by Shona Husk
Excerpt from Lord of the Hunt
A lean white dog with red tips on its ears and tail wandered in to her alcove. She quickly wiped away her tears and held out her hand. The dog trotted over for a sniff, and then a second dog rounded the corner. How many were there? Before she had time to fear the dogs, the gray-eyed man stood in front of her.
He leaned against a tree and smiled. “Now why would a Lady just back at Court be so sad?”
She searched his smoky gray eyes for a hint at his intent, but saw no malice.
“You leave a lover behind?” He took a step closer and the alcove seemed to grow smaller around them.
Who was this Lord? His clothing wasn’t brightly colored and it didn’t glitter with gems, and yet this close, she could see that the fabric was covered in delicate stitches that shimmered in the light. The cuffs of his shirt were undone, the ties dangling. His dark brown hair was pulled back, but strands fell around his face, softening his otherwise sharp cheekbones and nose. He was beautiful even by fairy standard—and he’d followed her out here.
She glanced at the dogs sitting obediently at his feet. He’d sent them after her. Was she talking to the Lord of the Hunt? Her heart gave an extra beat.
Taryn shook her head. She didn’t want him thinking she was crying over a human lover. “My family.”
“Ah. They are in the mortal world.” He nodded as if confirming his information. How did he know? “Brownies, then?”
“Yes.” Being a Brownie was as good as it got in the mortal world, living in the home of a changeling, or more rarely a human, and keeping the house immaculate. A home within a home. A small exchange between human and fairy sealed the pact. It didn’t matter where fairies were; rank and social standing was important. She’d thought the stuffy all-girls school she’d attended had prepared her for Court. It hadn’t.
The dogs laid down and looked relaxed, but their eyes never left her. And neither did his. He’d sought her, which meant he wanted something. What could a man with almost as much power as the King want from her? For half a second, she wanted to give him anything he asked for if he would help her get her father’s pardon. But that wouldn’t be a smart move.
She almost smiled—she did know something about Court and Annwyn politics, but caution made her careful. She had to confirm who he was first. “Your dogs?”
“They are, but don’t worry. They are well trained and won’t harm you.” He moved a little closer to her. “But there are plenty of others who would.”
She tilted her chin and held his gaze. Heat flared but was smothered so quickly she couldn’t be sure it had ever existed, and she was no human who would trip into the arms of a fairy without knowing the danger.
“But not you?” She tried to sound as though she believed those words. The Hunter was the King’s justice. He could literally do whatever he liked.
He took a slow look at her, from her bare feet, one toe adorned with a ring, to her now unraveled hair. Compared to the Ladies of the Court, she must look like she’d just tumbled out of bed. This was not how her mother would want her to present herself, yet nothing on his face suggested disappointment. Heat crept up her cheeks. She wasn’t used to such obvious assessment and interest.
He leveled his gaze at her. “I don’t think you are here to harm the King.”
“Is that why he asked you to follow me?”
He grinned as if he was having fun. “Most don’t come out and ask such questions of me.”
“Ah, well, I don’t know your name. To whom am I speaking?”
He gave her a fluid half bow. “Verden ap Hollis ap Lorcyn. Lord of the Hunt.”
Being right only made her more nervous. Yes, it was definitely nerves, not attraction making her heart flutter. Then she realized he’d given her his full name freely; she should lower her gaze or drop a curtsy or something, and yet he didn’t seem to expect either.
“Why did you follow me?”
“It is my job to ensure the safety of the King and Annwyn. I always seek out new arrivals for a quiet talk.”
She almost believed that, but there was a glint in his eyes as if he were enjoying himself. Did he want to be here talking her? No, she was imagining it simply because he was taking the time to talk to her. Men like him had their pick of women—mortal and fairy. She was just part of his job.
“And?”
He walked around her. “And I think you are intriguing, Taryn merch Arlea.”
Her heart lurched as a wave of homesickness washed over her at the mention of her mother’s name. Why was he suddenly being so formal? Or was he proving he knew all about her already? Did he know why she was here and was just hoping to hear it from her lips? Too bad. She kept her back straight and waited for him to face her again.
“I think the whole Court is going to find you interesting.”
“I know. I could tell from the whispers.”
“Do you want to know why?”
“New face?” She raised an eyebrow. Telling him the reason she was here was not a good idea. Not yet anyway. Maybe he’d help; maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe the price of his help would be too high. No, she was sure it would be too high.
“Plenty of people are crossing the veil and returning to Annwyn for safety. Few are coming to Court. And yet you did. And you were introduced, which also means it is your first time at Court.”
She nodded.
“That means you want something from someone at Court.”
Deleted prologue from To Love a King
Seven Years Ago
Jacqui smoothed one hand over her bare stomach, turning sideways and checking her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Still flat. No one could tell—yet. But she knew it would only be a matter of weeks until her belly popped out and her parents realized she was pregnant. She closed her eyes and swallowed down the panic that blossomed in her chest. She had no idea what to tell them. They already hated her boyfriend. This would be unforgivable in their eyes.
She could imagine the frozen rage on her father’s face as he berated her for wasting the money he was paying to send her to college. Her mother would agree, and Jacqui already knew what they would suggest. They wanted her to finish college without any hindrances. To them Felan was an obstacle, simply time spent away from studies. Her fingertips pressed against her stomach. Even though the baby hadn’t been planned, there was no way she was going to terminate or give it up for adoption. Felan didn’t want that either.
She’d been so worried about telling him, but he’d been thrilled. His eyes had lit up with joy and they’d celebrated with non-alcoholic wine and a picnic. She pressed her lips together as she remembered their last kiss. He’d been gone for two weeks. This wasn’t the first time he’d been gone for a while without contacting her, but it had never worried her before now. She really didn’t want to face her parents alone. She wanted Felan there to say that he was going to stand by her and they were going to raise the baby together.
He is coming back. He always comes back.
Her stomach cramped and sent pain spiraling through her body. She drew in a breath and held it. The cramp faded. It was nothing, just her body adjusting. Everything would be fine. She slowly let the air out. Maybe she wouldn’t tell her parents until after they were past the first three months. Felan would be back before then and he’d be able to tell her a bit more about what to expect—the internet hadn’t been able to tell her what was normal for a human carrying fairy baby.
But plenty of women had given birth to fairy babies before, as there was no other way for fairies to reproduce. She’d known for a while that Felan wasn’t as human as he looked. Then again, he was too good looking to be true. She grinned. The moment he’d walked into her college class she’d been in lust.
And here she was, preparing to be a mom with a man who wasn’t here and wasn’t human. She couldn’t even ring him since there was no cell phone coverage in Annwyn. Annwyn, across the veil and somewhere she couldn’t reach. Even as she thought it, it sounded crazy. It
couldn’t be real. Fairies and other realms…and yet Felan had shown her little tricks and fairy magic. She believed him. It explained him.
What if she’d fallen for the ultimate con? But what had Felan got to gain? She closed her eyes. She couldn’t start doubting him now. He loved her and wanted to marry her. They were going to have a baby together. She dressed and finished drying her hair, preparing to act as if nothing were wrong even though she knew her parents would needle her about Felan’s absence and those elusive business trips he took. How else could she explain it?
This isn’t a mistake. Felan will be back.
Nausea joined the cramps and for a moment she felt faint. She placed her hand on the wall of the bathroom until it passed. He’d be back soon, they’d tell her parents and everything would be fine.
But with every passing day that promise became more hollow. He couldn’t keep taking off and leaving her to wonder when he was coming back. He’d told her time moved differently in Annwyn, but when she’d wanted to go and see for herself he’d said no as it was too dangerous.
Dangerous, or was he lying? Maybe he had someone else there? Maybe he had women all over the place the way her mother’s raised eyebrow and knowing nod suggested?
No. He loved her. She’d seen it in his eyes, felt it when they were together. She’d had other boyfriends and she knew the difference. She thought she knew him. When he’d told her what he was she hadn’t freaked out. It had been fascinating, and she’d wanted to know more about the otherworld. The idea that there was someplace other than here…
When he came back they’d talk about his disappearances, work out a way of communicating between Annwyn and Chicago. Work out what they were going to do in detail.
She went downstairs and made herself breakfast that she didn’t feel like eating. The nausea wasn’t too bad, but her stomach was still feeling weird. Had she told Felan too early and jinxed it? She didn’t want to miscarry. There was no one she could confide in, and no one to turn to for help.
Please hurry up and come back to me. I need you, Felan. She glanced out the window, looking for one of the small blue wrens that usually signaled his arrival.
Another stab of pain caught her off guard and she dropped the cereal bowl. Milk splashed up her leg and over the floor. The two halves of the bowl spun away scattering flakes of cereal in their wake. Jacqui gripped her stomach and tried to breath. That was more than a cramp. Her brother looked up from the comic that he was reading at the table. Her father hated comics and hated reading at the table.
“Dumb ass,” her brother sneered.
She was about to snap back at him but the room tilted as her stomach twisted and then everything went black.
Waking up wasn’t easy. Jacqui’s stomach hurt and nausea was crawling through her body. Something wasn’t right. She wasn’t at home. The air smelled wrong and stuck to the back of her throat. Confusion and panic made her move when all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep. She blinked a few times and pushed herself up to sitting. A quick glance around the room revealed she was in hospital. A dark shadow like the grim reaper passed the door and a chill ran down her spine. What was going on? Why was she here?
The baby.
Her hand touched her stomach, but instead of smooth skin there was a bandage.
Oh God. What had happened?
Her mother pushed open the door and walked a couple of steps before she seemed to register her daughter was awake. Jacqui waited, not sure what to say, or ask. She knew the answer. The baby was gone. She wasn’t going to cry. Not yet, and certainly not in front of her mother.
“Did you know you were pregnant?” There were no pleasantries or asking how she was. Her mother’s voice was as cool as always.
Jacqui nodded, unable to find her voice.
“When exactly were you going to say something? Or were you hoping to keep it a secret until it was too late? Is that intermittent boyfriend of yours the father?”
“He’s away on business,” Jacqui said through gritted teeth. She would not give her mother the satisfaction of breaking down or backing down.
“Well it doesn’t matter now, it’s gone, so you can get on with your studies and get rid of him.” Her mother gave her a pointed look that meant she wouldn’t take any argument.
It’s gone. The baby was gone. Her baby, not an it. Tears threatened to well and spill. She inhaled and exhaled. There would be time for tears later. She lifted her gaze to meet her mother’s.
“What happened?” She needed to know. Had she fainted and fallen, over thus killing the baby? Was it because the child was part fairy? What had she done wrong?
“It was ectopic. Your tube ruptured and you lost a lot of blood. The doctor said if you’d seen someone sooner that they would have been able to save it.”
“They could’ve saved the baby?” Why hadn’t she gone to see a doctor and gotten a scan?
“The fallopian tube, not the fetus.” Her mother shook her head and gave her a cold glare. “Think of it as a blessing and move on with your life. You couldn’t have looked after a baby. You’re nineteen and have your whole life in front of you. Was it him who convinced you to keep it?”
“He has a name. Felan. And no.”
“You’re smarter than this. He’s not even here. He’s using you.”
How was she going to tell him? Her throat closed as she remembered his happiness at the unexpected pregnancy. She’d been so afraid of telling him, but telling him the baby was gone would be much worse.
She lay down and curled up. “Go away.”
She held the tears back until she heard the door close, then they poured out of her until the sheets were wet and she could hardly breathe.
The tears eventually stopped and she went home, but everything was wrong. Going to class was a struggle. She couldn’t focus on anything, and getting out of bed each day became harder. Her parents acted as if nothing had happened and the baby had never existed. But that wasn’t the worst thing.
She’d started seeing things. Ugly things. Monsters of all shapes and sizes that followed her once they’d realized she’d seen them. A thin gaunt woman that looked like the corpse of a princess who had died hundreds of years ago. Ugly little imps that crawled over her desk and knocked her books to the floor in the library. They never left her alone. They had come to torment her for losing the baby, for losing a fairy child. The guilt ate at her until all she wanted to do was stay in bed and hide from the world and the creatures that stalked her. She was sure she was being punished.
The psychiatrist and the drugs didn’t make them go away, but they took away the hole that had been growing in her chest. After four weeks she knew Felan wasn’t coming back. He’d gotten her pregnant and had left her. Her mother was right. She’d been suckered in by his pretty face and had believed his lies about who he was.
Fairies weren’t real.
She had to say that, had to believe it as she’d heard her parents talking about sending her away for a while to recover from her break down. She hadn’t broken down, the world had changed. Somehow. Her heart had been broken and now she saw monsters that no one else did.
It was his fault. He’d done this to her and left her broken.
There was always some problem in Annwyn that required his attention. A deal that needed to be made or finished, a breach in the veil that needed repairing, or the careful negotiations with those who would support his claim to the throne. Felan knew he had enemies at Court, but he still didn’t know who—his mother didn’t count as she played everyone to make sure she got what she wanted. He sat in the Hall of Mirrors and watched everyone while pretending to watch no one. He rolled the dice and acted like the only care he had was winning the game, but his thoughts were firmly in Chicago with Jacqueline.
This time he wasn’t telling a single fairy that he was expecting his second child in half a century. This time he would take the throne and stop the decay of Annwyn. Right now his future Queen was safe across the veil in the mortal world. No one
knew who she was and that was the way he liked it. It was safer.
He’d got it right this time. She loved him for who he was, not what he could offer. His heart would never be scarred like his father’s; his Queen would never be corrupted by power. Jacqui and he would usher in a new age of Annwyn, one where the current corruption was ended.
Until then he had to endure these absences from her and deal with the games he hated even as he excelled at them. He couldn’t shake the nagging doubt that somehow, someone was setting him up. Someone was deliberately making trouble to keep him in Annwyn, as if they could stop him from finding a Queen and taking the throne. Until he could find out who moved against him, he was stuck here. He knew Jacqui wanted to tell her parents—though he had no idea how to explain that she’d be living in another world, virtually immortal while he became King and judged souls.
Why didn’t he just run away and live in the mortal world, free from all of this?
He looked around Court, at the dazzling colors and the beautiful fairies. But beneath the glamour and laughter they were like wolves waiting to tear out each other’s heart in the hope of advancing. All of them would trade love for power in a heartbeat. That was something his mother had encouraged, and the Court had fallen for.
Well played, Mother. If she couldn’t be happy, no one could be happy.
He wanted to fix Annwyn.
For that he needed Jacqui.
Sod it. He’d go back to the mortal world and see her for a night. Not long would pass in Annwyn while he was away. And yet he hesitated. His absence would be noticed. His enemies would try to follow, and the last thing he wanted was to draw them to Jacqueline’s door. It was those fears that had kept him here instead of going to her sooner. How long had passed in the mortal world? At least a week, maybe more. It was hard to tell. He’d only been able to safely go to look in the mirror and check on her once—he didn’t want anyone to glimpse who he was watching as even that could be used against him.