Lord of the Hunt

by Shona Husk

  She glanced at the castle and then at him, a frown pinching her eyebrows and tightening her lips. “Will you swear this stays between us?”

  He’d promised the King to find out why she was here. How could he keep that promise while keeping this to himself?

  “Why ask if you think I’ll tell the King?”

  She closed her eyes for a moment, obviously torn. Then she opened them. “I need to ask a favor of the King.”

  Well, that answered why she was at Court. “I think most people suspected you want something from either me, the Prince, or the King.” And he was glad it wasn’t him. No doubt she’d only accepted his offer of a tour because she thought he could help. The illusion that she had been interested in him, not what he could offer, had been nice while it lasted. “What is your question?”

  “What is the best way to go about it?”

  His eyes widened for a moment. He hadn’t expected that. He’d expected her to ask how he could help her, or even see if he would get whatever she wanted from the King—that’s what other’s would have asked of him. “I’m not sure what answer to give since I don’t know what the favor is.”

  “That wasn’t part of the deal.”

  He almost smiled. She was learning. She’d need to if she were going to survive more than a day at Court. Even as he thought it, he knew he’d do his best to protect her. No one had helped him and he’d watched others stand or fail over the years. It was a cruelty that she didn’t deserve. She knew very little about Annwyn and less about Court. At least he’d known what he was getting into. “I would proceed with caution. He has invited you to his table tonight—”

  “His table? When were you going to tell me?” She almost jumped with excitement.

  “Is that the question you want me to answer?” That grounded her. She had no idea what being at the King’s table meant or the scrutiny that would follow.

  “No.”

  “Dinner is a start. Be entertaining, witty, and charming. Be on his good side and do not press. He is…he is fair and just, but he has recently been wounded by the Queen.” And he wasn’t granting any favors at the moment. Taryn sighed and looked at the ground as though he’d just stabbed her only chance through the heart and left it for dead. “I’m not saying don’t ask, only choose your moment carefully. Is it not something that someone else can grant…say, the Prince?”

  But he already suspected what it was she wanted. He hoped, for her sake, he was wrong.

  She shook her head. “Only the King can help me.” She lifted her chin and looked at him. “Your turn.”

  He looked at her for a moment. There were a hundred things he’d like to ask her, yet only one he needed to know as Hunter. “Whom does your father serve in the mortal world?”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it, frowning.

  “You must answer. Otherwise you will become known as a deal breaker and none will trust your word. In Annwyn your word is all you have.”

  “A changeling. Why?”

  Verden gave a casual shrug. He wanted to know which changeling. “I need to make sure that no one plots against the King,” he answered without hesitation. That included Felan. Which put Verden in an awkward position of serving a dying King and yet wanting a smooth transition of power from father to son. He didn’t want the Queen’s plots to succeed. That she didn’t want her son on the throne was enough of a warning for Verden.

  “My father is in exile. The only thing he is plotting is his potential funeral if I don’t get a pardon.”

  “Ah. That is the favor you need from the King.” Damn it to the river. The King hadn’t granted any pardons in a long time. “You should be careful whom you tell these things to. Information like that is valuable.”

  She winced. “Will you tell?”

  “I’m sworn to serve the King. However, I see no issue in letting you run this game, as harming him will not help your purpose.”

  “Thank you.” And she rewarded him with a smile that sent a shimmer of lust through his blood. She wasn’t just walking with him because of what he could do for her. Her lips and eyes held the hint of interest that most masked for fear of exposing their true intentions. He should tell her to school her expression to one of indifference, but he couldn’t.

  If they weren’t standing so close to the castle with a few pretending not to watch, he might have been tempted to kiss her. When was the last time he had kissed someone without it being more than simple desire? Too long ago was the only answer he had.

  “Come, let me show you around the castle so you don’t get lost.” If he kept himself busy, he wouldn’t be thinking about ways to get into trouble. And lust in Annwyn was a sure way to get caught up in deals that would end badly. He was the Hunter, and she wanted a favor from the King.

  He stayed silent as they walked past other fairies. He nodded at a couple. Some of them looked at her and then Verden, but he ignored their curious gazes while she tried to copy his behavior and not let her curiosity show. He led her into a vast hall that glittered as though a thousand stars were trapped amongst the trees. She gasped and stared up. He tried to remember the first time he’d seen the chamber, the wonder and the beauty of a room filled with hundreds of mirrors. Some hung from branches; others were embedded in the bark.

  “This is the Hall of Mirrors. The gaming tables here are high stakes, so I don’t recommend you come here unless you have a lot you can risk.”

  “Then why show me?”

  “So you know the danger. But also the reason for the mirrors.” He walked over and selected one to place in her hand. His fingers lingered for a moment longer than necessary. “Look closely.”

  “My house,” she whispered. “How did you know?”

  “I didn’t. You selected where to see across the veil. Perhaps next time you will see your parents.”

  She touched the surface of the mirror, her mouth turning down, and she looked as sad as she had when he’d found her hiding in the alcove. That hadn’t been his intention.

  “I thought you’d be happy to see them.”

  “I do want to see them, but I’m not allowed to leave Annwyn.” Her gaze darted to the corner where the Prince was sitting and talking to the blond woman he favored.

  “Everyone is free to come and go.” Unless…Taryn’s father had once been friends with Felan. In that moment, he knew exactly which changeling her family served and who had invited her to Court and who had forbidden her to leave. The Prince was far smarter than most gave him credit for and few knew his best-kept secret: He had a changeling son. “Though why would you want to leave when you have only just arrived?”

  “You belong here; you don’t understand homesickness.” She let the mirror drop. It twirled on its chain, sparkling in the light.

  He didn’t know quite how to answer that. He wasn’t used to being spoken to like that, as if…as if they were on equal ground. “I haven’t always lived at Court.” Then he softened his voice and took her arm, not wanting to linger where people could overhear. “I know what it’s like to long for home. But longing doesn’t get you very far, and it won’t get you what you want.” He wanted Taryn. He wanted to slide his fingers into her hair and kiss her lips. He’d have to be smarter than that. He didn’t want anyone else at Court noticing that he had more than a passing interest in Taryn. The last thing he needed was someone gaining leverage over him. “There are other ways out of Annwyn than the main doorway.”

  Deliberately breaking one of the Prince’s orders was not smart, but it would be fun, and there was nothing Felan could do. It wasn’t as though taking Taryn across the veil was a threat to Annwyn security. Why Felan had told her she couldn’t leave he didn’t know, but he’d find out, and he was sure it was all tied to the pardon.

  Felan wanted Chalmer and Arlea back. Which meant Felan was preparing to take the throne. That was where Verden would place his coin if he were betting on the outcome.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Exactly that.” And that was the se
cond favor he’d offered and the second one she’d eyed very cautiously. She didn’t trust him. That hurt. Most were wary of him and the power he wielded, but he didn’t want Taryn looking at him and seeing only the Hunter. Perhaps taking her across the veil would be a good thing. Away from Court with her, he could be Verden, not the Hunter. The only time he was usually away from Court was when he was working, upholding the King’s law in the mortal world. Just because fairies lived across the veil didn’t mean they were exempt from Annwyn’s rules.

  He led her down a hallway, past shadow servants picking up fallen petals as if they could disguise what was happening by hiding the evidence of the failing magic.

  “The Hall of Judgment is down here?”

  “Yes, and so is the Hall of Flowers, the main hall. The tables here are where most play. It is also where dinner will be held.” He showed her in to the chamber. Fairies were sitting at the tables. Some played cards, others dice. Some were just talking, jugs of wine and plates of food at their sides. “If you are hungry, you just need to ask a shadow servant for food and drink and they will fetch it for you.” He beckoned a shadow over, a dark figure without features or voice. Some were human souls serving penance and hoping to avoid being thrown in the river of damned souls; others were fairies paying a penalty.

  Verden gave it instructions and it drifted away. “The raised table in the center is the King’s. Only his Council and guests get to join him.”

  “Is that where you sit?”

  He looked at her, a faint smile curving his lips. “That is where I sit every night, but your attention will surely be on the King.” Those words should have been easy to say, but they weren’t. He’d advised her to be witty and charming and to keep the King’s attention, but that would mean she wouldn’t be talking to him. When she smiled, it wouldn’t be for him. Would the King really give her that pardon or would she be performing for no reason? He’d seen the look in the King’s eye, the interest.

  She nodded slowly, as if grasping what he wasn’t saying. If she was too friendly with him it would hurt her chances. Perhaps the King would do this last act of kindness in part for his son as well as Taryn, but it was unlikely. Arlea’s departure had caused great upset.

  “Come on. There are a few other places you should see.”

  “But the food?”

  “Will find us.”

  They crossed the hall. On one side there was a balcony that overlooked the tables. Some people stood up there, watching the goings-on.

  Verden glanced up. “Guest chambers, which are getting full with the recent returns from across the veil. Down this hall are the Queen’s chambers. I would advise staying away.”

  “You say that like you don’t think I’ll be able to avoid her.”

  “You are a new female at Court; she will want to find out more.”

  “Doesn’t everyone?”

  This time he grinned. “So true. People will want to know where you fit, who your allies are.”

  “Are you my ally?”

  He stopped walking. He wanted to be more than her ally, but that was impossible at Court. He should put her out of his mind, let her chase the pardon and obey Felan. And yet the idea of running his own game again, behind the back of Felan, was tempting. It had been a long time since he’d allowed himself to do anything except what was required. He was as loyal to Gwyn as the hounds were to him. What harm could one trip across the veil do? “I could be if you trust me.”

  A shadow approached holding a glass goblet and a plate of fruit.

  “Here you go, enjoy.” He gave her a bow and turned to leave before he offered her more than he could afford.

  “Wait.” She paused for the shadow to drift away. “Are you able to take me out of Annwyn?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  He should lie and tell her to obey, but across the veil she would be alone with him and no one would be watching. “Yes.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he placed a finger on her lips. “Another time…and of course, you’d have to trust that I won’t tell the Prince.”

  Perhaps he was no better than the rest, wanting to test her alliances and seeing where her interest fell. But he hadn’t imagined the warmth in her eyes or the glint of attraction when she thought he wasn’t looking. For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to dinner.

  ***

  Verden made his way back to the Hall of Mirrors, hoping that the Prince was still there. He was and he was now alone, studying a mirror. Verden took a nearby seat and waited. Eventually the Prince let the mirror go and turned around.

  “Are you seeking a game or me?” There was no warmth in his eyes.

  Verden smiled his best courtier’s smile that meant nothing and yet implied whatever the viewer wanted. “Both.”

  Felan gave a single nod and sat down, sweeping his deep-red, ankle-length waistcoat out of the way as he did. He was dressing more and more like the Prince should. Just how close was he to taking control of Annwyn? Not close enough to have announced an heir and wedding. Perhaps close enough to be choosing a wife and thus the attraction of the Hall of Mirrors. Without a mortal woman willing to give up her soul, Felan couldn’t take the throne.

  “How would you like to lose today?” Felan pulled out the drawer and looked over the games stored there.

  “Dice. I feel like testing my luck and not my strategy.”

  Felan withdrew two thirteen-sided dice and placed them on the table. Verden picked them up and rolled them a few times to see if they were weighted. They rolled true, but it always paid to check the cards and dice before agreeing to play any game. Fortunes and ranks were made and lost by the roll of the dice or a hand of cards. He knew that from experience.

  “My father sent you to inquire about what I am up to?” He made a couple rolls and nodded, satisfied with the dice.

  “Not in as many words.” When dealing with the Prince, Verden had learned that honesty went a long way.

  Felan met Verden’s gaze. “You still his loyal dog?”

  “I swore to serve him. Would you rather a loyal man on the wrong side or a liar on your side?” Anyone who’d sworn to the King and was now swearing to Felan wasn’t worth the weight of his promise.

  “Then what are playing for if you aren’t here to vow support? Or am I to gain your loyalty if I win?” Felan smiled.

  “I would never gamble what I can’t give freely. But know I wouldn’t act against you unless you act directly against the King.” In his heart, he hoped Gwyn would step aside when asked and there would be no battle. No one, fairy or mortal, would win if Annwyn went to war. “How about we play for answers, one question answered truthfully to the winner.”

  “Very well.” Felan rolled the dice onto the table. They fell within the inlaid circle, one in the quarter marked as spring, the other in autumn—cusp seasons and the most dangerous at Court.

  Best of thirteen rolls, the number and the seasons all coming into play.

  Verden scooped up the dice and took his turn. They rolled in winter. Double thirteen, a good score but an ill omen given the recent events at Court. “A good thing we aren’t reading fortunes.”

  “Only a fool uses dice to predict the future. Cards are much more reliable.” The Prince’s lips curved, but both men knew that many fairies tried to predict their fortunes and favors using dice and cards.

  The next roll fell outside the circle, a wasted turn. The Crown Prince of Annwyn was throwing the game. He had to be. A skilled player could almost direct the dice to fall in the required season. Verden glanced up, but Felan’s face was unreadable.

  “Your father wishes to speak with you.” Verden risked speaking his mind.

  “I know what my father wishes to discuss and I have nothing to say.”

  A leaf fell next to the table and a shadow servant picked it up, but both men glanced at it. While some pretended the problem didn’t exist, it wouldn’t be long until Castle Annwyn had no leaves left to form a roof. Verden looked at the Prince.
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br />   Felan pressed his lips together and took his turn with the dice. When he spoke, it was quietly and firmly. “It is not as easy as people seem to think. In the mortal world, a King would age and sicken. My father is the same man he was when I was a child centuries ago. I know what I need to do, but my heart isn’t in it.”

  “The longer you wait, the worse it will be for everyone.”

  “I know. Annwyn’s boundaries are fraying and bleeding into the mortal world. Have you unraveled my mother’s game?” Gwyn might step aside, but Eyra wouldn’t. If Felan moved against the Queen, Verden would back him. However, Annwyn needed a King and Queen.

  “I wish I had. I would give you that freely.” If he were trying to win Felan’s favor, he’d also inform the Prince of Taryn’s desire to leave Annwyn, but that was their secret—one he was enjoying contemplating even if he hadn’t decided if he was going to act on it. The light in her eyes when he’d suggested it was enough to still warm his blood.

  Felan nodded. “I would make the same offer. I am reluctant to bring a woman here knowing that my mother will attempt to kill her. You can tell my father that.”

  And he would, but father and son should speak; it would uncomplicate things. “You could tell him yourself.” Verden threw the dice for his last turn.

  Felan fixed him with a look and then shook his head. “You win. What is your question?”

  “The Lady Taryn, why did you bring her to Court?” Verden asked.

  “Ah, so you know it was me. Are you asking for yourself or my father?”

  “Does it matter when you said you’d answer truthfully?”

  Felan considered him for a moment. The Prince was shrewder than most realized. They believed him nothing but a pleasure-seeking layabout. Some were concerned he could even rule. Verden was sure he could; his games ran so deep most couldn’t see the bottom and the prize. He would be a King worthy of serving. If Verden hadn’t sworn to Gwyn, he’d be swearing to aid Felan to the throne.

  “I owed her father a favor, and since I can’t lift the exile, I invited Taryn instead. I’m sure he still harbors a grudge against Arlea.”