“We don’t kill during this hunt. We save such mercilessness for bigger game. Don’t we?” People in the crowd laugh, and there is a twistedness in the way she says it with such joy. “Today will be catch and release. One point for any redtail foxes. Two for silvershadow foxes, known for their pitch-black fur and silvery strands. Then you have the instant win for the rare whitethorn fox. They are known for their pearly white coat with strands of black that look like thorns. But I must warn you, no one has ever caught the whitethorn fox. Simple enough?”
Marcel grins. “I don’t think we’ll have trouble with that.”
“Good.” Her smile takes a more sinister tone. “Now, each of you find a partner and let’s get moving.”
The crowd disperses, each having done this before and most already partnered up.
“Tell me, Vera,” Marcel says, tightening a band around his wrist. “Exactly how rare is this whitethorn fox?”
Vera, who is in a deep maroon dress with endless buttons, like all the other dresses, with subtle patterns of flowers and stars, walks forward. She matches Marcel’s coat and even carries his cocky smirk. “I’ve hunted these grounds many times and have never seen the mystic creature.” She moves until her arm brushes my brother’s. “But we have never had a Saden prince in the fox hunt, so maybe new luck graces us.”
“I’m sure it will,” Ariah whispers, trying to hide an eye roll.
“Did you say something, Lady Ariah,” Vera asks bitterly. “Do speak up.”
Ariah smiles. “I’m simply agreeing with you. Maybe the princes will be the first in all of Haymel history to capture the whitethorn.”
Her sarcasm isn’t lost on me and there seems to be unspoken tension between Ariah and Vera, which will make the hunt all the more interesting. Plus, the opportunity to be the first to find this special fox is hard to pass up.
“What about a competition of our own?” I suggest, and gain the attention of both Marcel and Vera. “The two of you against Ariah and me.”
“What does the winner get?” Marcel raises an eyebrow.
“Bragging rights not enough for you?”
Marcel displays all teeth. “Very well. What do you say, Vera? Do you think we can beat them?”
“That’s easy enough.” Vera eyes Ariah, who doesn’t look the least bit phased.
They leave to collect their supplies and hound.
“I hope you’re okay with this?” I say to Ariah. Maybe I should have asked her beforehand instead of tossing her into the bet. She probably thinks I’m just as ambitious as the rest of them.
“Are you kidding me?” she says. “We, under no circumstances will let them win. I’m not about to let Vera get the satisfaction. We do have a slight problem though.” She bites the corner of her lip. “I’ve never hunted before.”
“Well, that’s a perfect start,” Deean retorts.
“Eli,” I make sure to use his alias. “Make yourself useful and go gather our supplies.” Deean grumbles but does as he’s told. “I’m not much of a hunter for sport but finding things, particularly rare things, is my specialty. Do you trust me, Ariah?”
She squints her eyes at me until it vanishes with a grin. “I might.”
“That’s not a no, so I’ll take it.” I start walking and she follows. She listens intently as I go over the plan for the hunt taking in my every word.
20
ARIAH
The more Iann speaks the more I realize how much he enjoys sharing his knowledge and adventures with others. He has moments of insecurities, questioning if he should continue or not, but with each hesitation I make a point to ask a question that opens him up to sharing more.
His life seems so thrilling it’s hard not to get wrapped up in his stories. Oh, how I wish I had something as grand to tell him, but there isn’t much to see or do in Foxhead, and my anecdotes somehow feel insufficient in comparison.
Iann theorizes different ways to catch the whitethorne. Never having hunted in my life, I listen and agree to take whatever route he thinks is best.
We bring along a hound, one Iann allows to roam ahead of us. In addition to our new four-legged friend, there is one guard, from Saden, accompanying us, as well as Iann’s courtier, Eli.
Eli carries our supplies in a large sack over his shoulder along with a cage in his left hand for any foxes we can find.
“So, if you were a fox, where would you hide?” Iann asks playfully.
