“I know, dear,” said the queen. “But your father still doesn’t want you to leave the castle. The horses are being tended.”
While Vixie pouted, Aerity stepped up.
“Mother, may I see Wyneth?” Aerity asked. “Please.”
The queen pressed her lips together. Her eyes dropped.
“She is not well, love. She won’t speak.”
Aerity swallowed hard at the thought of joy-filled Wyneth gone silent.
“I won’t bother her. I swear.” It was killing her to be kept away.
Queen Leighlane thought about it and Aerity’s spirits soared when she finally nodded. “Perhaps seeing you would be best for her. But don’t be offended if she wants you to leave. Don’t press her. Understand?”
“Aye.”
“And be gentle with your aunt Ashley. She’s not herself either.”
Aerity nodded, sad to hear it.
Her mother’s maid stayed to watch over the children while Aerity rushed to her cousin’s chambers. Wyneth’s mother, the oldest of the king’s younger sisters, sat on a cushioned bench in the hall, a handkerchief held loosely in her hand as she stared at the wall.
It hurt to see this strong woman appear lost and broken. Lady Ashley’s usually pristine dress was slightly crumpled. More faded hairs than ever streaked her red locks. Princess Aerity knelt with her hands on her aunt’s knees and lowered her head in respect.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Aunt Ashley.”
Everyone knew she’d loved her future son-in-law. They’d all loved Breckon.
Lady Ashley softly patted Aerity’s shoulder but said nothing. The princess stood silently and went to Wyneth’s room. She knocked twice and pushed the heavy wooden door open. The curtains had been drawn, and no lamps were lit, blanketing the room in darkness. Aerity’s first instinct was to brighten the space, but she didn’t want to shock her cousin’s eyes.
Wyneth lay curled in the middle of the bed, a grievous sight. The princess rarely found reason to cry, but she feared she might now. She climbed onto the bed and curled herself around Wyneth, swallowing back the burn of moisture. Aerity pressed her cheek to the back of her cousin’s head and rested her palm against her arm.
“I’m so sorry.” Aerity’s voice shook.
Her cousin’s words came out garbled and nearly unrecognizable. “It can’t be real, Aer. Tell me it’s not real.”
“Oh, sweet Wyn . . .” The princess’s heart swelled with grief.
An anguished moan rose from Wyneth, and her whole body rattled, making Aerity break out into gooseflesh at the mournful sound. Wyneth fumbled weakly for Aerity’s fingers. The princess reached out and grabbed her cousin’s searching hand, lifting it to her cheek.
Together, they held tight to each other and cried.
Chapter
4
Breakfast in the formal dining room was a drab affair. The room felt stifled by the dead air, and the heavily embroidered curtains hung limp without the sea breeze. Aerity doubted that opening the castle windows during the day would lure the beast, but her father and his men weren’t taking any chances.
Princess Aerity glanced around at the somber faces of her parents, aunts, and uncles. Everyone but Wyneth was present. Her young cousins seemed to have caught the grim mood of the room, which further plummeted as a messenger arrived and whispered in the king’s ear.
Her father’s face fell into stern lines as he sent the messenger away. His jaw muscles tightened. The adults and Aerity set their utensils down while the children continued to fuss among themselves, pushing their food around.
“What’s happened now?” whispered Queen Leighlane.
Fury burned underneath the king’s response. “Two of the royal guards were killed during their night hunt.”
Aerity’s stomach constricted. She thought of Harrison and was glad he was part of the navy and not the guard.
The queen and Aerity’s two aunts shared troubled glances, and her uncles pushed away their plates. Breakfast was over.
Rumors flew through the castle all day.
Princess Aerity didn’t know either of the victims or their families, but it still grieved her. Panic rose as the restless energy around the castle grew. Aerity eavesdropped on the adult conversations, wishing her parents would include her. She was seventeen, after all, and she’d be queen someday.
She heard one of the guards had still been alive when they found him, but not for long. His injuries had been too grave for the royal doctors. Even Mrs. Rathbrook could not repair a body when its internal organs had been haphazardly ripped out.
Aerity wished she hadn’t sought out the gruesome details.
How had the great beast gotten past the castle wall to attack? The wall was incredibly tall. If it somehow climbed over, it would have surely been spotted by the myriad of guards stationed at the perimeter. The only other way in or out was to swim the waterways, which were deep and wide, with powerful currents.
The thought of the great beast being able to swim sent a shiver zinging across Aerity’s skin.