Lord of the Hunt

Chapter 16




Taryn had never seen so much activity at Court. The shadow servants flitted instead of drifted. The remains of the flowers that had hung from the vines were cleared away and tidied up so no one need watch the failing of the magic. In their place, decorations were hung, tiny nests of blue. What they had to do with midsummer she had no idea, but that is what everyone was preparing for. That was why the extra trees were being brought in, trees from the mortal world in pots to give the impression of forest inside the castle, or maybe to mask the growing lack of leaves on the castle.

She leaned a little further over the living balustrade to get a better look. The changes were fascinating and yet she still couldn’t see the point to the small white mushrooms being carefully dotted around the base of the pots.

“The change will be more dramatic tonight, in the dark.” Sulia appeared next to her.

“I’m enjoying watching the set up.” She’d also been hoping for a glimpse of Verden. It didn’t feel like a breakup; it just felt like they were being extra careful to not run into each other. “Is it this busy every festival?”

“The festivals are very important. They are how we mark time. People say they are one hundred winter festivals old—or whatever festival they were born closest too.”

“That’s the same as one hundred mortal years.”

Sulia gave her a slow blink that conveyed just how stupid she thought counting in mortal years was. “The festivals are a reminder of our past and our connection to the mortal world. Some fairies only come to Court for the festivals.”

“What about those in the hamlets and farms?”

“They have their own celebrations.”

“But my mother could come back to Court for tonight.”

Sulia gave a little laugh. “Your mother wouldn’t be welcome at Court, but she could join one of the other festivals.” She shook her head. “Your mother made a dangerous mistake; she fell in love and gave it all up. She’ll never get her status back while tied to your father.”

Was that how it would be for Verden and her? A sacrificing of power and status to be together? Would he give that up to be with her across the veil? Or would he expect her to live in Annwyn? Had she done enough to show him how life in the mortal world could be?

Taryn turned away from the decorating of the hall and crossed her arms. “She loves him and he loves her. She wouldn’t give up on him just to come back and spend centuries scratching and scheming her way to the top. Some things are more important than status.”

“You’re afflicted with your mother’s delicate heart. Best you keep it protected here and not tell too many people your ideas about love. Look around you. How many love matches do you see?”

Had she seen any, or were people here only getting together for status? “There is that woman, with the lower-ranked man.”

“That will fail eventually. She will tire of his social climbing. If she loved him, she wouldn’t care about lowering her status.” Sulia gave a dismissive flick of her hand. “Even the King didn’t marry for love; that’s why he has an interest in you. You marry for status and then take lovers. It’s all about business here. If you want love, you don’t find it at Court.”

But she had and now they were desperately trying to keep it secret. Best to shift the conversation from her to Sulia…besides Sulia liked talking about Sulia above all others.

“Is that what you’re looking for across the veil?”

“I don’t want love. I want power. I want Felan.” Sulia clenched her fist, her long white nails glistening.

Taryn felt the frown before she could stop it. “He has to marry a mortal.”

Everyone knew that. The fairy King, or Queen, had to bind a mortal’s soul to Annwyn to balance the magic. Their soul for the safety of every other mortal; in exchange they lost their mortal lifespan. Who would willingly make such a trade? Eyra hadn’t done it for love; she’d done it for power. She looked at Sulia, so pretty and pale, like cotton candy made of poison. When Sulia looked at Felan, she saw a chance to rule by proxy. Or perhaps rule…she was taking human lovers and possibly had royal blood.

Sulia was Felan’s enemy at Court. As soon as she thought it, she knew it to be truth and yet she had no proof, just suspicions.

“You are thinking like a mortal.” Sulia tapped her arm. “I will be his mistress. I will take the place of that blond fairy he is sometimes seen with. A low-level no one. He needs to aim higher.”

Right.

Surely if Felan were going to have a mistress, it would be with someone he loved, not another power-hungry fairy. Now didn’t seem like the best time to mention that, yet she knew she needed to warn Felan about Sulia. The woman was too…Taryn couldn’t put her finger on it.

She was sane, cold, and calculating, but there was a glimmer in her eyes like she wouldn’t let anyone get in her way and those that did would suffer.

“Ah, of course.” Taryn tried for a noncommittal smile.

“Felan requested you come to Court. You must know how his search for a bride goes.” Sulia hooked her arm with Taryn’s so she couldn’t pull away. She didn’t want anything to do with this woman’s scheming, yet it was already too late. It wasn’t friendship Sulia had wanted; she’d needed a spy, someone who Felan had known from the mortal world.

“He has said nothing to me.” That was the truth. Felan played his cards close to his chest and very carefully. He had to with people like Sulia around.

“Then maybe you need to spend some more time with him. Teach him some of your games. You owe me, Taryn.” Sulia’s nails pressed against her skin for a moment too long for it to be accidental.

Of that she was aware. And it was debt that would take far too long to repay. “I’m not sure the King would appreciate that.”

Sulia released her and spun to face her. “You’ll find a way. I need to know who she is and when he plans to bring her to Court.”

Taryn needed to find a way out of Court. But because of the power shift, she had to stay or risk death. Death was looking preferable. Yet even as she thought it, she knew she could never willingly place herself on the wrong side of the veil.

“If I hear anything, you will be the first to know.” So she would make damn sure she didn’t hear anything.

“I will be the only one you tell.” Then she smiled and her mood seemed to lighten instantly. “Come, we must see how the costumes are going. No doubt there will be some final adjustments.”

***

As dusk settled over the castle, Taryn could taste the change in the air. A sharp sense of expectation. Carefully she put lines of pale green just under her eyebrows and on her cheeks like the other women. The costumes were all in dark greens and browns, torn silks, feathers, and wooden beads, as if they had just stepped out of the forest. While some wore silk slippers, most had bare feet.


She dipped her fingers back into the paint and traced along her collarbone; then she put three slashes on each arm. The effect was a little like sexy jungle camouflage—until the lights went out. Then the paint began to glow.

Cheekbones and eyes were emphasized, as were the other lines marked on bodies. There were handprints on bare stomachs and glowing nipples peeking through fabric. Some had gone even further, the costumes quite see-through over the glowing body paint covering them. Oh God. The excitement of getting ready vanished in a flash, and she had the horrible feeling this midsummer party was an excuse for really bad behavior. If people put their keys in a bowl, she was going to hide in her room for the rest of the night.

She shivered and hoped she was getting ahead of herself. This was just a chance to dress up and have some fun. Did they know how to have fun or would they still be scheming and point scoring?

Led by the Queen, who wore a crown of leaves, they walked down the stairs. Taryn glanced at the hall. While she’d watched the decorations being placed in daylight, at night the transformation was total. The mushrooms were glowing as were the blue birds’ nests that had been strung up. The whole chamber was cast in soft light and shadows. A fairy glade ready to be inhabited by wild fae.

In the center of the hall was the King with a headdress of antlers; around him were the other men. Her heart clenched, but among the shadows and glowing body paint she couldn’t see Verden. He’d left Court yesterday; she’d heard that from Rhodia, who seemed to track his every move in and out of Court. But he had to be back for this, otherwise the Queen would be truly pissed. Eyra had been almost pleasant this afternoon. She’d smiled and joked with the other women as they’d gotten ready, accepted the praise for the costumes she’d had made and her brilliance in coming up with such an obscure theme. For the first time since her arrival, the frost had almost left the air.

Her feet touched the grassed floor. If it had looked amazing from above, from below the effect was stunning, like walking into another world. Like slipping back in time and becoming one of the wild fae Verden had talked about—the spriggands, the sylphs, and the dryads. The minstrels had their wooden pipes and delicate harps, but also little drums. The music was different, less constrained.

The King stepped forward and bowed to the Queen. She returned with a curtsy, her dress revealing a whole lot of leg amongst the rough, wide ribbons of silk. Then the King stepped back.

A man with a much smaller set of horns stepped forward to take the Queen’s hand. His chest was bare except for a painted spiral over his heart. His pants ended in rags just below his knees and around each bicep he wore a band of woven leaves and feathers. Verden. She bit her lip to keep the sigh from escaping, but her heart was pounding louder and faster than the drums. He looked so…so wild. A single line of glowing paint traced down his forehead to the end of his nose. Had he seen her?

No. His gaze was firmly on the Queen and no one else. As it should be. As they’d agreed. They weren’t together and couldn’t be until Felan took the throne. Until then, they had to wait. Maybe it wouldn’t last and all they had was sex in random places in the mortal world. Good sex, in amazing places. Her belly tightened as longing slid between her legs and lodged there. There would be no sneaking away tonight.

When the King stepped forward, she walked over and took his hand. Everyone else followed, one couple at a time as determined after the hunt. Small tables had been set up around the edges of the chamber, but the King’s usual table was still there, raised above everyone else so he could watch the goings-on.

“You look very pretty tonight.” The King kissed the back of her hand.

Where once she would have felt revulsion at the unwanted contact, now she sucked it up. She had to. She had to do everything right and pretend that she wasn’t in love with someone else or they were going to sink. Verden was right; they had gotten far too bold and careless far too quickly.

“And you look quite…” He did look good. Everyone did, as if they’d shed some of the weight and responsibility for just one night. “Wild and noble.” The antlers were truly amazing. Most of the men had horns of some kind and it took only a quick glance to realize that status was still denoted.

The King smiled. “Exactly what I was hoping for.”

There was no hint that he was still angry with her for asking him to pardon her father. But she also knew he would not back down; his pride wouldn’t let him. Is that what had happened with Eyra? One fight had turned toxic until neither of them would admit they were wrong and kiss and make up?

Tomorrow the worst would be over. She’d see her father and he’d take the offer. Her parents would be safe and she could start untangling herself from the King’s embrace.

They sat at the table. Tonight it was slightly different; instead of being full of the King’s council, there was Felan and his partner for the dance, Dylis, Eyra and Verden, who were talking about something and ignoring everyone else. Taryn tried to ignore the twisting of her heart. It was an act and nothing more. He loved her, and while she’d blamed the whiskey, she’d seen it in his eyes.

The rest of the table was made up of two of the highest ranking of the Council and their partners, one of which was Sulia, who had made sure she was seated on Felan’s other side. She wasn’t subtle, but then maybe that worked for her. Everyone was watching her actions and not what she was actually doing. If Felan was careful with his plots, Sulia was just as secretive.

Food was served by the shadows and a small tree was placed on each table.

The tree was the dinner. It was all totally edible. The servants had spent a lot of time putting it all together. Around the tree were little mushrooms of soft white cheese. From the tree hung berries; the leaves were candied pieces of apples. What she would have given for a little bacon—or any other meat. While many of the fairies here would be horrified at her eating dead flesh, she wondered how many crossed the veil for the occasional steak.

Like a good fairy she nibbled and drank her wine and laughed when expected. She kept her gaze to the safe end of the table, away from Verden. But he was in her thoughts. She wanted him, wanted to be able to celebrate with him and talk. Once her father was back, she’d get free of the King. Or maybe she wouldn’t have to, as Felan would step up sooner rather than later. Even she was now playing games and keeping her heart’s desires secret.

With a smile on her lips, she sipped her wine and glanced over the goblet at the King. “I look forward to my trip across the veil tomorrow.”

His expression didn’t change. “You seem assured your father will submit to the Court.”

She placed her hand over her heart. “I’m certain of his love for my mother and he wouldn’t wish her dead.”

He nodded, considering her carefully with his frost- tinged eyes. Did he see the winter in his gaze when he looked in the mirror? “A wager then?”

Ah, crap. “I’m not sure I can afford to gamble with you, sire.” Back away slowly and hope he doesn’t follow. She didn’t want to get tricked into debt with the King and be exiled. Is that what had happened to her father?

The King leaned his elbow on the table and looked at her. “You’ve been here long enough to learn the ways of the Court. My bed has been cold too long.”

Taryn forced herself to keep breathing and not freak out. Felan had said his father never did that, that while he favored women publicly, he was always alone privately. But if he was dying, was he hoping for one last fling? Why her?


She closed her eyes for a moment, willing herself not to look at Verden. He didn’t want to know. He just wanted it done so they could be together. She just wanted it done so they could leave this place once Felan was King. How long until that happened? She didn’t want this. She wanted to get free of the King, not fall deeper.

Taryn drew in a slow breath and opened her eyes. The King was watching. Had he seen her internal battle? Was it all a game to him to see what he could win? Of course it was. She was a mouse and he was a cat. He’d let her go when he was ready—unless she found a hole to slip through. That’s all she needed, a chance.

She could do this. She could make the bet and win. She was going to throw up. She swallowed and hoped she hadn’t turned as white as the mushrooms.

“What do you propose?” Her voice sounded totally level, as if she were in control. How fairy was she becoming? No, she didn’t want to be like these people. Yet with every breath she took here, the more like them she became.

“If you succeed in getting your father to take the offer of being a shadow servant, he gets his pardon and you are free to find another lover; if you fail, I get you until the end of my rule.” He leaned closer to her, his breath on her shoulder. “Not long at all really.” Then he leaned back to judge her reaction.

“Will you make him serve the year and a day?”

“No, full pardon, and they may return to Court—although I can’t guarantee status.”

Taryn nodded as if considering. It was too simple a deal. “What is the catch?”

The King gave a low laugh. “You do catch on quick. No mention of the deal we’re making or any part of it to your father.”

Okay. Which meant she couldn’t mention that he would get the pardon, only that he had to take the offer. Would he do that? He’d said he wanted to put things right before she’d left.

“One question. Why me? Of all the women here, why me?” Was it because it would piss the Queen off as had been suggested?

“You want something from me. It is only fair I get something from you. It is the way we work. Who is getting the better side of deal depends on where you sit.” He took another bite of food and looked at her, waiting for her answer.

He was never going to give away his real reasons. Maybe he had none and he was just enjoying what time he had left by screwing with other people’s minds.

She glanced at Felan, who’d brought her to Court, but couldn’t help her. He’d promised no harm would come to her parents, yet she knew he could do nothing to lift the exile.

Her gaze then slid to Verden and the Queen. She didn’t want to betray either of them, for very different reasons.

The King took in her glance. “You worry about the Queen.”

“With good reason.” The last woman to cross the Queen had become a shadow.

“Then I guess the question is how much do you trust your father to do the right thing?” The King wasn’t smiling now, and she realized she’d been cornered in a couple of clever lines.

All words died on her tongue. She’d thought she could come in here and play their games and win; instead she’d been caught. All she could do was hope and pray her father would do what was right this time and take the offer, thus saving her from the King’s attention.

“Of course I trust my father.” She knocked back the rest of the wine, glad that it wasn’t alcoholic but wishing that it was.

“So you accept?”

“I do.” She felt the weight settle around her, closing around her throat and choking her. A shadow refilled her goblet. She raised it in a toast to the King. “To tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” His goblet touched hers. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t as clever as your mother.”

That was supposed to be a compliment, but it didn’t feel like one. Had Arlea once sat here and made promises and deals with the King to get on his council? Had she been more conniving than Sulia? More power hungry than the Queen? Yet she’d given it all up for love.

Taryn had given up love for this. She couldn’t look at Verden in case her eyes revealed what she was feeling. She had to be a fairy capable of making deals that would kill a mortal or she wouldn’t survive.

When the King took her hand and led her to the dance floor, she was numb. If she’d had a soul, it would be dead. As it was, her heart was held together with the finest strands of hope, like cobwebs. She took a breath and straightened her shoulders as the music filled her blood. His hand landed on her hip as he spun her around, his feet easily catching the beat. Everyone was watching as the King started the dance. Everyone was already assuming the worst or the best, depending on who they were, about her place in his favor.

She could do this; the hardest part was done. She’d carved out her heart and made a deal with the King of Annwyn.

Tomorrow she’d be free. Hopefully.