Veri couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. Hayden got exactly what he deserved after what he did to Alock.

She was giddy with delight at how right she’d been about the princess Adelina. Like called to like, and she knew a mask when she saw one – the girl was a master. No one had even guessed what was under that pretty, empty smile.

Oh, Hayden’s face was worth the risk and more. Asher had been furious with her at first, but when he saw the glorious wolf Adelina had been hiding all these cycles his mouth had dropped open in shock and his face had lit up in a way Veri didn’t think anyone had ever seen before.

She felt like it was the morning of Winter Solstice, and all the presents were hidden throughout the Seat. All she had to do was find and unwrap them.

The galinas’ gait was easy and slow as the hunters all let their beasts lead the way through the forest. The participants of the Hunt had a few animals on the radar. Once they’d been sighted all tech had been banned, and the same with advanced weaponry. Only bows, spears, and swords were allowed – without the plasma.

It wouldn’t be easy, but Veri always loved a challenge.

She caught sight of Adelina’s gold-trimmed hair and then the red-haired countess. Adelina reached out and the woman shied away. Instantly Veri felt bad for the girl. She of all people knew what it was like to have people fear her. She kicked her galina into a trot until she pulled up alongside the princess.

The countess made some excuse, a poor apology – and went up to the front of the hunting party with the royal guards.

“I knew you had it in you,” she told Adelina, pretending she hadn’t seen the awkward exchange.

“You seem to be the only one,” Adelina snapped. Then she sighed and shook her head. When she looked at Veri the sunlight streaming through the trees glinted off the purple in her eyes, like an animal’s at night.

Veri frowned. “Was that the first time you let your wolf out?” she asked.

Adelina nodded and stared straight ahead, refusing to meet Veri’s gaze.

Oh goddess, well that explained the twitchy way Adelina listened to the sounds in the forest. The first time was always difficult after. Shedding the weight of humanity was freeing and when it was slipped back on it felt like an ill-fitting dress – too tight and uncomfortable.

“You’ll have to do it more often,” she told Adelina. “It gets easier over time.”

Adelina ducked under a low-hanging branch and Veri went around.

“There is no reason for me to,” Adelina said with a shrug. “My training is not for battle, and I avoid confrontations. It’s not like your homeworld. Your wolf has kept you safe and alive. Here, I am coddled and protected. This is my first Hunt,” she confessed.

Veri shuddered. She would loathe that kind of life. It would drive her utterly mad until she lashed out and destroyed everything around her. As she eyed the princess next to her, she wondered if that might happen to Adelina. At least the princess would be able to escape soon.

“If you need any help – with anything…let me know,” Veri said quietly, carefully. She kept her eyes on the hunters around them, noticing the way Asher stayed within range.

He rode slightly ahead and to the side. Not close enough to overhear their conversation and invade their privacy, but still nearby in case he had to protect them. Asher trusted her with his submissive sister, and Veri felt her heart swell.

Adelina’s eyes darted to her and back. “I don’t need help.”

“After this morning I simply feel I should offer. I apologize if I ruined anything by nominating you for the Wolf. I only wanted to give you the opportunity no one else wanted you to have. We need these moments of fun and peace to deal with what comes next.”

Veri knew what it felt like to be constantly on edge, to fear for her life. During the height of summer the beasts multiplied when their young were born and they were vicious. Deaths rose when the young needed to be fed. Humans were easier prey than the other animals on her planet and she hardly slept for weeks.

Winter was the only time she was able to get a good night’s rest. It was strange to think she would miss Winter Solstice on her planet. Veri sighed wistfully and glanced up at the warm afternoon light. At least the nights were cool and reminded her of home.

“You didn’t ruin anything,” Adelina whispered, tilting her head as a rabbit ran across their path. Her knuckles went white as the galina tried to chase. The cat grumbled and shook its head, but obeyed. “I actually appreciated it. It was my first time playing, and Hayden needed to be taught a lesson. I only wish I hadn’t frightened my only friend away.”

Veri didn’t care what Adelina smelled like, a submissive simply didn’t handle the giant cats that easily. It wasn’t her place to say anything though. If Adelina could challenge Raena…that would be useful. Giselle never would. It simply wasn’t in her nature, not when she preferred to follow orders as a soldier. Raena though, she was on the edge of a ravine, her control on the galaxy so fine and tenuous. Veri’s people would have revolted if she’d tried to offer Alock to the monstrous creatures for peace.

“Well, I am glad you were able to join regardless of the outcome, the rest of them who are fearful will come around. Or they won’t and you know where they stand,” Veri said. “I only wanted to let you know you and Asher have my loyalty.”

The sharp look the princess gave her made Veri smile. She squeezed her galina with her knees and urged him on with a ‘ya!’ towards Asher. Adelina could somehow tell Veri had only meant Asher and Adelina. The princess had been kind to Stefano; she’d spoken with him as if she’d talked with commoners often. It was enough to tell Veri the princess was close with her people, she cared about them.

It didn’t matter how the livestream portrayed Adelina. There was a cunning mind and sharp claws under all that fluff.

“Did you enjoy talks about shoes and jewels?” Asher teased.

Even Adelina’s own brother didn’t know her very well, not more than what was on the surface. Asher knew Adelina cared for the people, and he loved her. That was enough for him. Such a typical male.

“Actually your sister had the most wonderful advice on how to get a sharper edge on my spear,” Veri said, twirling the item around as if it were a baton. She was careful to keep the blade on the end away from her prince, but she let the wind whip his face.

“Did she really?” Asher asked. “Well, I must certainly ask her about my own blades then.”

“You should,” Veri told him, letting her galina prance around his own. “It might help when you realize I’ve won the Hunt.”

Asher grinned and made to grab her but she leapt out of his reach, laughing as they wove through the trees. When they slowed back down to a sedate pace Veri watched Asher’s face grow contemplative as he studied his sister.

Perhaps—perhaps now was the time.

Veri had been sitting on information about Avvis, and she had wanted a second confirmation before she moved on what she had. Now that Hayden had tried to kill her brother, when he knew exactly how Veri felt about him – it was no surprise really, the message she’d gotten from the quiet servant girl on Avvis.

She’d always liked her, and Mary had promised to keep sending intel when Veri mentioned how Indra had plans to harm the royal family. At the time Veri hadn’t cared that the servant girl was loyal, it had only furthered her purpose and ensured obedience. But now…she glanced at Asher. Now she cared what happened to the royals who’d proven themselves fit to rule their galaxy.

“There is something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Asher said.

Veri was surprised. She was just about to say something similar. “What is it?” she asked, directing her galina closer until her knee brushed Asher’s.

“There are a few things Raena knows that I am positive she didn’t find out herself. I’ve been getting reports from my sources and they point to one person,” he said, dropping his voice.

Her heart rate ratcheted up as she tried to think of who it could be.

“He is very close to the royal family, and I’m worried about what he could accomplish.”

Veri frowned; filtering through every male she knew who lived at court.

“What do you think I should do?” Asher asked, switching his bow to his right hand.

The spear was heavy, but she had the stamina to carry it all day and night if she needed to. Veri twirled the spear until it rested across her shoulders and she let her arms rest on it as she thought. “Well, it depends on what you believe their end goal is I suppose. Is it something you want, or something you don’t want?”

Asher’s eyes sparkled at her before he turned back to surveying the forest. “It’s something I don’t want to occur.”

“And this person has the power to get what they’re after?” She steered her galina with her knees around a massive tree and leaned back a bit. Veri closed her eyes and scented the wind. There was something musty and large close by.

“In a fashion,” Asher responded. “They have received a promise for their service.”

“It would be easy to make their death look like an accident out here, if he happens to be among us. Or, you could use him for your own end, and we both know there is only one person who could outrank and out-dominate you.” Veri caught the scent again and flipped the spear into her strong hand.

Instantly Asher was on alert, searching the trees for what she sensed.

The scent came from the east and she altered her course. “There is something I need to tell you as well.”

Asher arched a brow. He nodded for her to continue and Veri closed her eyes once more, trusting in her galina to avoid any obstacles as she tracked the scent.

“Archduchess Indra is working with the Neprijat.”

She smelled his fury, but she’d expected it. The galinas crouched and their hackles rose. Veri stroked her cat and murmured soothing words in the old language. “I haven’t told you or anyone, because I needed proof. It was a dangerous claim to make, especially after Indra denied a marriage between our Houses. Then I had to see who knew and who didn’t.”

Asher was furious, but it wasn’t directed at her. “You have proof?”

Veri nodded and took a disc from the compartment in her brassiere. She tossed him the information that she’d held onto for the last twenty-four hours. “Everything is there,” she told him in the Ancient language, as quietly as possible. “The messages between the Archduchess and the Neprijat King, who knew of her plans and who didn’t, and then there is the proof of that as well. It seems she thought Masha at tenth in line to the throne was close enough to tempt the Neprijat who had no qualms murdering ten people to achieve their end. Adelina would have been better, and Raena the best option, but Adelina and Raena are protected here in the core. Giselle managed to escape, but just barely per the reports. They want a royal, Asher – a royal female.”

He glanced around the forest. The other hunters had gotten far ahead of them and that was perfect. They were headed in the wrong direction regardless. The deer were there, but there was something much bigger east, where she had her galina headed.

“I’ve only heard rumors about this. It’s why my sister’s courtesan is here in the palace. My father wanted extra protection due to hints of a plan to assassinate the royal family. We didn’t know why until recently. To hold power the Neprijat want a queen…” Asher trailed off as he followed behind her.

“Do you think he has a Corinthian wife then?” Veri mused.

Asher jerked as though she’d slapped him. “You mean, one of Prince Nash’s sisters?”

“Well, it doesn’t have to be one of his sisters. The Khara galaxy rules with strength and not dominance,” Veri reminded him. “Any with royal blood would do.”

The prince shook his head. “I hope for her sake the Neprijat King doesn’t.”

Veri opened her eyes and caught a flash of brown. “There is also the possibility he has no need of a Corinthian royal. If the Neprijat King possesses something akin to royal blood – he won the fight for strength…I wonder how he rules the Drakesthai.”

“You have a keen mind,” Asher murmured, watching the way her eyes studied the trees, the lack of bird calls, and the minute sound of rustling. “It’s why I wanted your opinion on the other matter.”

“You can always come to me, Asher,” she whispered. “Whatever you need, I’m here to serve.”

Veri bared her teeth as she saw movement. The beast was hers.

One split-second to judge the wind and the trees and she drew back. Veri threw with all her strength. The spear whistled through the forest. A roar reverberated through the trees as she hit her mark. She spurred the galina forward and slipped the sword from the sheath on her back.

The spear had gone right through its throat. Veri sheathed her sword then and dismounted. She ran up and slipped her knife from her boot instead. In one quick, smooth motion she plunged it into the beast’s heart, ending his pain and suffering.

A prayer of thanks to Katsia and Veri turned to grin at Asher. “I’ve brought you a bear for your dinner, mia principe.”

Asher grinned and took the horn from his saddle and blew it three times to alert the other hunters. Veri had felled an animal first, and the largest one in the forest. Hunters and servants filled the trees and someone handed Asher a crown. She couldn’t take her eyes off the ruby.

With one strong jerk of her arm the spear slid out of the bear and she spun it around once before sinking it into the ground. She went to one knee and bowed before Asher.

“Lady Veri,” he said, loud and clear for all to hear. “I crown you Queen of the Hunt.”

She looked up into his dark eyes and Asher was the only person in that forest. He was all she saw as he placed that crown of bleached bone and the single, fat ruby on top of her head. Asher smiled down at her and she grinned back. Somehow, Asher had given her everything she’d ever wanted, just not in the way she thought she’d get it.