Valerian leaned back against his throne, eyes narrowing at his son. "You claim you know how to undo the lady's curse?"
Vaelric met his father's gaze, his small shoulders squaring as though he bore the weight of a crown. "Yes, Father," he said quietly, yet with a calm certainty that made the air stir. "I do."
Valerian rose from his seat, his tone cautious. "And how do you intend to do that?"
"The hunt," Vaelric answered simply.
"The hunt?" Valerian's brows furrowed. "You can't mean that hunt...The Hunt of Realms... the Cael'haran. It only takes place once every …"
His voice trailed off as realization struck, his eyes widening slightly. "Every ten years."
He turned toward the tall window, the wind brushing his cloak aside. "And the next hunt is less than a year away." He looked back at his son, a shadow of unease in his storm-gray eyes. "That can't be a coincidence."
Vaelric shook his head. "It isn't, Father."
