Thirteen

Myrin sized up the situation. Gaeleath didn’t look like a man who was too tenderhearted to kill a boar at the moment. From the way the spear had turned in his direction, Myrin was almost certain that if he stayed for the hunt the Cemiri Prince would be marrying Myrae after his death in a terrible hunting accident had been mourned.

If there was any hope of salvaging this the hunt would have to be postponed. He needed to speak to his father and let the diplomats smooth matters.

“Your sister is my first concern in all of this. She needs to be seen by a healer if she feels unwell. This nonsense with the wager can be dealt with another time.”

He stepped away and summoned a servant with a gesture, “See to it the tents are struck and whatever else that must be is done. Princess Marrave is ill and needs to be taken back to the palace with all speed. The hunt is ended.”

Sparing a glance toward Volas’ tent he gave a gesture toward it, “Start with that one. Have the Princess made comfortable in a cart and taken back immediately.”

Marravae would calm, the woman might have a temper but when it cooled she was reasonable. Allowing Volas a chance to take advantage of that would be foolish.

Servants descended on the tent hurriedly and the Arek came out glowering. “Myrin! You wish to forfeit the wager?”

“Never. We never agreed the boar needed to be killed today. Marravae is ill and-”

“She’s ill because you poisoned her to slither into her bed!”

“That’s a lie!” Myrin suddenly felt keenly aware of listening servants. “I’ll perform whatever penance her King and mine ask for my poor behavior, but the matter will be smoothed over and she will be my wife. I didn’t know she’d drunk from the glass I intended for her brother, I had no way of knowing-”

A stream of what he presumed to be curses came out of the Arek Prince’s mouth.

“The hunt will be resumed when she’s well and I’m more certain that I won’t be the creature on the end of the spear.”

Volas sneered and then spat at his feet before storming away to help Gaeleath and Marravae. The Cemiri Prince was doting on his sister almost indecently, letting her cuddle into his chest. Myrin felt both amusement and a twinge of jealousy. He’d been growing to like the thought of trading sisters, whether or not they might trade back on occasion it seemed somehow appropriate. But if they didn't behave more circumspectly there would be speculation on the paternity of any child she gave him if her brother had been visiting.

A servant coughed, bringing him out of his thoughts.

“Yes?”

“Prince Volas intends to have the carriage diverted to his-”

“Absolutely not. She goes to the palace. I want two of the guards who’ve been playing hunter to drive the carriage and another two to ride with her. Prince Gaeleath and Prince Volas can ride on horseback close by. Send a runner or a rider, whatever is faster, I want to be met by guards and at least one healer.”

“Yes, your Highness.”

He watched from a distance as his orders were carried out. Volas’ glare could be felt from where he stood before the man went to fetch his horse. Gaeleath seemed to be refusing to leave the cart, seating himself with his sister. One of the guards looked in Myrin’s direction for an order. With a shrug and a curt nod he allowed the siblings to ride together. It might help to calm them both.

Truthfully, if it had been Myrae, he’d be doing nothing less. He’d also be plotting the Cemiri’s death if their positions were reversed. Calming matters needed to be done immediately. Once Marravae was safely ensconced with the healers he’d visit his father.