Lord of the Hunt

Chapter 7




Tonight was a test. Everyone at the King’s table knew it and so did she. The first time she’d been new and the King had been curious because he’d known her mother well. Tonight was about her. Was she interesting enough to keep around?

She’d slid a deck of human cards into her dress and made sure they were secure and hidden. Dressed in yellow, she looked far more confident than she felt, which was exactly as it should be. As the shadow served the food, she suppressed the urge to stare into the featureless face to try and see if she could find the person inside and ignored the nauseating roll of her stomach at the thought of becoming one of those…not creatures, not people anymore, just blank, silent shadows.

One wrong move and that’s where she’d end up. She smiled a little too brightly and laughed at the joke. The Queen was almost being civil and everyone was on edge. When her gaze slid over Verden, even his careful mask seemed to have slipped. She could see the steel in his eyes instead of the illusion of nothing. Today he looked more dangerous; the razor edge had been sharpened. She flicked a glance at Felan. Him too.

Interesting or worrying? How deep in the game was she? Did it matter when she couldn’t fold her cards and bow out? Her parents’ lives were in the pot and she had to win it.

The King raised his hand; a shadow brought out cards.

Taryn reached into her dress and pulled out her pack. That got some attention. She grinned. “How about a new game?”


That killed all the conversation at the table. Then it spread as everyone in the hall realized something was going on.

The King looked at the pack in her hand. “What are these?”

“It’s a deck of mortal cards—four suits, two jokers, ace through to King, and no majors.”

The King’s eyes narrowed. “A new game, with new cards?”

Did he think she was up to something? Well she was, but given his suspicion, she wasn’t going to suggest gambling for her parents’ freedom tonight. No, this was an old King used to people sucking up and trying to extract favors. She had to do better. She had to give him something so he wanted to give her anything she asked. Still a game, but a much more subtle one. She was so proud of herself for thinking she had half a plan.

She drew the cards out and shuffled. As she did, she carefully eyed every member of the table. “I need a volunteer to learn first, to show everyone how it’s done. Then up to seven people can play.”

Neither the King nor the Queen would volunteer. They wouldn’t risk being made a fool of. Her gaze settled on Felan. “Prince?”

Felan considered her for a moment and she thought he was going to accept. “I wish to watch and learn. Hunter, are you game?”

That was when she realized the true extent of his role. Every job that the royal family wanted to avoid, every hard choice, was his. And any blame that needed shifting would be his as well if push came to shove. Did he realize he was being f*cked over, or was he enjoying it?

Verden’s lips turned up on one side in a predatory smile. “I’m always game.” The gleam in his eye wasn’t pretend.

“Very well.” She made sure she sounded as though she didn’t care who she played against, but her heart was hammering hard on her ribs. She spread the cards carefully on the table so they could be viewed.

While the expressions didn’t change, everyone leaned a little closer. Conversation had returned to the hall, but people kept glancing over, curious about what she was doing.

“Across the veil, these are the cards that people use to gamble with.” She plucked one of the jokers out. “We won’t need both the wild cards tonight.”

“We already have one at the table.” The Queen gave a little laugh.

Taryn gave her a smile. Be nice to the Queen or she will make life hell…literally, since she was married to the King of Death.

“Poker. It’s a simple game. You make the best hand you can and bet on it, hoping your opponent hasn’t got one better.”

“Like Omission.” Verden met her gaze.

“No. It’s about the cards in your hand, not the ones you don’t have. Plus, you can’t force your opponent to pick up extra cards.”

That caused a ripple.

She explained the rules as best she could, and Verden manned up and agreed to play her. No stakes. Again that caused a few murmurs. A game with no stakes?

“If anyone else would like to try the new game and set stakes, please take my seat.” Verden went to stand.

“No. A new game deserves time to be learned.” The King gave his permission for her to deal and begin.

The people on her side looked at her cards the same way those on Verden’s side were looking at his. No one mentioned card names, but there was a fair amount of pointing and nodding going on. “If we were betting, now would be the time.”

Verden nodded, his gaze flicking between her and the cards.

She placed two cards down. A jack and an ace that were of no use to her, as they were the wrong suit.

“But—”

Taryn placed her finger on her lips. Verden threw out three cards. She dealt replacements. “A last chance for bets…or for folding…or bluffing.” She gave him a smile and lowered her lashes.

“You could be pretending to have a winning hand when you hold nothing.”

She nodded. “How confident are you in your cards?”

“So you could be lying?”

“Pretending. Isn’t that always the case? One must work out what is truth and what is lie?” He’d told her that.

The King nodded, as if warming to the game. “Verden, do you hold the winning hand?”

Verden looked at his cards again, then at her. His eyes burned with an intensity that would have brought a mortal to her knees in a quivering mess. But she was fairy. He couldn’t enchant her or glamour her into revealing the truth with just a glance. No, but she could affect him. She held his gaze and ran her tongue over her lip slowly and his gaze dropped for just a moment.

“I fold.” He placed his cards facedown.

Taryn placed hers down. “I win by default.”

“If we’d gambled, I would have lost.” Verden gave a shake of his head, as if the idea of losing was beneath him.

She reached over and turned over his cards. “You would have lost even if you hadn’t folded.”

“Part chance, part skill, part ruse.” The King nodded. “I like it.” He beckoned over a shadow. “Fetch some coins. I want to see the flow of money.”

Taryn swallowed and Verden drew in a breath. They were the entertainment. Not quite what she’d had planned, but the King was funding the game, so neither of them could refuse. On the other hand, she had an excuse for paying close attention to Verden—in case he started bluffing.

It didn’t take long for the rest of the table to join in, and since the King had put up the coins, the only thing they were actually risking was loss of face. No one wanted to look stupid, but they picked up the game fast and were well practiced in deception. Despite the dangers, she began to enjoy herself. Most importantly, she was learning more about the people who held the power simply by how they played.

Taryn glanced at Verden. When was he planning on taking her across the veil again? Tonight? He was so hard to read when he was here. And yet, when he lifted his gaze and looked at her, there was something more there than when he studied his other opponents.

Patience.

She’d never been patient, but then neither were humans. Their lives went by so fast compared to fairies, who lived for centuries or longer. She glanced at the King. He smiled at her with more warmth than she was comfortable with. This time there was no mistaking his interest.

Verden’s question rung in her ears. How far are you willing to go, Taryn?

It was still one question she couldn’t answer. Or one she didn’t want to answer. She liked to think she’d do anything so her parents could live…but in Annwyn, anything was rather broad and all encompassing. And the man she wanted wasn’t the King. She knew why Verden was so keen to only see her in the mortal world.

“I’m done for the night.” She pushed her small pile of wooden coins toward the King.

“Keep them. A token of my gratitude for the new game.” His hand lingered on hers.

She was sure she could feel Verden bristle, but she didn’t dare look at him. She smiled at the King as if delighted and his gaze warmed for a moment. Could she really do this?

There was no other choice but to accept the coins. She inclined her head and knew she’d bought her place at the table for a few more nights, but she was going to have to do something soon.

***

Felan crossed the veil back to Annwyn. Repairing all the tears and trying to stop the bleeding of death into the mortal world was becoming more and more time-consuming, and he had other things he needed to be doing—like working out who was plotting against him. He hoped it wouldn’t come to battle, but since his mother had her hand in it, bloodshed was inevitable.


He walked past a group of women playing Boule, something fairies had taken into the mortal world. Card games, however, had been a human invention that fairies had perfected. Sulia and her constant group of four followers, plus Taryn. He stopped, turned, and strolled back. The women glanced up and smiled. Sulia’s was more personal than the others.

She was forever hopeful that he’d invite her back to his chamber. Annwyn would freeze over before that happened.

“May I interrupt your game for a moment?”

“Would you care to join us?” Sulia raised one eyebrow.

Taryn was making sure to be seen in all the right places. It was like looking at Arlea and watching her craft the subtlest of plans for his father.

“I just want to walk with Taryn for a moment. I will return her.”

Sulia’s face hardened for a moment. “I would be happy to walk with you if it is company you seek.” Her smile was back.

He needed to make it clear that he wasn’t favoring Taryn by requesting her presence. “Not pleasure I’m afraid, but business. Taryn.” He beckoned her forward and started walking, not waiting for her to join him.

Taryn caught up. While she was doing a much better job of masking what she was thinking, he could see the worry in her eyes. “What have I done?”

“You tell me. Where did you get the cards?” His voice was carefully level, and he hoped he’d get the truth from her and not a delicate lie. She was here on his command and out of respect for her father. He didn’t want to be sending her away. He couldn’t afford to send her away. He needed her…if he could trust her.

“A friend acquired them for me.” She met his gaze without blinking.

Which friend? But that wasn’t his business. At least she hadn’t left Annwyn. “I know what you are trying to do.” It was what he hoped she’d do, but it wasn’t enough.

“Do you?”

Felan smiled. Taryn acted more human than she realized. He liked that she wasn’t afraid to talk to him and that she wasn’t trying to sleep with him to raise her status. Maybe she could help him further.

“Your games are attractive enough, but it won’t last for long. If you don’t ask for something small soon, his suspicions will be raised. So do you have a favor you could ask? Something almost worth nothing?”

She frowned for a moment. “Maybe. Why are you helping?”

He didn’t break stride but he paused before answering. He wasn’t used to sharing his reasons with anyone, but then again, few asked. “I don’t want Chalmer to die, but not even I can ask for his return.” Taryn could, and he needed her to succeed.

“Are my parents okay?”

“They are fine. I told them you have been well received. Your mother was pleased.”

“You forbade me from leaving Court, but I could ask to see my grandmother.” She watched him, waiting for a reaction, but he ignored the jab. She couldn’t be at Court one day and gone the next if she was to get her father’s pardon. Keeping her here was in everyone’s best interest—including Taryn’s.

He gave a small nod in the direction of the other women. “You play with dangerous friends.”

“Oh, I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them, but enemies close and all that.”

“Indeed. You are doing well.”

“I just want the damn pardon.”

“If it were easy, I would have done it already.” He had tried a couple of years ago and his request had been denied. Taryn was his last hope of getting Chalmer pardoned. “You will have to deal for your father’s life.”

“I know, but I’m not sure I like the price.” Her fingers crushed the delicate fabric of her dress as she made a fist. Worry pinched her features.

It took a moment for him to realize what she was so worried about. He laughed, then lowered his voice. “You don’t know my father. He hasn’t taken a mistress, ever.”

“But…”

“It’s a show. Everyone thinks he does, even the Queen. But he gets more enjoyment from watching her squirm than he would from a lover—then, of course, he’d have to keep two women happy. No. Being King is enough work without making it harder.” He touched her arm. “Keep the secret alive.” He began leading her back to the game. “We can help each other, Taryn. I will watch out for you, if you watch out for me.” He let the sentence hang. It was several paces before she spoke.

“Spy.”

He stopped walking. “Yes.” That was exactly what he wanted. She was in the one place he couldn’t go.

She shrugged, and her gaze drifted from his to the other women who were pretending to play while trying to watch what was going on. “You think they are up to something.”

“Everyone is always up to something.” He knew that the threat was in the Queen’s camp. He needed someone he could trust and who was trusted—or at least untainted by previous alliances. Taryn was that person. Deals and games. And the stakes were getting higher. Soon, he’d be all in.

“I don’t want to end up trapped as a shadow.”

“It could have been worse for her.” If Verden hadn’t have shown up, it would have been. He needed to get the Hunter more firmly in his pocket, but it was damn hard. “I will not ask you to do anything other than listen and tell me what you hear. Your father would never forgive me if I let harm befall you.”

“In exchange, you make sure I stay at the table.”

“I will do what I can to help you get the pardon. Go. They are waiting and I don’t want Sulia to think I am favoring you with too much attention.”

Taryn lifted the hem of her dress and walked back to the game, but he didn’t stay to watch them pepper her with questions. He had other business to attend to before going back to the mortal world.

***

Taryn braced herself as she walked back. They would want to know what the Prince had wanted to talk to her about and she was going to have to lie—or at least be very creative with the truth.

“Well?” Sulia asked, but the others all hovered with expressions ranging from rehearsed boredom to eagerness—which was probably also rehearsed.

“He wanted to see how I was doing at Court and make sure I had some new games to bring to dinner.”

“That was dull,” said the brunette.

Taryn looked at the woman, trying to remember her name, but didn’t answer. Knowledge was power here. It was better to let people think she wasn’t catching on than have them wise up. Already she was being included in the gossip of who fancied whom, who was being shunned for a slight. It was like reading those magazines filled with celebrity gossip, only the people were being pointed out to her. Rhodia. That was her name. Always preening.

“And do you?”

Er…she was pretty sure that Black Bitch and Snap weren’t going to win her any friends. “Of course.” Euchre maybe if she could remember how to play before dinner. What a pity there wasn’t Monopoly in Annwyn; she was sure they’d like that, or maybe Risk.

Could Verden raid a toy store for her and get some more games?

Not that Verden had spoken to her since learning how to play poker, and even then nothing had been said that meant anything. He’d passed her this morning without pausing, too busy talking to another man. That they were virtually ignoring each other at Court just made her want him more. She hoped he felt the same. But she couldn’t rely on him to fetch what she asked for. No board games. Besides, they liked cards and dice and gambling, but also strategy. Black Jack was probably too simple, and they’d all be counting cards in no time.


“Maybe you could tell us more about the mortal world. You must be so glad you are here.”

Oh yeah, it was a laugh a minute. “What would you like to know today?”

This was the trade; she got their company while she told them snippets about the mortal world. Some of them had never left Annwyn—Rhodia had never left Court. She’d been born in the castle and thought that gave her status. Sulia, on the other hand, knew more about the mortal world than she let on. Sulia knew more about everything.

“About human men. Are they rough and uncivilized?”

“Some, others are delightful.” It had always been a shame she couldn’t be with them for too long. It became too hard because she had no house and no car and technically didn’t exist in the mortal world.

“Have you slept with one?”

“We aren’t allowed to take a human lover.”

“Remember what happened to Ancelin?”

The other women shook their heads as if they shouldn’t even be talking about it.

Taryn managed not to roll her eyes. They took their social standing so seriously, they wouldn’t have any fun.

She’d give them some gossip and maybe make them jealous. “Of course I’ve had sex with human men. Five of them.”

There was a gasp.

“Well, I suppose you had no other choice.” Rhodia looked at her like she needed sympathy.

Taryn bristled. “Actually I had my pick of men. Some were my lovers for quite a while.” Six months was a long time in the mortal world. After that, things got complicated. “You should really cross the veil more often. It can be a lot of fun, going to movies, going shopping, going to nightclubs and rock concerts.” Homesickness stabbed her in the gut and twisted. God she missed the mortal world. She may not have fit in perfectly there, but at least she knew her place.

The other women looked at her like she’d suggested they all run around naked.

“Why would we want to spend any more time there than required?” Rhodia picked up a ball, tired of the conversation.

Taryn opened her mouth, but someone else cut in.

“He’s back,” one of the women whispered.

While no one actually moved to look, all eyes drifted across to the man on the horse who’d just come through the doorway. They could have played anywhere around the castle, but this was the place to be, watching the comings and goings from Court. Verden was back from the mortal world. He looked grim. His lips were pulled into a thin line. He rode past their game without even looking at them.

She carefully released the breath she’d been holding. She expected him to at least acknowledge her existence and that the women were standing there instead of slighting everyone and going straight past.

“Well that was rude,” Rhodia said, and Taryn had to agree. “Usually he stops to speak to me.” She stroked a coil of hair.

Taryn looked at Rhodia, who was still watching Verden. Did she fancy him? Probably. He was the highest-ranking bachelor here. Had she unwittingly stepped between Rhodia and Verden?

“Word is he’s been in a vile mood.”

“I wonder why. It’s not as if any woman would kick him out of her bed.”

Taryn hoped she wasn’t the cause of his mood. Did he regret letting her win another trip across the veil? “I heard he’s been hunting more, troublesome Greys. Or maybe he wishes to spend time away from Court.” The words were out before Taryn could stop them, but someone needed to put the bitch Rhodia back in her box.

Rhodia glared at Taryn.

Now might be a good time to walk away from the game before she said anything that might compromise her further. She needed to be more careful around Rhodia. Taryn smiled at Sulia as if she’d truly enjoyed the game. “I think I might go to the library for a while.”

Sulia gave her a pitying look. “You have so much to catch up on, you poor thing.”

Sitting and listening to the singing stones was a respite from the constant socializing and yet a perfectly acceptable pastime as she was learning about Annwyn. She walked back into the castle. The leaves were more golden today, and more petals carpeted the ground.

She swept past the tables of games in the Hall of Flowers, past the Prince and Verden, who were having a quiet discussion over dice. Like him, she didn’t let her step falter, but she was beginning to wonder if he’d ever take her to the mortal world again. Ever kiss her again even though she knew he hadn’t risen to Hunter by breaking his word.

It was hard to be patient when she wanted to feel the press of his lips on hers. She wanted to see his smile reach his eyes. She wanted to get away from Annwyn, if only for a few moments, to let out all the frustration that was building.

The Court was carrying on as if nothing was happening, as if the flowers weren’t dying and the leaves weren’t falling. They feasted while more souls were arriving than ever before and the river swelled like a leech feasting on the upset. She wanted to scream at the pettiness of it all. It was like the sodding Titanic. Play on, boys, and ignore that the ship is sinking. The party must go on!

She walked across the hall and through the corridor that was ribboned in sunlight sneaking between the thinning leaves, and then into a chamber, which was like a dome. A huge dome littered with gray stones. Some were only fist sized, while others reached for the roof like Stone Age monuments. Sulia had shown it to her and given her the chance to listen for a few minutes before moving on. Sulia had been far too nice, letting her join in even though the other women thought she was beneath them. Sulia definitely wanted something, but Taryn hadn’t worked out what it was yet. Until she did, she had to be careful.

However, she was grateful that she knew of this place. It was the perfect place to hide, learn, and stretch. She wasn’t used to sitting around all day with a smile stuck to her face. She let her shoulders ease and the smile fade. Why Verden hadn’t included it in his tour was a mystery. But then, he’d only shown her the social aspects and tempted her with promises of trips to the mortal world.

She sat against a medium-sized rock and closed her eyes. The song swelled around her when she touched it, a battle for the throne. Gwyn’s battle for the throne. She was sure there was a way to find specific pieces of history, but for the moment, anything was fine. If anyone came in, she was simply doing some study, learning her heritage or something along those lines, but she doubted she’d be disturbed. The grass didn’t look as though it saw many feet. She ran her fingers over the soft green tips and listened to the song of an ancient battle and the destruction it had caused to both worlds.

Winter and plague.

Loss of love and life. The woman Gwyn had planned to marry killed by his brother. The Queen a substitute, the younger daughter of a human king that Gwyn had befriended. Had they ever truly been in love or had it always been duty that was now bringing bitterness? As they bickered, people died.

Fairies brought death. Is that what her heritage was? Is that all she had to offer?

Her parents wanted to live. She wanted a life. She wanted love. Love like her parents had, able to hold fast no matter how bad it got. It was possible, no matter what she’d seen so far at Court—just maybe not possible at Court.

Verden formed in her mind. He wouldn’t know love if it bit him on the ass. Her lips curved as she wondered what his ass would look like; the long waistcoats that were in fashion at the moment hid far too much. Now, a nice pair of jeans that showed off his butt and thighs, a slightly tight T-shirt. She’d tug his hair out of the binding and let it hang loose.


Yeah, he was trouble even when she dressed him as a human.

“You’re smiling at an epic battle that killed a third of all fairies.” Her daydream spoke.

Taryn opened one eye, then the other. Verden was standing in front of her. Pink crept up her cheeks—how did the other women control that? “You’re intruding on my thoughts.”

He looked at her for a moment, then bowed. “I shall leave you to them.”

“Please don’t.” She didn’t know when she’d get to talk to him again. She went to stand, and he offered her his hand to help. Their palms touched. His was rougher, warmer. He drew her up as if she weighed nothing, and she ended up standing far closer to him than she’d intended. She tilted her chin a fraction to look up at him.

Then he kissed her. His mouth sealed hers, hard and urgent. He moved closer, pressing her against the stone she had been listening to. It was cold against her back, but she didn’t care. His tongue traced her lower lip before slipping past and coaxing a moan from her. It was no longer just the magic of Annwyn flowing through her blood. Pure lust burned through her veins, hot and heady. Her fingers caught the edges of his waistcoat.

He drew back a fraction. “I had to see you.”

For an answer she kissed him. Every time he’d walked past without looking at her, or looked but did not stop to talk, had been for show. They couldn’t be friends here. He’d kept his word…so why was he breaking it now?

Anyone could walk past.

She broke the kiss off even though she was still hungry for his touch. The way his body pressed against hers left nothing to her imagination. His body was firm, and he wanted her just as much as she needed him in that moment. But the fineness of the fabric and the friction of the embroidery on his waistcoat were a reminder of how above her station he was. Whatever was happening wouldn’t go far. She would leave; he would remain. He was a Court fairy, and she wanted to go back to the mortal world where games didn’t kill.

“It’s been noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time away from Court. The Ladies are talking.” Her lips brushed his as she spoke, stealing another taste.

“I’ve been working. They should try it sometime.” He took another kiss that left her breathless, the way no human man had ever done.

“Thank you for the cards.”

“I’m glad I got the chance to play with you.” His hand cupped her cheek. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to ignore you?”

Of course she did. She wanted to say, “Then let’s stop and see what happens,” but she couldn’t. She knew that if the King saw her with another man, his favor would end. As much as she hated it, she needed his attention. She just hoped Felan knew as much about his father as he claimed. “I wish it wasn’t this way.”

“It won’t be forever.”

Would she tire of him when the thrill was missing? If she could be with him in public, there would be no burning expectation to see him again. She was here for a reason, not a good time—and not a long time. They both knew that.

“How come you didn’t show me this place?”

“Hard to make connections if you’re hiding.” His hand traced over her ribs and brushed the side of her breast.

Her back arched a little, daring him to go further. He watched her as his thumb swept over her nipple, the peak pressing against her dress. He lowered his head to take another kiss, slower and deeper this time.

A dog yipped and he stepped back as if touching her burned. “I have to go.” He glanced at the door. “Tonight, after dinner.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.

Taryn stayed where she was, catching her breath and trying to calm her body. Human men had never made her feel like that. She swallowed and eased her back away from the stone, smoothing her skirts and hoping that she looked respectable. Her finger touched her lips. She could ignore him—she could ignore him really well if he would do that more often.