“The Hunt,” she said, her voice lilting with delight.
I sat up straighter.“What’sthe Hunt?”
Mira’s grin widened as she began to pace the room.“It is tradition,” she said, waving a hand in the air, as if that explained everything.
I wasn’t reassured.Not even a little bit.
Theo, who was leaning lazily against the wall, let out a soft huff.“Yeah, I’m going to need more than that, Mira.”
Mira’s expression turned positively wicked.“It is a game of pursuit.Prey and predator.”
Unease coiled in my stomach.
“The males select their ‘prey’ from among the females, and then they… hunt them.”
I stiffened.“I’m sorry, theywhat?”
Mira held her hands up quickly, seeing my alarm.“It’s not what you think!No one gets hurt.It is a test of skill, wit,” her smile deepened, “and desire.”
Theo pushed off the wall and folded his arms across his chest.“Define ‘hunt.’”
“The females are chosen beforehand, but they do not know by whom.Once the hunt begins, the males must track and catch their chosen prey.”She cast a look at Theo, already anticipating his complaint.“Without using their powers.”
He didn’t look convinced.
Mira, however, was clearly enjoying herself.
“It’s about instinct, strategy—” she paused for dramatic effect, “and who wants it most.”
Silence filled the room.
I shifted uncomfortably on the bed.“What happens when they catch her?”
“The catch is sealed with a kiss.”
Theo let out a sharp bark of laughter.“Whew, that’s much better.For a second I thought this was going to get weird.”
“The king,” I blurted.“Does he join the Hunt?”I immediately wanted to swallow the question back down.I shouldn’t have wanted to know.
“The king has no need to hunt.”
Of course he didn’t.
My shoulders loosened as the tension melted from my spine.At least I wouldn’t have to worry about him.
“So, what about us?”Theo pointed between himself and Tavrik, who had been so quiet I’d almost forgotten he was there.“Are we just supposed to watch?”
Her cheeks flushed.“Of course not.All males must participate.”
I groaned, gesturing vaguely between Theo and Tavrik.“So, can’t I just pick one of them and be done with it?”
“Elira!Where is the fun in that?”She swatted my arm.“The whole point is the chase!”
“Yeah, Elira,” Theo mimicked her, swatting me also.“Where’s the fun in that?”
I kicked him in the shin.
He yelped, clutching his leg while laughing.
