Lord of the Hunt

Chapter 8




Verden caught Taryn’s gaze from the other end of the table as he raised his goblet. He’d promised her a trip across the veil tonight. He needed the trip. Between Court and hunting, he needed the peace of the wilds—any wilds would do, although he had his favorite places. He hadn’t decided where to take Taryn tonight. Somewhere different. Warmer. He had ideas of easing the dress from her body and tasting her skin.

For a moment he let himself enjoy the idea before shutting it down. Not because he didn’t want her—it had been a while since he’d acted on lust without considering all the possible implications—but because he didn’t want it showing on his face.

The King laughed as Taryn showed him another game. Jealousy stabbed beneath his ribs and twisted. He wanted to be the one sitting next to her and laughing, yet it had been so long since he’d seen Gwyn look as though he was enjoying himself that he couldn’t begrudge the man some happiness. He just wished someone else were causing it, and he didn’t want to be the one ruining it. Jealousy had no place in his heart—and his heart had no place at Court.

He glanced at the Queen, dancing with her son and a few of his friends as if there was nothing wrong. Felan was doing his best to keep her occupied, to keep her from spoiling the temporary peace. Did anyone in this room realize how hard some of them were working to keep everything going?

Probably not.

Every day there were more unfamiliar faces. Those who weren’t in exile or banished were making their way back to Court. Most were making their presence known, reswearing loyalty and leaving for the villages at the fringes until the storm blew over.

Part of him wanted to do the same.

He finished his glass of wine and signaled for a refill.

Taryn’s laugh drew his attention again. For a moment he let himself watch her and only her. He didn’t want to see the way Gwyn smiled at her or the way his hand touched hers for longer than was needed. She was playing her own game. If he fouled it up for her, she wouldn’t speak to him again—and he certainly wouldn’t get the privilege of sneaking across the veil with her.

He should’ve gone looking for trouble in the mortal world instead of watching her empty smiles and meaningless touches. His stomach turned. She was learning the manners of the Court too fast.

She leaned closer to the King, but her words carried. “Sire, I beg a favor.”

Gwyn regarded her closely. Verden wasn’t the only one listening to the exchange. He was almost holding his breath for her. Please don’t ask for the pardon.

The King was having fun, spoiling it now would not win her any favors…actually, it would see her permanently removed from this table and all hope would be shattered. As much as he hated watching her with the King, he didn’t want her to fail. He didn’t want to see her grieving her parents’ death either. Did they realize the love and loyalty she had for them? More than he’d had for his parents. He pushed aside the thought before it had a chance to gnaw at him. There’d be time to see his parents later.

“You may ask, but I may not grant.” Gwyn placed down his goblet.

Taryn’s smile faltered as if she sensed the change in the King’s mood. “I would like permission to visit my grandmother Cerela. I believe she lives not far from Court?”

Gwyn raised one eyebrow. “Why do you seek to leave Court already?”

“I’m sure she is eager for news of my mother.”


“Are you always so thoughtful of others?”

“Perhaps it is a human trait I have picked up.” Taryn glanced away as if embarrassed to be admitting such a thing.

She was playing the King and he seemed to be believing it—or maybe he just wanted to believe it. The idea that a pretty young thing raised across the veil would fall into his bed must be powerful for an ancient King now facing winter.

Isn’t that why he was attracted to her? She was different. Fairy and yet…untainted was the only word that sprung to mind. The way Verden had been once, before the lust for power and status had made him who he was. He spun his goblet on the table. No, he’d never been as innocent as Taryn. He’d sought the power of Court where she didn’t want it; she only wanted her father’s pardon. While many would sneer, he respected that. Maybe she was stronger than he was. She certainly had a better heart.

Maybe she was playing him and he wasn’t even realizing.

If she was, he didn’t care.

He was enjoying it.

For once, he was going to do what he wanted, and the only way to do that was to keep playing in the dark, away from Court. Even as he planned his game, he knew he was betraying the King. Every kiss he shared with Taryn meant something. He wasn’t sure what, but it was more than a simple deal.

“Your grandmother isn’t far from here. There is a small hamlet where the tailors, cobblers, and tinkers live. Take the path that passes the maze. I give you permission to go and find her. I’m sure some of the Ladies will go with you to look at fabric and ribbons.” Gwyn leaned forward. “Perhaps the Hunter could accompany you to make sure you return safely.”

Taryn glanced at Verden and for a heartbeat he couldn’t find words. He nodded. Gwyn was only sending him to make sure Taryn didn’t take off. She was almost a prisoner of the Court. Felan could have invited her back and let her have free run of Annwyn, but no, he’d made sure she was here and close to the King. “I can’t think of a way I’d rather spend a day than escorting Ladies around.”

Usually that would have been a lie.

“Thank you, sire.” Taryn bowed her head.

Verden stood and bowed to the King. He didn’t have to offer excuses. The King acknowledged him with a slight raising of his hand and that was it. He was dismissed. Getting out of the hall and out of the castle had never felt so good.

Taryn might be kept there by royal command, but he’d willingly sold himself to the Court. He felt the weight of that deal with every breath. Yet if he had freedom, he didn’t know what he’d do with it. He’d been caged for too long.

Hunter of Annwyn was just the first slave of the Court.

***

As before, a white hound was waiting for her just outside the castle. The dog gave her a sniff and then loped away, heading in a different direction than last time. For a moment she hesitated, and she glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was watching. But she was alone, and if she wanted to leave Annwyn and see Verden, she didn’t really have a choice.

There was further to walk this time. As the castle became more distant, the knot in her stomach tightened. What if someone caught her out here? She knew sneaking away was wrong and yet…waiting to escape gave her hope and a reason to fake her way through dinners and games and all the other things she didn’t care about.

She’d almost asked for the pardon tonight. The words had burned her tongue, but she’d seen the look in the King’s eye change the moment she’d asked for a favor and had known that Felan was right about the timing, and it had to be something small first to test the water. The only reason she was no longer panicking every time the King smiled at her was because she knew it was a game for the Court—assuming Felan was right about that too.

He had to be. The alternative didn’t sit well at all.

The dog leaped over some brambles and she followed, lifting her dress so it didn’t catch. A flash of white in the shadows caught her eye. Too big for a dog. A horse.

“Finished playing cards?” Verden was hidden in shadows so she couldn’t read his expression, but she could hear the sharpness of his words. Was that jealousy?

“For tonight.” They both knew she had to keep going for her parents. “Finished scowling?”

Silence. Then he moved, stepping into the dappled moonlight. “I hate this. Yet I can’t stop. I want to play cards with you. I want to dance with you instead of pretending I don’t care.” His fingers traced down her arm. “Then I think maybe it’s only because I can’t have you that I want you.”

She knew exactly what he meant. Of all the men at Court, Verden was the one who could derail her plans, and yet he was the one who drew her eye. She wanted him. She closed the distance between them, her body almost touching his. “We could test that theory.”

He turned his head so his lips brushed hers. Not quite a kiss, but it was enough to make her heart flutter. “What are you suggesting?”

Her tongue darted over her lip. What exactly was she suggesting? Anything in public was out…but they could do anything they wanted in private. “Did you want to lose that bet?”

“I would only lose if we were found out. Some things are best kept secret.”

“True.” She drew in a breath. “If it weren’t for my father—”

“You wouldn’t be here.” He lifted his hand, his fingers brushing her neck as if he planned on kissing her. “I am glad you came.”

His mouth closed over hers, stealing her breath with a desperate kiss.

She didn’t want to be here a moment longer. “Let’s leave and pretend the Court doesn’t exist.”

“I am more than happy to grant that desire.” He drew back and led her toward the horse, then put his hands on her waist and went to lift her.

“On the horse?” Her voice was little more than a squeak.

“I have somewhere special in mind, but the doorway is further away.”

“I can’t ride.” She’d never gone near a horse in the mortal world, but she could drive a car—something she was willing to bet Verden couldn’t do.

“I’ll be with you. It will be fine.” He lifted her onto the horse before she could argue again. A moment later he was behind her, his arm around her waist. “Relax.”

It was hard not to lean back against him as he urged the horse forward. The horse covered the distance, her stomach flip-flopping with every step. She saw two carved stones, then the horse passed between them and it was daylight.

She was back in the mortal world.

It took a moment to realize she was on the flat top of a stone pyramid. Stairs broke the smooth slope. A ruined temple in the jungle. It was only small, not tall enough to break through the cover of the trees. Birds screeched at the sudden disturbance.

Verden jumped down and then helped her. “Can you guess where we are?”

She looked at the trees and vines, the lushness. While Annwyn was green, it lacked the vitality that this place had. Annwyn had magic; it thrummed with power, but this place had life. Heat and humidity wrapped around her, the constant noise of nature instead of the weird almost silence of the forest of Annwyn. She grinned and turned around. More jungle and ruins spread before her. “South America?”

Verden pulled off his waistcoat and draped it over one of the stones that formed the doorway to Annwyn. “There used to be many doorways here. Death was as important as life. We were worshipped as gods.” He shrugged. “All before my time, but apparently sacrifices used to be far more common.”


“It’s nice to know we’re more civilized now.” She walked around the horse, her hand on the animal’s flank, the fur like velvet—not what she’d expected at all. Not where she’d expected him to take her either. But then, how many doorways to the wilds still existed and how many had been destroyed by humans?

Verden’s gaze followed her. “Are we? Or do we just hide it better?”

“Maybe both?” Here she didn’t have to hide. “Did you want to show me some of the ruins?”

“Some.” There was a gleam in his eyes like he had other plans too. He took her hand and led her down the stone steps.

“Do you come here often?”

“No. The doorway is too far away and I don’t want the spotted cats expecting fairy horse for dinner.”

Taryn stopped on the last step. “You mean jaguars?”

Verden looked at her and frowned. “The wild fae here call them balam.”

She glanced back at the horse standing on top of the temple. Maybe being here wasn’t such a good idea. “Is the horse safe?” Are we safe?

“For a while, but I wouldn’t want to impose. Wild fae expect the natural order of things to continue. Stopping a balam from eating the horse breaks those rules. However, I think we will be okay today.” He gave her hand a small tug. “I swear we will be safe.”

She took the final step down into the soft red dirt. “Why are there no tourists here?”

“Tourists?”

“How come no one comes here?”

“It’s hidden. Partly because of the magic, partly because of the wild fae. But magic needs to be fed and it’s been a long time since anyone worshipped here.” His fingers traced her cheek.

“So how many other women have you brought here?”

“None.” His hand fell away. “When I use the old doorways, I go alone. I don’t see the reason to remind the others they exist.”

But it wasn’t the doorways she wanted to know about. It was his other lovers. He was hundreds of years older than her. He’d be her first fairy lover…she wanted to be something to him other than the one he shouldn’t have.

“You confine your trysts to Court?”

He looked away. “What do you want me to say? There is no right answer to that question. Yes, I’ve had lovers. I even liked some of them. Some were just part of the game, maybe I was part of their game—I probably was. A bet, a dare, securing a deal.” He shrugged.

Taryn looked at him for a moment. “You’ve never had sex just for fun? Because you could? Because you wanted to?” If he said no, that would be tragic. Insects buzzed in the background, the jungle hummed with life and magic. They were the only people for miles. “Verden?”

“I was thinking.”

“I already know the answer because you took so long to respond.” She placed her hand on his arm.

“No you don’t. It was just so long ago I’d buried it. It was before I went to Court.”

And he’d been at Court for quite a long time—in mortal years anyway. She wanted to ask about his life before he became Hunter, but now wasn’t the time or place.

He lifted his gaze to her face, his lips curving in a smile that promised all kinds of pleasure. “Maybe that is about to change?”

“That depends…I’m not about to lie on the dirt.”

“Have some faith in me.” He led her a little bit away from the temple to where another building was now being reclaimed by the jungle. Vines grew up the sides and the roof and two walls were missing, tumbled into a pile of gray rocks. What was left was beautiful, carved with pictures that must have once told a story.

She knew if tourists started tramping through here, the magic would dissolve. The only reason it still remained was because it was uninterrupted. Her fingertips tingled. The magic she could do in the mortal world was small because she was so young. Here she felt like she could do anything. Rebuild the wall? She almost needed to do something. Verden cleared the floor of old leaves and fresh ones appeared with a sweep of his hand.

“Did you check for spiders?” Then she decided to try it herself, but there was nothing in the building—just her and Verden.

As if they were the only people now in existence.

His lips pressed against hers and all her concerns melted on her tongue. Her blood was hot, her skin sheened with humidity, and her clothes stuck to her. Around her the air thrummed with power. The ancient site and old magic intensified every sweep of his tongue or brush of his fingertips along her skin. He kissed her neck as his hands traced down her back and cupped her butt, drawing her close. The length of his erection pressed against her stomach and her belly contracted as longing filled her. Her nipples peaked against the thin dress.

His fingers traced the curve of her butt, a caress that was more teasing than anything. His eyes were bright and luminous, as if he was truly alive instead of going through the motions. “You make me remember why I came to Court. I was looking for something. I thought I’d found it when I became Hunter, but I was wrong. The women just wanted me for what I could get them.”

She drew back a little. “I’m no different. I wanted to escape Court.”

“I offered; that is the difference. You never tried to hide what you wanted.” His fingers found the buttons on each side of her dress and he began to flick them open.

“Yet I do with every breath at Court. I can’t ask directly for what I want, and I can’t speak to you.” She undid his shirt and pushed it open. His skin was smooth, like silk, planes of muscle dipped and curved. Perfect, but had she ever imagined anything less?

“Then I shall speak to you in public.” He undid the last button, so her dress gapped at the sides, then his hand slid under the fabric. His thumb swept across the underside of her breast. “And drag you away at every opportunity.” He lowered his head and took one nipple in his mouth, sucking through the fabric.

She arched her back and gasped. He didn’t need to drag her anywhere; she’d go willingly. He kissed back up her throat, teeth nipping softly at her skin. She pushed his shirt off and he let it fall onto the bed of leaves.

Even though her dress no longer covered much, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get totally naked. Were there wild fae here, watching? Verden pushed off his boots so he stood in just his trousers. Then he beckoned her forward, to the waiting bed of greenery. She hesitated, watching as he undid his trousers; then he pushed them down and stepped out of them.

Naked, he was glorious. Flawless.

Fit and lean.

The afternoon sun slanted on his golden skin, highlighting every curve of muscle and the light dusting of hair that arrowed down. Her gaze lingered on his shaft as it curved toward his body. Her tongue traced her lower lip as she looked up. He was waiting for her.

She swallowed. Today she was a wild fae, giving into the need burning in her blood—a need that he’d lit. One that only he could sate. They were safe here, hidden away from everyone. She’d worry about everything else later. She carefully untied the ribbon on her shoulder and let the dress slide down her body. She stepped out of her delicate slippers, ballet flats that would make a mortal green with envy. They were both making every move deliberate, as if giving the other the chance to back away. It wasn’t too late. They could put on their clothes and end this now.

Except it wouldn’t end.

They would circle each other at Court, wondering what it would be like. Maybe this would be it. Get him out of her system. Even as she thought it, she knew it wouldn’t happen like that. Giving into craving never took away the desire. Yet she couldn’t turn away. She stepped closer, the magic of the ruined site snapping between them.

He drew her down to the bed of leaves, his body covering hers. His knee was between her thighs, separating her legs. His shaft was hard and hot against her stomach. She kissed him, her hands smoothing down his back, his skin was slick from the jungle heat. The magic here was older, raw and wild where Annwyn was tame and restrained.

Verden kissed down her throat, his tongue caressing her collarbone, his body pulling away as his hands moved over her. Her skin burned with every touch. The days and days of waiting and lusting without being able to act on a single glance had taken their toll. She was fairy, not stone.

His hand smoothed up her leg, and he touched the little toe ring with his lips before working his way up her leg, kissing and tasting, taking his time as though he wouldn’t get another chance. The heat in his eyes shocked her. She hadn’t expected it to be so clear. His expression was undisguised hunger, as if he hadn’t allowed himself to feel, or be free, in too long.

His lips grazed her inner thigh, his breath hot on her skin. She pulled him back toward her, hooking her legs around his hips so his shaft was pressing against her slick and swollen folds. So tempting, so close. Every breath smelled of him and jungle. Wild and intoxicating.

He took another kiss and rolled his hips, teasing without entering. He was smiling, as if he were enjoying her gasps and the way her fingers kneaded his butt. That he was really smiling made her lips curve in a grin.

“What’s so funny?” he said between kisses.

“Nothing. I was smiling because you are.”

“Don’t I smile?” He rolled his hips against hers, but this time, she was ready and the tip of his cock slid into her core. She drew in a breath, expecting more, but he stopped.

She looked him in the eye. Her thumb brushed his cheek, then his lower lip. “Not really, not enough.”

“I can’t help it when I’m around you.”

“You should spend more time with me.”

“I know.” He sank deeper into her. Filling her.

She didn’t try to bite back the moan of satisfaction. As he began to move, she closed her eyes; she had to as sensation rippled through every nerve and tightened in her belly, liquid heat pooling in her sex.

No, she needed to see him. She opened her eyes and pushed him back so he knelt between her legs, her hips resting on his thighs. The surprise left his gray eyes and was replaced with molten understanding as he gripped her hips and thrust deeper. And she watched every stroke. She watched the way he moved, the look on his face in the fading light.

His thumb swept over *, circling, and she broke apart, his name on her lips as she came. He caged her body again, sealing her lips with his as he came with a growl lodged in his throat. He thrust again, as if drawing out the sensation. She trembled and came again, clenching around his cock. He did it again, and this time she could feel him grinning against her lips.

Her body was already oversensitive and responded to his touch too easily. She didn’t want it to end. She didn’t want him to roll away and dress. She wanted to hold on to him. He was hers.

They lay there, entangled, as their breathing settled, the air cooling their skin. The hum of insects and their breathing were the only sounds. Nothing and no one disturbed them. But they both knew the spell had to end; they couldn’t stay here forever.

Could they?

She sighed and he eased away, but instead of getting up, he laid on his back next to her, gazing up at the stars as they appeared in the soft, dark sky. There were half a dozen before he spoke.

“I like it here.”

“That’s what you said about the other place.” She glanced over, but he wasn’t looking at her.

“I never used to like it here. It was too different, too wild, but it grew on me. When I was thinking of someplace special to take you, this place was the only place I thought of.”

“It’s very magical.”

“A lot of rituals took place here. Since they died, no one comes here.”

“A lost temple.” She smiled. Their lost temple where no one could find them.

He turned onto his side and looked at her, his gaze drinking her in as if he never wanted to forget. “You would come back?”

“I would go anywhere with you.” The words were out before she could vet them. She’d revealed too much. It was one thing to lust after him and f*ck him, but she was in no position to fall for him—or admit such a foolish thing. People at Court didn’t seem to fall in love. They loved the deals and games more than each other. Fairy men don’t play with their hearts.

He placed a chaste kiss on her lips. “I won’t use the truth against you. If I wanted lies, I wouldn’t be here with you. I’d be at Court pretending to smile and have fun.”

That was as close to an admission of where he wanted to be as she was going to get. He’d played Court politics for too long to actually reveal much more. Sadness welled in her heart for him. She rolled onto her side and brushed aside a strand of his hair.

His hair and clothes were careless because that was the only freedom he had; everything he did was controlled by the rules of the Court, the deals he was caught in.

“Do you ever want to run away and never go back?” She whispered the words.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. It’s what is good for Annwyn.” He blinked slowly. When he opened his eyes, the mask was back up. “I think I have gambled more than I was willing to lose.” He fingers traced her lips before he let his hand fall away.

He’d finally realized that he didn’t want to risk his position to be with her, and yet she couldn’t bear for the game to end. Not yet. Not when they were just starting. Maybe he’d gotten what he wanted and that was it. She was the fool. She’d let herself think she was more than casual fun—wanted to be more. A tiny part of her had started falling for him. She sat up so he couldn’t see her face.

The leaves rustled behind her. His hand traced up her back as if he still had the right to intimacy.

She couldn’t look at him. “And this? Was this good for Annwyn?” Was it even good for her? Probably not.

He stood up and offered her his hand. The sadness on his face made her wish she’d never asked. “No. Gwyn will be gutted if he finds out. He showers you with attention—”

“He makes no move. He does nothing but publicly claim me.” And she hoped that would be as far as it went.

“You want more? You want to be his lover?” He lowered hand.

“No.” I want you. But she couldn’t say it. Not now. She got up and dusted off a few clingy leaves. “I’m here with you.” Her words were choked. She had no idea what she was doing.

He cupped her chin so she had to look at him. “You think I want this? Do you know what I risk? I am the Hunter; Gwyn is my friend. And yet I can’t walk away. You are lodged in my heart. I feel alive. I don’t have to lie and play games with you, yet when I go back to Court, I must tell even more untruths and make certain I never give away my true desire.” He kissed her, leaving no doubt. Searing and intense—not the kiss of a man who had taken what he wanted and was no longer interested.


Her toes curled in the leaves. She was in his heart? It wasn’t his status that he’d been talking about. He’d gamble his heart. She wasn’t the only idiot falling for the wrong person.

“Then what do we do?” Her hands rested on his chest.

He leaned his forehead against hers. “I have no idea.”

For a moment, neither of them moved.

“I’m not trying to end this, Taryn. But you need to realize what is at stake.”

“I do. If I fail, my parents die.” That was the only reason she’d come to Court, but she’d let herself become distracted.

He shook his head. “If we are caught, we could both die.”

For half a second she was expecting him to smile, but he was being deadly serious. “What do you mean?”

“We are blindsiding the King. He may not be wanting to take you to bed—the Queen would make you disappear—but you are the object of his affection. If he knew you had another lover, he would lose face.” Verden picked up her dress and helped her do it up.

She didn’t move, couldn’t. She hadn’t thought of it like that.

He sighed and a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. “I don’t know how to untangle this web we have made without someone getting hurt.”