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P rince Teryn Alante had witnessed his share of preposterous things in his life. His father’s attempt to replace the queen with his mistress topped the list, as did the time Teryn and Larylis snuck out to Dermaine City dressed as palace guards to watch the traveling mummer’s troupe. Only to realize he and his kingdom were the subject of their play. It hadn’t been flattering. But nothing—absolutely nothing —compared to being sent by his fiancée to hunt down mythological faerytale creatures in exchange for her hand.

Even now, hours later as he stood on the balcony outside his guest bedroom at Verlot Palace, he still harbored the hope that it had all been said in jest. This was the Heart’s Hunt, after all. The tradition was meant to be symbolic and the quest itself was supposed to be relatively simple. A scavenger hunt that could be solved in a single evening. Of course, Teryn knew nothing about this particular Heart’s Hunt was symbolic.

“Where the bloody hell am I going to find a unicorn?” Teryn asked for probably the hundredth time that evening. “And not just a single unicorn, mind you. Three . Do you think it was a riddle?”

Two round black eyes stared back at him, but he received no answer. Not that he expected one.

“You don’t think so?” Teryn said to his peregrine falcon perched on the balustrade next to him. He slipped her a strip of raw duck he’d had brought up from the palace’s kitchens. His hosts hadn’t been thrilled that Teryn would be bringing the falcon, but where Teryn went Berol went too. The falcon had bonded to Teryn as a hatchling, injured and nursed back to health by the prince’s own hand. Berol obeyed Teryn as much as a bird of prey could. So, to appease his hosts, Teryn promised to keep her from hunting on palace grounds during his stay and would hand-feed her instead. He could tell the bird was a little restless, but at least they’d be heading home by tomorrow. “You’re right, Berol. This is absolutely hopeless. Ridiculous. Insane.”

“Your choice of words suggests you must be talking about Princess Mareleau again.” Teryn glanced over his shoulder and found his half brother standing in the doorway to the balcony. Larylis leaned against the doorframe with a smirk.

“Right you are,” Teryn said.

Their father came up just behind Larylis and stormed onto the balcony. “I’ve talked to Verdian,” King Arlous said. His tone alone was evidence enough that he didn’t bear good news. Hands on his hips, Arlous shook his head with exasperation. “He suggests his daughter’s request is sound.”

Larylis frowned and pushed off from the doorframe. “Seriously? Everyone saw his face during Mareleau’s speech. He was furious.”

Teryn nodded and gave Berol another strip of duck. His brother was right. Anyone with eyes could have seen that King Verdian had been taken by just as much surprise as everyone else when his daughter brought up unicorns. Not to mention the way he stormed after Mareleau when she left the balcony. Or the muffled shouts that slipped beyond the closed glass doors not long after that.

King Arlous ran a hand through his dark hair. “If King Verdian revokes his support of the Heart’s Hunt, he’ll be admitting he has no control over his daughter.”

Larylis threw his hands in the air. “So he’s going to let her send our crown prince, Mareleau’s legitimate fiancé, on an insane quest. Did he make any apologies? Bring up their marriage contract even once?”

“You know he doesn’t have to apologize,” the king said through his teeth, cheeks flushing either with rage or shame. “He knows we don’t have the funds to fight him. And he knows that we know exactly where we stand in his eyes. We’re lucky the marriage contract hasn’t been torn up entirely. If it weren’t for our exclusive trade agreement with Brushwold, it probably would be.”

Lucky . Teryn internally scoffed. He had several choice words to explain his pairing with Mareleau and lucky certainly wasn’t one of them. Still, he knew what his father was getting at. He turned to fully face the king and his brother, propping his back against the rail as he slouched into it. “I have to go through with this farce.”

King Arlous nodded. “There’s a chance Prince Helios and Prince Lexington will back out. Either way, I’ll send informants to gather intel on whether there’s any truth to this unicorn nonsense.”

Teryn opened his mouth to ask if they could afford informants but stopped himself. While he knew information didn’t come cheap, he also knew his father couldn’t be persuaded against a course of action when he had his mind to it. Hence his kingdom’s current financial state. So instead, he gave a reluctant nod.

“Arlous, my love, there you are.” The king’s mistress stepped onto the balcony. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. You promised we’d attend the Beltane feast tonight.”

The king’s expression softened although his posture remained tense. He met his lover with a soft kiss to her forehead. “Apologies, Annabel. We were just discussing…important matters.”

Her face brightened. “You mean about the Heart’s Hunt?” She faced Teryn with a simpering smile. “Unicorns! Aren’t you just…so excited?”

Teryn wanted to roll his eyes but he forced himself to mutter a curt, “Thrilled.”

As much as Teryn resented Annabel Seralla for nearly usurping his mother, he knew the blame didn’t lie entirely with her. His father was the one who’d risked the stability of his kingdom in the name of love…and failed. Lady Annabel had been the king’s mistress since before Teryn was born. He’d been raised alongside his half brother, fully aware that their mothers were two different women. They shared the same father but not his surname. It took him nearly thirteen years of life to understand the taboo undercurrents of his familial ties. That was when things got complicated. When his parents’ fights grew louder, more frequent. When his mother demanded Teryn’s brother—a boy who’d become his best friend—be sent away to be raised out of her sight. For three years, Larylis lived as a ward to Lord Ulrich until, without explanation, Ulrich suddenly sent him back home to Dermaine Palace. Teryn’s mother was furious at his return and demanded he be sent away again. What followed was the scandal that nearly bankrupted the Kingdom of Menah.

Lady Annabel turned back to King Arlous. With a pout on her lips, she straightened his lace neckcloth. “Can we go to dinner now? You know Verlot’s feasts are far better than ours.”

Teryn’s father smiled down at his mistress. “Of course, darling.” Then, turning back to Teryn, he added, “We will make this work, Teryn, I promise you. If there’s a way for you to win the Heart’s Hunt, I’ll find it.”

Teryn tried to give his father what he hoped was a confident smile, but he’d learned years ago not to put much weight in his father’s promises. Not that his father didn’t try. He did. He was steadfast and tenacious when it came to those he loved. Often, though, love wasn’t enough.

No, if Teryn wanted to see this ridiculous Hunt through, he’d have to do it himself. The question was how. He was a skilled hunter, so that wouldn’t be an issue. He’d gone on royal hunts since he was old enough to walk. He’d felled his first beast at age ten. It was the same year he not only developed a keen love for the spear—his weapon of choice—but found Berol. Ever since, he’d spent his summers honing his craft, learning to hunt larger and rarer beasts. But never a legendary beast. This wasn’t the age of unicorns and dragons. This was the age of reason. Something Princess Mareleau clearly lacked.

Annabel gave Larylis a casual wave as her only acknowledgment of her son before the couple left the balcony. That wasn’t unusual behavior for Annabel. She’d borne two more children after Larylis—both boys—and had sent them away to boarding school as early as she could. Teryn could surmise it was to keep them out from under the queen’s ire, but he’d always thought Annabel seemed far more interested in being a lover than a mother.

Teryn fed Berol the rest of the duck and stroked a finger over the top of her head.

Larylis came up beside him. “I don’t know how you pet that thing without fearing loss of a finger.”

“Fear is for the weak,” Teryn said in jest. “Besides, you’ve petted her plenty of times before.”

“Yes, with a healthy dose of fear.” Larylis reached out to lightly scritch the back of the falcon’s neck. Berol extended her wings and ruffled her feathers, making him jump back. Then, stuffing his hands in his pockets, he leaned against the balustrade. “So…how are you really feeling about all of this?”

Teryn ponded his answer. In truth, he was frustrated. Irritated. Absolutely perplexed. And yet he was resigned to do what needed to be done. His kingdom was running out of time to repay their debt to Cartha. If they waited much longer, the bank would escalate their efforts from sending pirates to hiring mercenaries. The latter wouldn’t simply raid their trade ships. They’d collect Menah’s debt in lives.

The most reasonable solution was to wed Mareleau. Her dowry would be enough to settle their debt with the bank. If his engagement with the princess fell through, well, they’d be left with very few options. Sure, another marriage alliance could be made, but what were the chances another kingdom would be willing to risk allying with them? He knew it could take years to draw up an agreeable contract.

The Kingdom of Menah didn’t have years. Not where the Bank of Cartha was concerned.

With his brother’s question still hanging unanswered between them, Teryn planted a crooked grin over his lips. “You want to know how I’m really feeling? I feel like today has been the most humiliating spectacle since we visited that mummer’s troupe. Remember that? They had us played by literal dogs while Father’s impersonator went about humping a woman dressed as a sow.”

“I’m serious,” Larylis said, although he couldn’t hide his laugh. “Hunting fae creatures, competing against two other princes for a woman’s hand that you’ve already been promised…it’s a lot to do for someone you don’t love.”

There was trepidation in his tone, which brought Teryn’s attention to his brother’s face. That same pained look he’d noticed earlier had returned. “Are you truly concerned about me doing too much for a woman I don’t love? Or for her because I don’t love her?”

Larylis stiffened.

“Wait.” Teryn took a step closer to his brother, startling Berol, who sidled down the balustrade. “Do you…have feelings for her?”

“Of course not,” Larylis rushed to say, pushing off from the rail to straighten. Despite his words, there was a sudden flush in his cheeks. “I don’t?—”

“You knew her. Back when you were a ward to Lord Ulrich. Did the two of you?—”

“No, Teryn, it isn’t what you think.” He shifted from foot to foot, then slouched to the side. “Oh, all right. We kissed.”

Teryn’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “You kissed ? Are you telling me I’m engaged to someone you’ve kissed? And that you’ve never found it pertinent to mention until now?”

“It was three years ago. I was sixteen. It meant nothing.” His voice dipped with a note of regret, one that wasn’t lost on Teryn.

“Larylis, if you have feelings for her?—”

“I don’t.” This time his tone was firm. Certain. “You know I dislike her.”

“Yes, well, I hadn’t known you disliked her after having had your tongue in her mouth.” Teryn’s last word quavered with a chuckle. That was when he realized something. He wasn’t mad at his brother. Disturbed, perhaps. A little indignant that Larylis hadn’t trusted Teryn enough to tell him the truth until now. But Teryn was neither angry nor jealous.

Which probably wasn’t a good thing. Not where his future romantic prospects were concerned. However, Teryn had always known he wouldn’t marry for love. Unlike his father, he was determined to do what was right for his kingdom. He’d stay true to his word. His duty.

Unless…

“Promise me you don’t have even the slightest feelings for Princess Mareleau. Or…if you do, just…just be honest.” Teryn held his breath as Larylis stood frozen, shoulders tense. He didn’t know what kind of answer he expected, or what he’d do if Larylis did in fact harbor a secret affection for his fiancée. Part of him wanted to hear his brother proclaim a deep love for the woman, to beg him not to marry her. Teryn knew Larylis couldn’t wed Mareleau, though. She was a princess and Larylis was illegitimate. Even so, it would be the one thing that could set Teryn free, the one thing that would fix his heart firmly against the unwanted match for good.

And, as a result, would send their kingdom into further peril than it was already in.

Finally, Larylis’ posture relaxed. “I have a lot of feelings about Princess Mareleau, and I guarantee none of them are good.” He punched Teryn lightly on the chest. “I feel bad for you. That’s all.”

Teryn wasn’t sure if he believed his brother, but the sense of calm settling in his gut reminded him that any other answer would have brought nothing but turmoil. “I feel bad for me too,” he said with a smirk. “She must be a terrible kisser.”

Larylis threw his head back with laughter, shattering every last remnant of tension between them. For a moment, Teryn felt like they were boys again, enjoying each other’s company without a care in the world. Without knowing the weight of a kingdom would one day fall upon Teryn’s shoulders. And that Larylis wouldn’t be allowed to share the burden with him.

Once they sobered from their mirth, Larylis took his leave, insisting he wanted to visit Verlot’s library before they headed home in the morning. That sounded like his brother, all right. Larylis had never met a library he didn’t like.

No sooner than Larylis left did a knock sound at Teryn’s door. With a frown, he opened it, finding a palace servant on the other side. The man handed Teryn a small envelope. It bore no emblem, just an unmarked wax seal. “Your Highness,” the servant said with a curt bow.

Teryn dismissed him and brought the mysterious envelope inside his room and out onto the balcony. Berol immediately tried to take the envelope from him.

“No, this one isn’t for you,” Teryn said, pulling it out of her reach. While Berol wasn’t a messenger bird, Teryn had trained her to carry letters on occasion. Mostly to his mother or back home to his father while visiting his mother’s palace.

Teryn opened the letter and removed its contents—a single sheet of paper with only four sentences scrawled across it. None of them bore the name of the sender.

Meet me in the garden at midnight. Water nymph statue. The busty one with the ample breasts. It will be worth your while.

Teryn read it five times over, then flipped it back to front. Who the hell had sent such a strange missive? And what could they possibly want?

It will be worth your while.

Teryn realized the letter could have been sent by an emboldened chambermaid hoping to get Teryn alone on Beltane. It was almost tempting enough to excite him. He’d entertained numerous liaisons of a similar nature in the past. That is, until he started to feel too much like his father. Breaking hearts. Spending time with women he knew he could never wed. Should he seek pleasure now, he had to do it with predetermined detachment. Not on a whim with someone who very well might expect to become his mistress. Besides, if he were to enjoy a meaningless tryst, it wouldn’t be in the home of his betrothed. Still…

He read the letter once more, snorting a laugh over the ample breasts line. If the letter wasn’t sent in the name of seduction, he hadn’t a clue to its purpose.

What he did know was—come midnight—he’d be damned if he didn’t find out.