Page 38 of Ladybird

Hunter’s mind soared. Whenever he was around Regina he had no idea what to expect with her. A kiss sometimes. A slap at other times. And now a confession of attraction that was instantly followed by a threat to stay silent about it. She was a complicated woman and one he wasn’t sure he would ever understand.

“Good morning, Roger,” called out Regina, waving to the boy as he entered the mews.

“Good morning, everyone,” Roger answered with a quick wave back. “It is going to be a beautiful day.”

That’s when Hunter spotted someone standing in the shadows with their back toward them. He nodded to Regina and used his eyes to point the man out, realizing it was Cassian inside the mews.

Regina looked over her shoulder and then back at Hunter.

“I think he was here all the time,” he whispered.

“It doesn’t matter. He can’t hear a thing,” Regina told Hunter with a dismissing swish of her hand through the air.

“What did you want me to do today, Lady Regina?” asked Roger. “The usual?”

“Actually, I’ve decided I want to go on a hunting trip tomorrow,” Regina answered.

“Hunting? You? With the birds?” asked Hunter.

“Yes, me. However, I’ll only be taking Hera. She hasn’t been hunting in a while and needs the exercise as well as the practice,” Regina explained.

“Aye, my lady. I will ready things for the trip,” said Roger. “Will I be joining you?”

“Nay. I’ll need you to stay here with the rest of the birds.”

“If I come along we can bring two of the birds. They can hunt in a pair the way we’ve been practicing with them,” suggested Roger. “Cassian will be here to take care of the rest.”

Regina nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Roger. That is important. Can you please find Lord Robin for me? Tell him the birds need to hunt and that I’d like him to organize a hunting party for tomorrow.”

“Yes, my lady,” said Roger, hurrying out the door.

“You give orders to your brother?” asked Hunter in surprise.

“Only when it comes to hunting with the birds. He knows that I know the best times to take them. There are certain times when the birds are molting that they won’t be able to hunt at all.”

“I am guessing this isn’t molting season yet?”

“Not yet, so we are fine.”

“Oh, my lord, my lady, I didn’t know you were here,” came Cassian’s voice from across the mews.

“Cassian, I need you to go to the kitchen and have the cook fill the food bag for the birds, please. I want to start training right away.”

“Of course, my lady.” Cassian started to shuffle toward the door.

“Don’t forget the bag,” called out Regina but the man was already past them and couldn’t hear them.

“I’ll take it to him.” Hunter picked up the empty food bag and raced after Cassian. He was just about up to him when Cassian turned around with his hand outstretched. Hunter stopped in his tracks, handing him the bag. It was almost as if he’d heard him coming, although that couldn’t be true since the man could barely hear.

“I know I’ve seen you before.” Cassian looked Hunter up and down. “You are hiding something, and I am going to figure out just what it is.” Cassian turned and headed out the door.

“What did he say?” Regina came to join him.

“Nothing of importance.”

“Hunter, I just realized that I never introduced you to all my birds and neither have I showed you around the mews.”

“Nay, you haven’t.”