Lord of the Hunt (6 page)

He knew her lineage. Fairies took the name of the fairy parent, as it made it easy to keep track of family trees. She didn’t know who her human sire had been and it didn’t matter.

Taryn lifted her chin and met his icy gaze. “As you said, she isn’t in exile, so she came back to Annwyn to give birth.”

His lips twitched. “Your mother was always a smart woman. Smart enough to be on my Council once. Do you take after her?”

Taryn tried to hide her surprise as quickly as possible. Her mother had been on the Council? Yet she’d still chosen to leave with Taryn’s father over her service to the King. No wonder getting a pardon for her father had been a long time coming. Her heart sank as Taryn realized just what she had to achieve. Her mother had wounded the King’s pride. How was she ever going to convince him that her father should be allowed to return?

“People say I look like her.” Maybe if the King still held a candle for her mother, it would be enough to eventually return both her parents to Court.

“You do. It’s the eyes I think.” He looked at her for longer than was really necessary. “Any more siblings I should know about?”

“No, sire. Raising a fairy child in the mortal world is hard work apparently. Though I know my mother would like another when they are allowed to return.” She held her breath, wondering if she’d pressed too far.

“Your mother is always welcome in Annwyn.” The King lifted her hand and kissed it.

Taryn resisted the urge to pull away; instead, she kept her attention on the King, her heart beating fast out of fear not desire. Just how far would she play this game to get the pardon? She was vaguely aware of other people at the table watching. What were they thinking?

She swallowed. She had to make it clear that without her husband, Arlea would never return. If the King didn’t grant the pardon, she’d lose both her parents. “She would never leave her heart behind.”

For a moment neither of them moved. Then the King laughed and released her hand. “You are more like her than you know.”

Was that a good thing? She was beginning to wonder just what her mother had done to get on the Council. She knew fairies traded sex for favors, but hearing about it and being caught in it were two different things. Maybe she was too human to play fairy games.

The Queen stood and clapped her hands. “I grow tired of talking. A dance!”

Obediently, several of the diners at the table got up. Verden remained seated, his gaze carefully on the people attending the dinner. Everyone except her. She might as well have been invisible.

“Cards.” The King held out his hand and a shadow placed a deck there.

Dinner was removed so the table was clear for gaming. Then the King looked at her. “Do you know how to play any Court games?”

Taryn shook her head. She wasn’t ready to play any kind of game with the King. She could almost feel the water getting deeper and the currents stronger, ready to drag her under.

“Sit with me and learn. Verden.” The King beckoned him closer.

Verden stood and walked over, cup in hand, then sat in the vacated seat. “What do we play?”

“Omission, to teach the Lady.”

“Ah.” Verden directly acknowledged her as if he’d been granted permission for the first time that night. “I’m so glad you were able to join us for dinner.” His smile lost its impersonal edge for a moment, but it was back so fast she couldn’t be sure if it was imagined or real.

“A pleasure.” Her cheeks heated like she’d never had a man look at her and smile. Her gaze slid over Verden’s shoulders to his hands. Elegant but unadorned by rings. He didn’t need jewels to draw attention.

The King was talking, something about the rules of the game. His hand touched hers for a second, but it was a second too long while Verden was watching. He hadn’t missed the gesture. She nodded along as if understanding, then watched as the cards were dealt and the game began. It was too quick for her to follow and Verden lost.

“Will you give me a chance to regain my honor in front of the Lady?” Verden smiled, but it wasn’t the one she’d seen in the garden. This one was purely for show. How much of how he behaved was for the benefit of others? Had his conversation with her been an act to lure her in? Or had that been the truth, and this was the lie? She glanced across the floor to where people were either dancing or dining in organized chaos. Who would she be able to trust if everyone was playing along and seeking only to increase their standing?

“Best of three.”

Again the King dealt, and he and Verden played the hand. This time she watched more closely, trying to work out how they were playing and what the animal and season cards meant. It wasn’t just new games, it was a different set of cards. Yet she’d have to learn some of the games just to get by and look the part. She glanced at the King. She needed to learn to be able to play with him.

Laughter from the dance floor distracted her. The Queen was the center of attention, Ladies and Lords spinning around her in a dance that seemed to trap her every time she pretended to get free.

“She’s beautiful isn’t she?” The King’s breath brushed her ear and the hair on her arms prickled to attention.

“She is.” She looked like Snow White with her dark hair and dark eyes; it was no wonder Gwyn had married her.

“Don’t let her looks deceive you. She is cruel and bitter and you would do well to avoid the web she weaves.” He slapped the table, returning attention to the game.

Right, less Snow White more evil Queen. Taryn considered that would be her one and only warning. If she fell into the Queen’s circle, that would be the end of her privilege.

The dance ended and the Queen glided over, her cheeks pink from dancing, her eyes bright, and yet there was no joy in her features. “Come, husband, dance with me.” The Queen held out her hand.

The King paused a moment before getting up. There was still another hand of the card game to go. Would he ignore his wife when so many watched? Everyone seemed to pause to see what would happen. Then he took his wife’s hand, leaving Taryn and Verden at the table alone. They glanced at each other, and Taryn was aware of how many people surrounded them, pretending not to look to see what would happen next. She wasn’t used to living so publicly. Reality TV had nothing on this.

She needed to say something to him. She wanted him to speak to her. “So…is it like this every evening?”

Verden took a sip of his drink and gathered up the deck of cards. “This is the first time in about ten days that both the King and Queen have attended dinner.” He handed her the cards. “There are five suits. Four seasons plus animals. Then there are the majors, which include the eight festivals, like midsummer.”

She fanned the cards over the table and looked at them; each one was a beautiful picture more like tarot than playing cards, but she wasn’t interested in the cards right now. She glanced up at him, but he was looking at the cards.

“Why are you talking to me now when you ignored me before?” She kept her voice soft, not sure if she really wanted to know the answer but figuring it was safer to know.

“Dinner is not the time or place for private discussions. It’s for watching and building alliances. You needed to build one with the King. If you had been speaking with me, what do you think would have happened?” The whole time he spoke, he was pointing to different cards. To anyone watching, it was as if he were explaining the important aspects of each suit.

She nodded. “Okay. I thought it was because…” Because you weren’t interested is what she wanted to say, but she went with a safer option. “I have no status.”

“I have enough of my own not to worry about that.” He looked across the floor. “We have sat for long enough. Let me have the first dance, as I’m sure it will be the only one I get with you tonight.” He picked up the cards and placed them in his waistcoat; then he stood and offered her his hand.

“You don’t leave me any choice.” Yet dancing with Verden would be no hardship, except they would be watched. Were they watching her or him? She was sure he was only doing what was expected. Was she a chore or a pleasure? It was hard to tell when his expression rarely slipped.

She took his hand and let herself be led to the area used for dancing. Fortunately he didn’t drag her into the middle where the King and Queen were doing something that was stiffly formal, and even though they were both smiling, neither seemed to be enjoying it. Even from here, she could feel the tension between them. They hated each other and any goodwill was for show. How had everything gone so wrong?

“Just follow. The steps aren’t that hard,” Verden said as he lifted her hand and placed his other one behind his back. He waited for her to copy.

She looked at the other dancers and realized they were doing the same steps as the King and Queen, but not at the same time. People were at different stages of the same sequence, making it appear like madness at first, but it was really just a repeating pattern. She began to see and feel it in her body. Her palm heated in Verden’s hand.

“You feel it?” He stepped closer.

“Yes.” She did; the magic of the music was in her blood. When she looked at him, he was gazing down at her, heat flickering in his eyes. Right now she didn’t care if she got singed.

As he’d said, the steps weren’t hard. She copied his movements and followed, letting the music flow through her. Different to the mortal music she was used to, this was ancient and powerful. It wasn’t just her pulse she felt increasing; it was Verden’s, as if for the duration of the dance the magic was bringing them closer. They stopped with the music, toe to toe, her body only millimeters from his. One deep breath and her breasts would brush his chest. Her skin tingled. For a moment neither of them moved. He was looking at her with a look in his eyes that could only be called wild and untamed.

She risked that breath; their bodies touched for a moment, long enough to send desire spiraling through her blood. It was closely followed by the hard edge of reason and the sharper blade of danger. She knew why Verden kept his distance when people were watching. It was information that could be used against her…and him.

Verden closed his eyes for a second and stepped back. When he opened his eyes, the cool indifference was back. She knew she couldn’t raise a mask that quickly and wasn’t sure that was a skill she wanted, even though it was one she’d need.

“It’s been a pleasure.” He gave a slight bow. “Should you wish to…escape…for a little while tonight, my offer still stands.” He added in a much lower voice. “I can help you if you trust me.”

Then he released her hand and walked away. She wasn’t naïve enough to think that if they left together it wouldn’t be noticed or spoken about. She glanced at the King and Queen, now dancing with other people. But the music no longer seemed so potent. It didn’t make her want to dance the way it had when Verden had held her hand. She glanced around to try and catch sight of Verden, but he’d vanished.

Others offered their hand and tried to get her to dance, but she shook her head and moved away from the dance floor. There was no way she was going to get dragged into that pit of trouble without a guide; there would be etiquette and unspoken rules that she could only guess at. That and it wasn’t really her kind of music. She much preferred human rock music. Concerts were the best, standing right at the front with everyone, stamping and singing. She missed her life, even though she’d only been pretending to be human. Here, she was pretending to be fairy, and they were all waiting for her to fall over so they could laugh.

“Taryn.” A hand landed on her arm.

Taryn glanced up from the long nails delicately tipped with blue gems and into eyes that were almost white except for the palest tint of pink. The woman had white-blond hair elaborately pinned and braided. Here she was probably considered beautiful—to Taryn she looked freaky, like Halloween meets prom night.

“Can I help you?”

“I knew your mother when she sat at the table.” The woman smiled but didn’t ease her grip.

So
did
half
the
Court
probably.

“Let us walk and talk,” said the ice blond.

Well, that would be lovely except this woman could be anyone and just being seen with her could ruin the small chance Taryn had of getting her parents home. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure we’ve met. You are?”

The woman laughed. “Did you not see me with the Queen? I am one of her Ladies.”

There were a lot of Ladies around the Queen, and a lot of men—but just because they fawned for attention didn’t mean they liked her or supported her. It could just mean that the Queen had something on them or they wanted a favor only she could grant. Where did the freaky blond fit?

“You need to be seen with me by the Queen or she might think you are interested in her husband and that will not go well for you. At least appear to be aligning yourself with anyone with power. If the King chooses to shower you with attention, then it will at least look like you weren’t seeking it.” The woman began walking, her arm looped through Taryn’s so Taryn had no choice but to follow unless she wanted to make scene. She should have left the Hall of Flowers with Verden. That gossip she could live with.

However, the woman might have a point. She couldn’t afford to piss off the Queen.

“How is your mother?”

“She is well.”
As
she
can
be
given
the
situation.

“And your father?” The woman nodded and smiled at a few people as she walked past.

Taryn bit her lip. Her father wanted her mother to return and not risk being caught on the wrong side of the veil, but she wasn’t going to reveal anything of importance to this woman. “My father wishes the best for my mother.”

“She was always stubborn. How stubborn are you, Taryn? I know why you are here, and I know who invited you. What I don’t know is what you are going to do or how far you are willing to go to see your parents reinstated—or at least returned.” The woman stopped and faced her. “Do you have even half your mother’s courage and brains?”