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J ust before midnight, Teryn made his way to the palace garden. The evening’s festivities were still underway, so no one paid him much heed as he slipped through the halls, past the bustling ballroom, and out to the garden courtyard. From there, he began navigating the twists and turns of the walking paths flanked by elegantly manicured shrubs and flower beds. He came to the first statue along the path, but it was a marble likeness of King Verdian, not a busty water nymph. He chose another branching path, discovered a few more statues, but none resembling the description in the letter.

The deeper he went into the garden, the more wary he began to feel over the possible intentions behind this meeting. Nearly every twist and turn brought him stumbling upon lovers stealing covert kisses, couples locked in passionate embraces meant only to be witnessed by shadows. He supposed he shouldn’t have expected less on Beltane.

Teryn reached a portion of the garden boasting impressive water features—ponds and fountains as well as several artistic arrangements utilizing pumps and pulleys that almost seemed like magic. The sculptures here looked far more like water nymphs than the previous ones had. And yet, there wasn’t much to distinguish the characteristics of one statue from another, nor was there any sign of someone waiting for him. Not until he entered a quiet courtyard with an enormous fountain standing at its center. Only now did Teryn understand the emphasis on ample breasts in his letter, for the figure atop the fountain was heavily endowed indeed, plus a rounded swell of belly and curved hips. Even more telling was the hooded figure standing before it, back facing him.

Teryn took a few tentative steps forward, but the figure didn’t seem to notice his approach. He stepped closer again and realized the rush of the fountain was likely drowning out the sound of his steps. With a deep breath, he closed the remaining distance and placed his hand on the figure’s shoulder.

The figure lurched back and whirled around, revealing a man several inches shorter than himself dressed in plain black clothing and a rather conspicuous cloak.

Teryn blinked a few times to ensure he was seeing whom he thought he was. “Prince…Lexington?”

“Seven gods and demons,” the man cursed, clutching his chest. Prince Lexington was one of the three champions Teryn was competing against in the Heart’s Hunt. Which meant he couldn’t have been the one to send him the letter.

Could he?

Lexington let out a low whistle. “You scared me half to death.” His eyes flicked from Teryn’s face to his brocade waistcoat and formal jacket. “You don’t look incognito.”

Wait, did that mean…

Teryn kept his voice neutral as he said, “Your letter didn’t say I should.”

Lexington shrugged, confirming that he, in fact, was the letter’s mysterious sender. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter, so long as I can say what I came here to say.”

Teryn stood tall and crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes with suspicion. If they were to be competitors, he assumed this meeting wasn’t going to be a friendly one. “What exactly did you come here to say, Prince Lexington?”

“First of all,” he said, raising a finger, “call me Lex. I despise the name Lexington. Second of all…” He cast his gaze around the small courtyard and motioned Teryn closer to the fountain. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he continued. “I’ll make this quick. I’m here to offer you an alliance to help you win the Heart’s Hunt.”

Teryn tilted his head back. “Why the hell would you help me? We’re supposed to be adversaries.”

“How can we be adversaries when we both want the same thing?”

Teryn narrowed his eyes again. “Are you telling me you want me to win? Why?”

“Because you’re going to let my kingdom in on your trade agreement with Brushwold.”

“Our trade agreement is exclusive.” He did not add that—before the Bank of Cartha had started sending pirates—it was the only thing keeping his kingdom afloat. Brushwold was a small country but had something no one else had—Aromir goats. The animals produced the most coveted wool, famed for both its warmth and softness. Since Teryn’s kingdom specialized in clothing manufacture, the trade alliance had been a natural one. Anyone on this side of the Balma Sea who wanted Aromir wool had to purchase it from Menah. It had been just enough for Teryn’s kingdom to get by. Until Menah stopped receiving Brushwold’s shipments, that is. And if they started sharing that trade…

Teryn nearly blurted out a no until he considered an alternate perspective.

If Teryn won the Heart’s Hunt and secured his marriage to the Princess of Selay, Menah would have Mareleau’s dowry. His kingdom could finally pay off their debts to the Bank of Cartha and turn their financial situation around.

Teryn brought a hand to his chin, considering the man before him. “Why do you want to help me, Prince Lexington?”

“Lex.”

He rolled his eyes. “Why do you want to help me, Prince Lex ?”

The man gave him a bewildered look as if the answer should be obvious. “Because I’ve no desire to marry that spoiled harpy of a woman.”

Teryn pursed his lips to keep them from quirking into a grin. “If you don’t want to marry her, then why are you here?”

“My father wants me to marry the princess for Selay’s trade with the Southern Islands. However, if I can get us Aromir wool, Father will be satisfied.”

“Why me? Why not offer an alliance to Prince Helios?”

Lex’s lips pulled into a grimace. “Have you met him? He looks like he strangles puppies for fun. And that’s after he’s finished drinking the blood of virgins and kindly grandmothers.”

Again, Teryn had to force himself not to grin. His own impression of the brutish prince hadn’t been much different. He lifted his chin and posed his next question. “How exactly do you propose to help me?”

“By forfeiting to you, obviously.”

Teryn expected more to follow, but only silence stretched on. “Wait…are you saying you have no plans to physically aid me in any way?”

Another perplexed look from Lex. “Of course not. I’ll stay here, you’ll go frolic through the woods in the name of love, and when you return with the princess’ gifts, you’ll brag about what fierce competition I was.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s a solid plan.”

“I don’t see the benefit to me.”

“Less competition,” Lex said with a shrug. “Better odds.”

“I automatically have better odds because you just revealed to me you have no intention of winning.”

“Damn. Fine, I’ll come with you. I’ll help you…kill magical creatures and such.” He said the last part with a flourish of his hand. “Then we’ll return with the gifts, and you’ll spout on and on about my hunting prowess and how you beat me by only the narrowest margin. We’ll dine, we’ll dance, we’ll celebrate your nuptials, and you’ll grant the Kingdom of Tomas access to your trade arrangement with Brushwold.”

“I’ll try to include your kingdom in the agreement,” Teryn amended, “and if I can’t, I’ll arrange a special discount on the purchase of Aromir wool. And that’s only if I win.”

Lex’s mouth fell open. “Only if you win? That’s hardly fair.”

“Take it or leave it.” Teryn honestly wasn’t sure which option he’d prefer. While aid would be welcome, especially since Mareleau’s terms forbade her three champions from hiring help or bringing guards, was Lex going to be that helpful? Helpful enough to put his kingdom’s greatest asset on the line?

If I win , he reminded himself, Menah won’t have to rely so heavily on said asset .

Lex shook his head as if the whole arrangement were a personal affront. “Fine.” With a resigned smile, he extended his hand and took a step toward Teryn?—

And halted as a steel blade blocked his path. The sword was held by Prince Helios.

Lex stumbled back from the sword, its edge glistening beneath the moonlight. Prince Helios didn’t pursue him. Instead, he grunted, “Dead.” He whirled toward Teryn, whose hand was already flying to his hip. It came away empty. Teryn cursed under his breath. Why hadn’t he thought to arm himself before meeting a stranger in a shadowed garden? “Dead,” Helios said again, pointing his blade at Teryn’s heart.

“Very cute,” Lex said in a mocking tone. “We’re all good and dead. Mind telling us what in the name of the seven gods you’re doing here?”

Teryn took a cue from Lex and tried to pretend he wasn’t at all intimidated. He forced himself into a casual posture, eying Helios through slitted lids.

Prince Helios sheathed his sword and stared stone-faced at them. “I’m here to join your alliance,” he said in a gruff voice.

Lex’s face went conspicuously pale. “What alliance?” he uttered too fast.

“The one you invited Prince Teryn to join but not me.”

Lex’s gaze shifted furtively from Teryn to Helios. “I…don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“At eight this evening, you sent a servant with a message for Prince Teryn. At a quarter to midnight, you left your room and entered the garden. At ten until midnight, Prince Teryn entered the garden. And here you are.”

Lex’s eyes bulged. “How do you know all that?”

“The servant you paid a single gold sova to deliver your message only required two sovas to tell me exactly where the message had been sent. The chambermaid who brought your dinner this evening, Lexington, only required five sovas to watch your room for the remainder of the evening. Meanwhile, one of the hall servants watched Prince Teryn’s room for the cost of six.”

Teryn scoffed. “Are we supposed to be impressed?”

“Everyone has a price. Every piece of information can be bought if you know the right currency.”

“Do you like speaking in riddles,” Teryn said, “or is that just an aspect of your glowing personality?”

Helios’ jaw tightened as he slid his gaze to Teryn. “I don’t know why the two of you chose to form an alliance, but your terms have now changed. The three of us will be working together.”

Lex huffed a laugh. “Why would we agree to work with you?”

“I’ve already demonstrated my knack for gathering information,” Helios said. “It just so happens I already know much about the prey we seek.”

“How do you know we don’t too?” Lex said, puffing his chest in a way that was not at all convincing.

“You don’t.”

“How do you know ?—”

“Answer me this,” Helios cut in. “How many hunting parties are currently seeking unicorns?”

Teryn and Lex said nothing.

Helios’ lips curled into a smug grin. “Who are they hired by? Where are the unicorns most commonly spotted? When did the first sighting occur? How thick is their hide? What’s the best weapon to use against them?”

Teryn’s fingers curled at his sides when he really wanted to send a fist to the other man’s face. It took all his restraint to appear unflustered. “What’s the best way to shut you up?”

Helios glared at Teryn. “Have you any clue how to most effectively skin a unicorn?”

“No, because I’m not a complete psychopath,” Teryn said dryly.

He turned to Lex. “How does one dehorn a unicorn?”

“You pay someone to do it,” Lex said with a nod.

Helios shook his head. “The two of you are clueless. You’ll never find the unicorns without my help.”

“If we’re so clueless, why bother making an alliance with us?” Teryn asked.

“Unicorn hunting is not a solo endeavor. Even with three of us, it would be hard.”

“All right,” Teryn said, entertaining his line of reasoning. “What are you proposing then? We team up, help each other seek the prizes? Each champion must find three unicorns. One for its pelt, one for its horn, and one as a pet. That’s a total of—” He was about to say six, since Lex had already forfeited his place as champion…but what if that was a piece of information Helios didn’t have? Even if he’d been spying on them a while, could he have heard their hushed conversation over the rushing fountain?

Teryn watched Helios closely as he continued. “That’s nine unicorns total if we agree to help each other complete the Heart’s Hunt. How do we know you won’t take advantage of our aid to steal the first three unicorns all for yourself and abandon us? And if not, what do we do once we’re done helping each other? Make a mad dash back and see who gets here first?”

Helios showed no sign that he knew Teryn was withholding anything. “We aren’t going to find nine unicorns. We’re going to find two.”

Teryn’s stomach dropped, but he tried not to let his surprise show. It still didn’t mean Helios knew. “Why only two?”

“We’ll take the horn and the pelt from the same unicorn. Mareleau will never know the difference. It’s impossible to tell. We’ll bring back the second unicorn as her pet.”

Teryn waited for him to elaborate but he didn’t. “That’s your plan? We hunt only two unicorns to collect one of every prize…and then what? Are we supposed to duel to the death to see who gets to keep them?”

“We’re all keeping them,” Helios said. “We find the unicorns together. Gather the pelt, horn, and pet together. We bring them back to her together. Her terms stated that he who returns first with what she demands will prove he loves her most and will, in turn, earn her hand in marriage. This way, all of us return as equal victors.”

Teryn frowned. “Then she’ll owe her hand to all three of us.”

Lex raised his palms in a defensive gesture. “No, thank you. I’m not sharing a bride with the two of you.”

“No, you fool,” Helios growled, “she’ll be forced to choose one of us.”

“And if she refuses?” Teryn asked.

Helios let out a dark chuckle. “What, afraid your fiancée won’t choose you once her hand is forced? I’d be scared too. Rumor has it she’s already courted half the continent since your so-called engagement began.”

He bristled at that but kept his voice calm. “I’m serious.”

“If she refuses to choose, that’s when we’ll duel to the death.”

Teryn waited a beat, expecting his words to have been in jest, but Helios made no attempt to take them back. “This plan is madness.”

“Everything about this situation is madness,” Helios said. “I don’t know about you, but I have neither time nor patience to play the princess’ game. I say we beat her at it. Use her own terms against her. Force her to simply choose a husband like a sane person. My kingdom wants the marriage alliance, but not at the cost of me doing the impossible alone. With the three of us working together, we’ll be finished in two weeks tops. If the two of you try and attempt this without me, I’ll be walking down the aisle before you so much as catch a whiff of a unicorn.”

Teryn narrowed his eyes. “Is that a threat?”

“A fact. The things I know…” His smirk widened. “I’m honestly embarrassed just thinking about you attempting the hunt without me.”

Lex crossed his arms and squinted at Helios. “Prove it. Give us one reason to believe you know anything about what we’re up against.”

Helios reached for his belt. Teryn stiffened as he unsheathed a dagger. Lex launched a step back, almost tripping as his calves collided with the lower ledge of the fountain. Helios chuckled at Lex’s reaction and aimed the dagger at Teryn.

It took Teryn a moment to realize he was handing it to him hilt first.

He assessed Helios’ arrogant expression before taking the weapon from him. As soon as his eyes landed on the blade, his breath caught. It was pale white, its tip sharply pointed, its edges curved in a sharpened spiral. He angled it, studying the strange knife beneath the moonlight. It was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. The blade seemed denser than bone, lighter than steel. He met Helios’ eyes. “Is this…”

“Unicorn horn,” Helios said, taking the blade from Teryn. He sheathed it, not even bothering to offer it to Lex. “Taken from a unicorn by my own hand.”

While there was every chance the prince was lying—the blade could have been a fake, or Helios could have purchased it—Teryn couldn’t help but feel a spark of awe.

“What do you say?” Helios asked, his face brimming with confidence. “Do you agree to this alliance, or do we part ways tonight knowing you will fail without me?”

Teryn’s blood boiled at the indignity of the situation. He hated to admit Helios could be right. Teryn knew plenty about hunting but nothing about unicorns. He could fell an enraged boar and take down the largest stag in the woods, but what if there was something to what Helios had hinted at—that unicorn hunting had its own nuances Teryn wasn’t aware of?

Lex edged closer to Teryn and whispered, “This is probably a good time to inform you that I know nothing about unicorns. Or killing. Or hunting. Or…forests.”

Teryn suppressed a groan. If he had any chance at securing his engagement to Mareleau, he had to put his trust in Prince Helios. At least there was one thing Helios didn’t know—Lex had already forfeited to Teryn. That had to count for something, right? If he could find a way to use Lex’s support to gain the upper hand…he just might be able to win this.

“Fine,” Teryn said. “But first?—”

“See you in a week then,” Helios said, not waiting for Teryn to finish before he turned on his heel and stalked out of the courtyard.

“A week,” Teryn called to his back. “Don’t we need a plan?”

“I have a plan,” Helios said over his shoulder. Then he was gone.

Lex stared straight ahead, eyes unfocused. He blew out a heavy sigh, making his ruddy cheeks puff out. “I’m going to regret every word I’ve said today.” With that, he too walked away.

Teryn was left alone by the fountain, wondering if pirates, financial ruin, and an unfulfilled engagement contract were about to be the least of his worries.