand why Avalynn was not first in line. Biting the inside of her cheek, she buried the impulse to put the Sublander where he belonged right then and there.

Master Kragar stepped forward. He guided the hunters to their designated positions. The Sublander moved into place, and she and the others filed in. The room fell silent. She took deep breaths through clenched teeth as she managed the fiery emotions raging inside. Looks be damned. The Sublander was going down.

Her father rose and clutched the hilt of the dagger at his waist. His commanding voice filled the room. "Welcome dignitaries, escorts, and hunters. The High Queen and I open Stromm Palace to you for the Tenth Summit Range Hunt."

Claps and cheers broke out. He scanned the crowd, accepting the praise, before his penetrating green eyes stopped on the Sublander. "Each hunter will step forward and announce themselves, beginning with House Stromm and ending with the Sublands." He drew out the word ‘Sublands' like he had unleashed a deadly disease.

She smirked and side-eyed the Sublander, who'd been put in his proper position by her father. And in front of everyone. Served him right.

She stepped forward, knocking him with her shoulder, and bowed to the throne she would sit on one day. "I am Avalynn Stromm, and I am honored to compete for House Stromm."

She stepped back, and the other hunters followed suit. Paying them no attention, she waited for the Sublander's announcement. When his turn came, a different kind of silence settled in the room. Strained and defensive—as if all of Faevenly paused for a public beheading.

He stepped forward with a long stride. His shoulders back. His dark hair was smooth, shiny, and perfect. "I am Mateo Vela, the Sublands' hunter. I will be honored to win first place at this year's hunt."

Gasps rang out in waves. Someone in the back of the room hollered. Her father whipped his cloak behind his back. He growled to his witch, "Put him in his place."

A sinister smile spread across Raelor's pale face as he swooped in. He flung out his arm and stretched out his fingers. He pointed at the Sublander, then commanded in a low and gravelly tone, " Move to your proper place ."

The Sublander clutched his neck. Choking sounds sputtered from his lowborn mouth as Raelor's compel controlled him. His right leg stepped forward with a jerk, followed by his left. Avalynn stayed still lest the witch's command somehow spread to her. She kept her attention on the tuft of red hair on top of Kragar's head as the strain from the Sublander's throat echoed through the room in spurts and and grunts as his boots skidded across the marble floors with each involuntary movement to the back of the line.

When he was in place, silence settled in like a candle being snuffed. Not even a breath from the crowd could be heard. The witch lowered his hand and retook his position behind her father. Raelor was needed after all.

The High King nodded, then returned to his announcements as if nothing had happened. "This year, in addition to the inclusion of the Sublands, a new penalty of death for last place has been instituted." A wicked grin spread across his face. "Along with the immediate banishment of the last place finisher's province."

Whispers broke out. Avalynn's stomach turned. She knew of the death penalty for last place, but banishment of an entire province? Even by her father's cruel standards, that seemed extreme. She would never rule her kingdom that way. Was there something more going on she did not know? Was she being played for a fool? A daughter would not mind. A future queen could not allow that.

With a swish of his cloak, her father returned to his throne.

She wished she could look down the line at the Sublander to see his expression. But she did not dare. What did he think about the newest penalty? What did the others think? Not only did the Sublander face death, but his people were doomed to banishment before the hunt began.

Master Kragar withdrew his axe from his sheath and rested it on his shoulder as he moved forward. "At the crown's pleasure, I have the duty and honor of announcing the prey in this year's Summit Range Hunt." He held out his thick hand to calm the cheering. "The untamed, dangerous, and cunning game this year is the Shadowblood Fox." Oohs and aahs filled the room. "Each hunter will be allowed to view the animals tomorrow. All rules and procedures will be explained at that time as well." Master Kragar moved his axe to his other shoulder and then stepped back.

The High Queen rose, her elegant fingers pushing off the armrest with the slightest touch as if guided by the gentlest breeze. Her dark hair cascaded down her back like an ocean's wave. She smiled in her benevolent and caring way. "My distinguished guests and honored hunters, as you can see, much has gone into the preparations for this year's hunt." Her neck arched with swan-like grace, accentuating her poise. "After tomorrow's viewing of the prey and review of the hunt's rules, we will have the Gala of the Hunter's Moon." She folded her hands together. "And then, of course, the next morning will be the hunt."

More clapping rang out, and the High Queen waited for the quiet to return. "Each hunter will be assigned an attendant at the end of today's celebration. We hope everyone feels welcome. Food and drink will now be served."

Music filled the space, and everyone started buzzing. Avalynn spun on her heels, ready to confront the Sublander for entering ahead of her, but he walked away briskly. She marched toward him, lunged, and grabbed his arm. Her palm tingled from his touch, his arousing scent made her knees weak, and a sea of goosebumps erupted all over her body. She swallowed, dropped his arm, and raised her chin. Stop thinking about him like that. He is a lowborn. "I have no idea who you think you are. But you will not be winning anything."

"Who do I think I am?" He stepped closer and looked her up and then down. He appeared completely unfazed to be standing in front of a princess from House Stromm. The arrogance. "I am Mateo Vela of the Sublands. Get that straight, princess."