Free The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins Page B

browsed the selection of fresh, dried, and powdered herbs, someone sidled close to her side. Much closer than usual. Mrs. Rathbrook caught a flash of orange fabric from the corner of her eye.
    “Good day, royal Lashed One.” The smooth, husky female voice was not Lochlan.
    Mrs. Rathbrook turned her head up to the stranger, and sucked in a breath at the sight of her. Shining black hair against light brown skin. Eyes of crystal blue. A brown cloak over a silken, orange dress. The woman gave her a smile, but something about it felt . . . off. Disingenuous.
    “Hello,” Mrs. Rathbrook said.
    The woman glanced down at Mrs. Rathbrook’s hands, which held a satchel of coins.
    “Your hands are very beautiful.”
    Mrs. Rathbrook’s heart sped up. Nobody spoke openly of her lashes or her ability, in general. She withdrew her hands, hiding them within her pockets. The woman gave her that ominous smile again.
    Officer Vest stepped closer, but the woman ignored him. She only had eyes for the royal Lashed One, and she obviously had something to say. Mrs. Rathbrook could not help her curiosity.
    She kept her eyes on the woman as she gave a nod and said, “It’s all right, Officer Vest.”
    He stepped back, giving them space.
    “Your own guard,” the woman drawled. “How charming.”
    Mrs. Rathbrook narrowed her eyes. “Who are you?”
    “My name is Rozaria. I hail from the hotlands of Kalor.”
    The name meant nothing to Mrs. Rathbrook. This woman must have accompanied the Kalorian hunters. The pleasant look never left the woman’s face, even as she spoke abrasive words.
    “How does it feel to be a slave to the Lochsons?”
    Mrs. Rathbrook went still. She’d never been to Kalor. Perhaps open rudeness was acceptable there, but she did not appreciate it. She lowered her voice and responded curtly.
    “King Charles and his family treat me very well, thank you.” She turned back to the herbs, hoping the woman would take the hint and leave her be. No such luck.
    “A comfortable room in a lavish castle, while others of your kind suffer throughout the land.”
    Mrs. Rathbrook stood tall and faced the woman again. Her words had cut deep. She often thought about her own comfort compared to the despair of other Lashed, but she felt powerless to do anything about it.
    “What would you have me do, Miss?” Then she remembered that Rocato, the root of prejudice against Lashed, hadbeen from Kalor. “Perhaps if the Lashed in your land had not pursued their greed and hatred, these issues would not be upon us.”
    The woman’s eyes hardened with anger.
    Officer Vest stepped forward. “I’m going to have to ask you to move along, Miss.”
    The woman, Rozaria, ignored him. “You know nothing,” she hissed at Mrs. Rathbrook. “But you will soon learn.”
    “And just what is that supposed to mean?”
    The woman’s sneer transformed her beautiful face into something frightening. Then she briskly turned and walked from the stand, keeping her hands deep in her cloak pockets, disappearing into the multitude of bodies. Mrs. Rathbrook noticed people quickly turning their heads away when they saw her looking.
    “Are you all right, Mrs. Rathbrook?” Officer Vest asked. The crinkles around his eyes were further deepened with worry. “Did she threaten you?”
    Mrs. Rathbrook shook her head. She wasn’t quite sure what had just happened, but it had left her weary. “I think I’ve got all I need for now.” She kept her head down as Officer Vest walked her back to the castle, her heart burdened with the woman’s words.

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    Chapter
10
    Paxton could immediately tell the true hunters from the ones motivated only by the king’s promised reward. He couldn’t help glaring at the gentlemen with their pretty bows and pristine arrows as they took their time aiming at the wooden targets. No doubt they’d never had to