“Did you do a great deal of hunting in Brendrake?” Kit asked, and Landon was glad just to have the opportunity to speak to her without others constantly interrupting, though Cassius was lingering behind them, and Eli was always a few feet away from the princess, looking disinterested but on top of everything, Landon had learned. Even Reeve, who seemed to be having difficulty realizing how important he was to Kit, was nearby.

But for now, Landon had her to himself—more or less. “I did,” he nodded. “Of course, being so close to the sea, we spent much of our time fishing. It’s my parents main source of income. But...