Page 23 of Tides of Shadows

I stopped and looked at him in irritation.

“To shoot arrows,” I said. “That is what bows are for, Cavareth.”

He stared at me as if I had grown a second head. Then understanding dawned on him.

“You’re not going hunting.”

“And who will forbid me?” I folded my arms. “You?”

“If I have to,” he answered, and there was steel in his voice.

He grabbed the bridge of his nose in clear frustration, as though he held back words he would later regret.

“Listen,” he began slowly, weighing each word, “I don’t know how you live on your islands. What a strange role confusion you have there. But here, in White City, things work differently. Men go hunting. Women stay home. The sooner you understand that, the better for everyone.”

I looked at him with murder and contempt in my eyes. I felt anger rising in my chest. I hated it when someone, especially a noble prick, thought he had the right to decide what I do and how I live.

“So now, please,” he went on in that patronizing tone, “be a good girl, dress nicely, wait patiently, and when I return, wait for me with a smile.”

“Asshole,” I hissed.

Without waiting for an answer, I snatched the first bow from the rack that came to my hand, seized a quiver of arrows, and strode out of the armory, ignoring his voice behind me.

“You are not going hunting! This is no place for Ladies!” he shouted, but I no longer listened.

I walked toward the stables with my bow slung over my shoulder, the heat of anger still burning in my veins. On the way I passed lords and nobles, cracking jokes, showing off their weapons, and boasting over old victories. The main hunting party was to ride out through the great gate. Me, Kael and Brenn took our horses and slipped through the side entrance, away from the noise and eyes.

We kept to the edge of the hunt, lingering behind, careful not to draw notice.

We left the horses in a clearing and continued on foot, spreading into a loose cordon as we entered the forest. The air was crisp, birds sang softly overhead, and the trees whispered as the wind moved through their crowns.

How good it felt to escape the stale breath of White City and enjoy the living nature.

Kael whistled low and pointed to hoofprints pressed deep into the soft moss. The animal was close, and large, judging by the size of the marks.

I drew an arrow from my quiver, and we advanced with care, nearly soundless. We quietly spread out through the forest.

When I stepped out from the bushes, I saw him.

A great rack of antlers rose before me. He stood broad and proud, a creature of quiet majesty. His brown coat gleamed in the rays of sunlight filtering through the branches. A magnificent stag.

I lifted my bow, set the string against my cheek, and steadied the arrow. I drew a slow breath.

Then a scream tore through the forest.

“Ruuuun!”

The stag bolted at once, leaping high before vanishing into the shrubs. Well, fuck.

I turned toward the sound as more and more branches cracked and snapped. A young man burst into view, one of the huntsmen, terror etched into his face. Behind him thundered a massive boar, tusks gleaming like blades.

The boy slipped and fell, tumbling down into a ravine. The boar halted short, snorting and pawing the earth.

I shouted to draw its attention. The beast’s head snapped toward me, eyes locking on mine. It charged.

I ran.

I ran with all the strength in my lungs, knowing even as I did that I could not outrun it. There was no time to climb, nowhere to turn. I heard branches shatter closer and closer behind me. I did not dare look back.