Page 90 of The Hunted

“Rarely.”

“So, the waistcoat was appropriate.”

“It is always appropriate, Corval.”

“Ships would beg to differ.”

Eryx gave him a look. “Ships can’t talk.”

“But the seas can,” the man replied just as fast.

Well …

He wasn’t about to argue with that. The sea certainly seemed to speak to him.

Eryx took the chair on the other side of the window and reached for the glass filled with ale that was already waiting for him. Watching the dark clouds streak through the sky, he already knew another storm would soon be on the way. They would progressively last longer and longer, until it felt like for weeks at a time all it did was rain and blow with winds strong enough to rip the trees right from their roots.

“Did you find out anything I wanted to know?” he asked the hunter.

Corval cleared his throat, but Eryx kept his attention on the sky. It was easier to hide his intentions when he didn’t need to look someone in the eye. Not that they needed to know that. “If you’re asking if I have confirmed that the mermaid is a Blu Sea royal, then yes, I have. The heir, actually, seeing as how she would have replaced her sister’s place in line to the throne after her capture.”

“So, the other one that was caught … she is her sister.”

“Quite vocal, that one, from all accounts. Beautiful, certainly, which was why she was picked by the king amongst the rest of the catches this year. She was added to your father’s collection, but you know how he feels about the noisy ones. We’ll see if she lasts.”

“Was she how you learned—”

“Partially. I have other ways, also.”

Eryx arched a brow, turning to face the man entirely. “Don’t interrupt. It’s rude.”

Even if Eryx did it to others constantly. He could afford to.

“My apologies, but yes, it’s confirmed.”

“Hmm.”

“We assume the people of the sea believe the sister to be dead, given how long it’s been since her catch, and they’ve not attempted to force her return.”

“And her?” he asked.

“Whether or not they know she’s been caught as well is all up in the air. It’s not like they send a messenger to speak with us. Our relationship is … tenuous, at best.”

“That does happen when you hunt them.”

“We need them, Eryx. They keep Atlas rich. The export of their blood is what protects this kingdom.”

“Other realms don’t use them the same.”

Corval sighed. “No, they don’t, but other realms have also fought wars that lasted for the entire lives of men to have the standing they do. And even today, in Hades, two kings still spend their days attempting to burn each other to the ground. One from the land, and another from the sea.”

“There are nine realms. That is just a portion. The same as us.”

“You’re not wrong,” the man replied, “and that’s also why the Emerald Lands have never joined in the discussion of exports with us. Merpeople who rule the land and the sea … well, they have an army more than large enough to keep their realm well protected from anyone who doesn’t appreciate the way they live.”

“Fascinating, really.”

Corval chuckled. “Then why do you sound bored?”