Back to her greenhouse.
To her sanctuary.
She made sure to run a few circles, dragging her feet through the snow to not leave a clear path before she bolted through the door and latched it shut.
Her breathing was heavy and her heartbeat relentless. But she didn’t care. Tallulah sank onto the stone floor, clenching her fists tightly. She’d used her magick. She should be afraid. Ashamed for hurting those men and yet, a smile spread across her face as bright and wild as the ivy she conjured. She brought her hands to her chest, clasping them tight. Maybe being a Florecas wasn’t so useless after all.
Two
“Next!”the royal guard yelled.
Evren found it odd that the Blackwind Tavern was where they had the recruits sworn in. Davenport had always been a meeting ground for the Royal Hunters, but the tavern his men had chosen was dark and reeked of debauchery. He’d been here many times in his youth, having grown up just outside the port city. It wasn’t a tavern to brag about, with its dim lights and poor selection of ale.
He fiddled with the rim of his glass, and another man stepped forward, his black boots heavy against the ale-stained wooden floors. It should’ve been Evren swearing the new hunters in tonight, but he was tired and Markus was all too eager to take his place. So, he found a corner to sink into while he kept his eyes locked on the recruits.
“Joseph, do you swear to uphold your oath to the crown? To aid in the hunt for magick across Teravie. To bring each Enchantress you find to Valebridge, alive, as demanded by King Roman himself.” Markus paused, and it took the recruit, Joseph, a moment to realize it was because he waited for an answer.
He cleared his throat and met Markus’ eye. “Yes.”
Evren smiled as he lifted his ale and took a long sip.His lips puckered at the sour taste. He much preferred whisky, but this late in the season provisions were minimal. At the end of the day, it didn’t matter what he drank, as long as he was drinking.
“And do you swear to take your tonic daily, to ensure not to miss the use of magick?” Markus’ voice boomed over the loud patrons playing a lively game of cards in the back of the tavern.
“Yes,” Joseph said with haste. Evren chuckled. The recruits are always so eager to please.
Evren wasn’t keen about taking the tonic. It left a bitter taste in his mouth and an even worse headache the next day. But it certainly worked. He’d had much success the last year finding Enchantresses who’d escaped Valebridge and the tonic he took tugged him right to them.
He’d found six Enchantresses in hiding last year. Six bounties, six payouts. And all he needed was one more. One more catch and he’d be free.
Joining the royal hunt was the out he’d been looking for after his injury. A Healer turned on him on the day of the uprising, using her magick to snap his leg in three places, leaving him unable to continue as Captain of the Royal Guard and since then he’d felt lost.
A dull ache flashed through his leg at the memory. Shrugging it off, he took another sip of ale.
He’d found his new place as the headhunter of King Roman’s new Royal Hunters. All he needed was to acquire one more Enchantress, pocket his coin, and board a ship that would take him far, far away from here. Far away from the responsibilities of home looming over his shoulder.
“I officially announce you, Joseph Huxham, as a royal hunter for King Roman.” Markus pinned a grizzly badge to the recruit’s wool vest.
Joseph turned toward Evren.
The kid couldn’t be over eighteen. His bright hazel eyes lit up as Evren nodded his approval.Just a boy.
“Thank you, Captain Fletcher,” Joseph said.
He stepped back in line with the rest of the men. Something in Evren’s stomach sank at the title.Captain. He hadn’t been a true captain in a year. Not since his injury, but the name stuck; the men respected him more for it.
Markus dismissed the recruits. He moved through the tables, dipping his head at the patrons, clapping a few on their backs. Evren envied his easy nature and scowled into his cup. They’d grown up together, spending their youth on the docks of Davenport and fishing in the Holden Sea. That is, before Evren left for Valebridge.Markus had stayed behind, helping his father run the family farm.
“Can’t wait to get my first catch,” Markus whispered and slid into the booth. A hunter for only a month, but he’d proven a great asset. One Evren would be remiss without.
Evren poured his friend a tall tankard of ale from the pitcher on the table and handed him the glass.
“The coin alone is going to change everything, Ev. But the thrill of the hunt—” He let out a low whistle. “Can’t wait to get my hands on those filthy women.”
Evren smiled. He wished he shared the same enthusiasm. Even though hunting had been fruitful, he grew tired of the regime. A permanent knot had formed in the pit of his stomach with every Enchantress he delivered to Valebridge. He pushed the feeling aside, focusing on his friend. Markus’ blonde hair glinted under the dim light of the tavern. His dark eyes, much like the eyes of his father, were watchful. Mischievous.
“There has to be some hiding in the forest, don’t you think?”
Evren shrugged. “It’s likely, but there’s a storm coming. Might make things more difficult.”
