Chapter 102 - Hunting With The Barbarians (2) (2/2)

Ishakan’s attention was not on Blain. His eyes were focused on Leah’s wrist, glaring at the harsh grip that held her. Slowly, dangerously, his eyes shifted to Blain’s face.

“Crown Prince, what are you so afraid of?” His lips curved in an empty smile, and his eyes glittered, cold and ominous. His voice was calm, but piercing, as he challenged the prince. “Do you think I’m going to capture and marry the princess right now?”

Anyone listening could tell he was trying to provoke the Prince. Blain took a deep breath, trying to contain his irritation.

“Why should I be afraid?” He retorted. He could keep a smile on his face even when he was angry. “You have come to Estia personally, with the intent to sign a peace treaty. I assume you won’t do anything to start a war.” His voice was as chilly as the winter wind. “You should not covet what another possesses.”

Ishakan considered these words, and then gave a short laugh. Leah glanced at Cerdina. The queen looked happy. Normally, she would be provoked by any display of thoughtlessness or disrespect to her precious son, so it struck Leah as strange. Uneasy, she kept an eye on the Queen.

Ishakan also glanced at Cerdina, smiling.

“Really, now…I think this is going to be a fun hunt,” he said. His golden eyes glinted, sly and enigmatic.

“I can’t wait for it to start,” Blain replied, and Ishakan turned away. Blain watched Ishakan’s back before he turned away as well, dragging Leah back to his camp. He released her there, continuing his preparations for the hunt, testing his bowstring and examining his horse’s saddle. He didn’t look at her until he finished.

“Leah, the handkerchief,” he ordered.

Silently, she offered him the handkerchief she had brought. It was not a significant item, just something she had found by chance around the palace, and though Blain must have known this, he accepted it without protest. He didn’t care where it came from, the important thing was that she was giving it to him.

“Do you want a deer’s horn?” he asked, tying the handkerchief around his wrist. “Or a fox tail?”

She knew her brother would keep bothering her until she chose something, so she answered automatically, without enthusiasm.

“I want the fur of a fox,” she said.

But the first animal that came to mind was not a fox, but a wolf. The beast that reminded her of Ishakan. Immediately, she shook the thought away.