Page 15 of A Storm Rises

Mateo’s eyes narrowed. He would stare down each competitor. Especially Engrendorn of House Stromm, the soon-to-be last place finisher. He would be certain to fall first if Mateo had anything to say about it.

Avalynn paced the second-story library. The smell of parchment and leather filled the room. Excitement and nervousness over the arrival of the carriages cascaded through her. She kept her focus down, on the vines and leaves on the gold and red carpet beneath her boots. Not knowing what to do with her hands, she wrung them together. “Any sign of them?”

Lily perched on the seat of the large rectangular window. She parted the purple silk drapes and peered out. “Not yet.”

Pulling and cracking her fingers, she again paced about the room. She did not care how the other hunters would respond when they found out she’d replaced Engrendorn. Her mind was fixed on the Sublander. Would he be cunning like Father? Strong like Kragar? Handsome like the dead Engrendorn? She needed to know as much as possible about the one that would face last place.

Lily gasped and flashed Avalynn a wide grin. “The guards are opening the gates.”

“Finally.” She opened the purple drapes a bit more and locked her chin on Lily’s dainty shoulder. “Let us see what we are dealing with, little princess.” She would learn what she needed and then teach her little sister a few things about being a royal.

The bright sun bounced off the first three intricately carved carriages. Their richly painted banners flapped in the wind. She did not care about those. Her gaze zipped to the last carriage. Plain brown. No banner. Hideous—a wonder it had made it to Summit Range in one piece. “Look at that thing.”

“Eww.” Lily looked up with a scrunched nose. “Is that ugly thing the Sublander’s?”

“I believe so.” She wasn’t sure what she had expected. But whatever horrible thing fell into the pit of her mind’s eye, this was it. “They are Sublanders, after all.” Lowborn losers without a decent carriage in which to travel and roam the countryside.

“I suppose it smells like a goblin’s den in there.”

She kissed her sister’s soft cheek and chuckled. “I suppose you are right.” She had heard the Sublanders carried a certain awful smell of rubbish and rotten fruit perfume.

The brown carriage stopped. A tall woman dressed in copper pants with a copper shirt and long, dark braided hair stepped out. Next came a woman in brown with a black cloak. Her red hair flamed like a forest fire.

“Which one is the hunter?” Lily leaned forward and squinted.

Avalynn kept her focus on the carriage. She spotted movement within. “There is someone else.” Here comes the goblin. The red X on Kragar’s parchment. But, a tall, slender, and flawless fae hopped out. A small gasp escaped her lips. He wore black pants with a silver shirt. Two strands of sleek black braids framed his face. The rest of his hair hung past his shoulders. Full lips, chiseled high cheekbones, and a perfectly pointed nose—he did not look like any lowborn she had ever seen.

Lily glanced over her shoulder with widened eyes and an open mouth. “Who is that?”

Avalynn bit her bottom lip and swallowed. “I think…” He moved with grace. He strode with royal confidence. “That might be…” Heat rose in her cheeks. Her heart thumped. “It could be the Sublander.”

Lily’s long lashes fluttered. She swung her head back around. Her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder. “If he came from royalty, he could court me.”

“Oh, come on now, Lily.” She furrowed her brow. “You must remember, as a princess in line for the throne, that looks are deceiving. He is a lowborn and a Sublander. The beauty of our enemies does not change what we must do. And I must defeat him.” He must come in last place.

“Ok. Fine.” Lily hopped from her perch and took Avalynn’s hand. “Let’s go see him up close. You have to be there for the processional. But if you are not up to it, perhaps I could take your place.”

Avalynn chortled as they hurried along the empty corridor. “You would not stop looking at the Sublander.” They trotted down the stairs. Avalynn glanced at a full-length mirror at the landing. How did she look? Black velvet pants with embroidered vines along the sides. A fitted purple shirt with pearlized buttons down the back and matching pearl cuffs. She regretted not wearing a dress or something with a plunging neckline. She huffed and pushed the notion aside. Why should she care what that Sublander thought? She grunted under her breath. He did not matter. She had no need to invest any further thought in a dead hunter walking.

Rounding the landing’s corner, Maid Nia nearly collided with them. “There you are!” She raised her brows. “Where have you been? The hunters have arrived and checked in. It is time for the presentation to the High King and High Queen.” She took Lily’s hand. “I will take the little one. You take your place with the hunters. Hurry.”

“Sorry, Nia.” Avalynn smoothed her long dark hair with her shaky hands. “I am right behind you.”

Her stomach twisted into a knot as Nia and Lily disappeared from view. Why was she so flustered? She drew her shoulders back and held her head high. Resting her hand over her heart, she drew in a deep breath. She knew the answer—because the Sublander was beautiful, that was why.

She neared the vestibule. Strumming harps and light chatter drifted her way. The smell of gardenias and roses filled her nose. She needed to heed her own advice. His looks didn’t matter. Not one bit. She was the Stromm hunter. Her task was not to know or understand the Sublander. Her task dictated that she follow her father’s command and Kragar’s warning.

The Sublander must die.

Avalynn entered the vestibule for the procession. A throng crowded the wide-open and tall space. Harpists played at every corner. Selene, Eiric, and Finnian gathered in the middle but kept their distance from one another. They had no idea she would be joining them.

She scanned the faces in the crowd and quickly found the Sublander. He and his group stood in the far corner of the room, away from everyone. His eyes looked downward as if he studied the marble floor with its flecks of inlaid gold. His eyes then hit the walls with their intricate wood-carved patterns. He ran his finger over the smooth, detailed surface. He looked like a kelpie out of water—so out of place. Making sure he finished last would be no problem. Until that time, she would not mind keeping an eye on him, which would be the easiest part of all.

The heavy double doors to the receiving room opened. The music stopped. Two doormen stepped aside, and Maid Nia came forward. Her pure and elegant voice filled the room. “The escorts and dignitaries may enter. The hunters will line up in the same order they arrived.”

The music started again, and the scene inside bustled. Avalynn turned her attention back to the Sublander. This time, he was not looking around. This time, his steely gray eyes were locked on her. Their gazes met. Smoldering heat oozed all around him. A flush worked its way up her cheeks as a wave of desire raced through her. She quickly turned away, her breath catching in her throat. Oh my. She placed her hand on her chest, calming her beating heart. Forget his looks. Remember his station. He was nothing more than a lowborn, and she had a job to do.

“Princess Avalynn.” Selene approached, her voice syrupy sweet though her eyes revealed a hint of irritation as they narrowed at the corners. “So lovely to see you.”

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