by Shona Husk
That was all she’d ever wanted. “Yes, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I know how large your father’s pride is. I think that’s why he was your friend.” Gwyn glanced at Felan.
Felan nodded. “However, I can’t let them return.”
“What?” Taryn stood then quickly sat back down when the King glared at her.
“I told you, your father serves me. If he returns to Annwyn, you must to take his place there when I am King. I need my son protected in the mortal world.”
She’d get to live in the mortal world again, this time as a Brownie for the changeling she already knew. It seemed too good to be true. “What’s the catch?”
Felan turned his palms up. “No catch.”
“And Verden?” If she had to take her parents’ place in the changeling’s house, how could she be with Verden?
Felan gave her a look that made her feel like she was ten paces behind the conversation. “I will make my deals with him in private.”
Chapter 22
It was dusk by the time Verden had walked down to the lake. He’d been led there by the wild fae. Not that he could say he’d seen them, but he’d felt them around him, seen the light of a will-o-wisp flitting in the trees, and with nothing better to do, he’d followed.
The two bows and the quiver of remaining arrows were slung over his shoulder. Even if he had inspected the weapons, he’d have never realized they were poisoned. There was nothing to see, nothing to smell—no taint at all if they’d been dipped in nothing more harmful than water. Which is exactly what the Queen must have arranged. Since she couldn’t fabricate a charge to have Taryn thrown in the river, she’d brought the river to Taryn.
Clever.
Not that it helped him now. By now the Court would know he was banished. Had Felan kept his word and made sure Taryn was well? Or had the river’s poison claimed her? The thought hurt as if he were the one being slowly poisoned. He wasn’t being poisoned, but he was cut off from the magic that sustained all fairies. Him. Banished. Not something he’d ever considered. But then he’d never expected to fall in love either.
Moonlight shimmered off the lake. Small ripples formed in the breeze, and yet even here, death waited. The wild fae that had guided him here drew away from the water lapping at the shore. Even in the dark he saw why. The edge of the lake was littered with dead fish and deer. How long until every body of water was tainted?
He turned away, not sure where he was going.
“I can’t do anything.” His voice echoed in the night. Did Gwyn know what he was doing anymore? Did he care about the damage?
Wild fae hovered at the edges, as if pleading with him to do something, anything. They wouldn’t take human form and talk to him unless they had to. He wished they would, so he’d have someone to talk to. While he craved the peace, spending forever here waiting for Taryn to step through the doorway would send him mad.
There really was nothing he could do.
He was no longer part of the Court.
Isn’t this what he’d wanted? The freedom to do what he pleased. Yet he wasn’t truly free. He’d been given a finite amount of time before he withered and died, and all he wanted to do with his remaining time was be with Taryn and that was impossible. That didn’t stop him from climbing back up the hill, following the deer tracks to where the standing stones inscribed with symbols he couldn’t read waited.
If he walked into the nearest town, he wouldn’t be able to read the signs. Every time he used magic to deceive someone it would shorten his life. He walked between the stones and felt nothing. There was no shimmer of magic announcing a doorway. He couldn’t even feel Annwyn. If he couldn’t feel it, he couldn’t break into it and go to Taryn.
He’d have to wait for her to come to him.
He placed the poisoned arrows and the bows down; he needed to find a way of making them safe or a way to destroy them. Then he sat with his back against a tree and closed his eyes. He felt the old magic around him—he always had when he came to old places—but he couldn’t touch it. It was different—life where Annwyn was death.
But he didn’t need magic to survive. He’d grown up on a farm. He knew how to find food. He could survive here for as long as it took. And if she never came back? Verden closed his eyes. He didn’t want to live. What was the point of living without love?
***
Taryn stood in the middle of Verden’s chamber. Whereas Felan’s room had been draped in silks and color, this room was simple. The bed was still large and sumptuous, but the colors were softer, as if he hadn’t wanted to drape the branches in colors that didn’t belong on trees. She drew aside the curtain and found his clothes all neatly hung; below were shoes, mostly boots. She smiled as she touched his cloak, then she lifted the fabric to her face and inhaled.
Like a forest at night. Her skin remembered his touch.
Behind her a hound whimpered. She could feel its distress at the sudden change in Hunter.
“Hey, boy.” She pulled the cloak down and draped it around herself. It was too long, the edge brushing the ground as she walked, but she didn’t care. Then she bent and gave the dog a scratch behind its red ears. Its tail thumped hopefully on the ground and he licked her palm. “We’ll get him back. I promise.”
A lump formed in her throat.
She stood and clicked her fingers. The hound followed, happy to have someone to be with. Beyond the door, the King was waiting, talking to another fairy on his Council. She gave him a firm nod. Together they walked to the doorway to go back to Charleston. People bowed and watched as they walked in much the same way they had when Verden and the King had passed by. While she was sure they whispered behind her back, they were no longer doing it as she walked past.
Gwyn paused by the trees that marked the doorway. “If your father won’t take the offer, there is nothing else I can do.”
“You could pardon him.”
“No. But I could banish him so he survives the power shift and then becomes Felan’s problem.”
She nodded. “Do you still plan to make me your mistress?”
“I never intended to take you to my bed. I wanted to see how far you were willing to go to save your father, that is all. You intrigued me because you acted out of love, not a quest for power. I enjoyed your company; you brought life to the Court.” He smiled. “I wasn’t the only one who noticed.”
“I never meant to cause you embarrassment.”
“You are young and unschooled. Verden is reckless. He was always a risk taker. It’s why he climbed so fast. I was envious of the chances he could take.” He looked at the doorway. “Let’s see if your father has learned his lesson.”
The air shimmered as she stepped through, and then she was in the cemetery opposite the big old plantation house. She almost dropped to her knees and kissed the footpath.
Tears welled but she blinked them back. She was home.
She glanced at the King, but he was leaning against a tombstone, arms crossed, waiting. The hound that had followed was sniffing around, then it looked up and over at the house, and she knew what the dog was thinking.
“Verden has been here.”
“He has.” Gwyn nodded. Several small blue birds landed around him, heralding the arrival of King of Annwyn in the mortal world. But the King didn’t make a move toward the house. “Chalmer will know I’m here.”
After a few more moments, the front door opened and her mom and dad slipped out and crossed the road. Taryn took a step forward but neither of them were looking at her; they had their eyes down and were moving toward the King as if she didn’t exist.
After everything she’d done for them—then she realized that they had to acknowledge the King first and not their daughter. They knew their lives were on the line.
“Thank you for attending me.” Gwyn lifted his hand and her parents looked up. They glanced at her. “Have your reunion.”
She threw her arms around her mother and then her father, both of them hugging
her.
“Thank you.” Her dad kissed her cheek.
“I’m so proud.” Arlea smoothed Taryn’s hair.
Taryn pulled back. “No, don’t thank me yet.” She’d had time to think about what to tell them and had decided that keeping it simple was best. There was no need to tell them about Verden or that she had agreed to take their place once Felan was King. If they knew, they might hesitate. “The King has agreed to let you return to Annwyn.” Not Court, that would be Felan’s decision. “If Dad will take his original sentence and be a shadow servant for a mortal year and a day.”
Arlea gasped and turned to the King. “How could you?”
“I might ask the same of you.” The King Taryn had first met was there, all ice and power, willing to crush those who wouldn’t obey.
“Settle, Love. I will do it.” Chalmer placed a hand on his wife’s arm.
“No, you shouldn’t have to. You’ve served your sentence many times over here.”
Gwyn shook his head. “No he hasn’t. He ran and took you with him.”
“And that’s what this is about, isn’t it?” Arlea raised an eyebrow and Taryn got a glimpse of the courtier her mother must have been when she’d been on the King’s Council, always willing to step up and question him.
“Sire, I accept the offer. Let this business be done.” Chalmer bowed.
Taryn released the breath she’d been holding. He’d taken the offer. She wanted to blurt out that it had all been part of a deal and that everything would be okay. But her mother got in first.
“No.” Arlea wrapped her arms around Chalmer.
Her father placed his hands over Arlea’s. “It’s a mortal year and a day, hardly any time in Annwyn.”
“Mom, it will be okay.” She glanced at the King desperate to say something.
Gwyn beckoned Chalmer forward and he obeyed. “You agreed to become a shadow, that was all I asked. Your actual service is not required. You have your pardon and are free to cross the veil, although I suggest staying away from Court until after the coronation.”
Her mother drew in a sharp breath. “Thank you, sire.” She lowered her gaze and tried to compose herself.
“Thank your daughter. She played well, right to the end.” The King smiled and Taryn let herself relax just a little. “At your earliest convenience.” Gwyn turned away from her parents.
“What of our duties here, sire?” Chalmer said.
Gwyn glanced over his shoulder. “I’m sure my son will have made alternative arrangements.”
Her mother turned to her and looked at the white hound. “I hope you know what you are doing.”
“I do.” And that was the truth. While she didn’t want to be a Court fairy scheming for the next advancement, she knew what she did want and how to go about getting it. If that meant playing by the Court’s rules, then so be it. Then she hugged her father and mother again, grateful that she had been raised in the mortal world and could choose how she wanted to live. Even though they may not agree. It was her choice, her life, and her deal.
“Thank you. I am grateful,” he whispered in her ear. “I don’t think your mother could have handled me being a shadow.”
Her mother’s one weakness was Chalmer. No doubt someone at Court had exploited that knowledge, the same way the Queen had used Verden’s attraction. “I have to go. The King is waiting.”
The King was standing by the gate of the cemetery, ready to cross the veil back to Annwyn. She’d done as asked. Secured the pardon. Her parents could return and they would be safe from the power shift.
As would Verden, but that didn’t stop her heart from aching.
***
Verden opened his eyes as someone crossed the veil from Annwyn. His heart stopped for a moment, then beat again as disappointment filled him. Felan walked toward him, his expression giving away nothing.
“Is she alive?” Verden got to his feet.
Felan nodded. “And the temporary Hunter. I’ve been given two weeks to get my act together and prevent war.”
Verden let himself breathe easily. She was alive. A smile formed. And she had his old job. No doubt that would upset a few plans.
“How can you smile?”
“Taryn is alive.” Verden shrugged. He couldn’t explain it, but it gave him hope that everything would be okay. He just had to last the next two weeks until Felan became King.
“You are still banished.”
He was, but now that he knew how long he had to wait it was manageable. “In two weeks you can change that.”
“You would swear to me?”
“If Gwyn were no longer King, I would.”
Felan nodded and he knew the Prince was plotting out a deal. “My son, Caspian, is going to need a guardian, someone I can trust to keep the Greys away while I take Annwyn.”
“I am a Grey.”
“Temporary. Keep him safe for the next two weeks and I will lift the banishment.”
Temporary. That hadn’t worked out very well for him last time when he and Taryn had tried a temporary breakup. Still he had no other options. “And after, I can return to Taryn?”
“She will not be remaining at Court. You will remain his guardian for the rest of his natural life.”
“Will he accept me?” The last time he’d seen Felan’s changeling son, he’d been hauling him to Court to face charges of making deals with banished fairies.
“I will ensure he does, but he is used to having a guardian.”
Verden looked at the Prince. “You haven’t offered me a chance to see Taryn.”
“That is not my choice to make. It is hers. You are a Grey and she is the Hunter.”
The two men looked at each other. Verden spoke first. “Are her parents returned to Annwyn?”
“I don’t know. This is about you. Do you accept my offer?”
Verden closed his eyes for a moment. He could be binding himself in ways he couldn’t see. What deals had Taryn made while he wasn’t around? He was blind. And yet, if he made this deal, it would be that last one he made. Mortals didn’t live forever, but being around the changeling would give him a chance to learn the ways of the world. All things Taryn took for granted. Things he’d never bothered with.
He opened his eyes. Felan was watching. “I accept.”
Chapter 23
Two hounds bounded through the gate. They ran toward him and leaped against his chest. Verden grinned and scratched them as they jumped over his legs and licked his hands. Then they began to whine. Their tails slowed as if they were confused. They sniffed him again, unable to work out what was wrong with their old master.
He was going to miss them. He tried to ignore the pain that lodged in his rib cage and made it hard to breathe. A flicker of movement caught his eye and he looked up. Taryn stood, watching him, her face unreadable.
The hounds ran back to her, sniffed around her legs, then sat at her feet. It was all he needed to see to confirm she was the new Hunter of Annwyn.
He stood and bowed, even though he wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her. Was she here on official business or had she come to see him? “Congratulations, Lady of the Hunt.”
“It’s temporary.”
“Isn’t everything at the moment?” Nothing was fixed and everyone was on edge.
She took a step toward him. “I thought some things would last longer.”
“So did I.” He looked her in the eye even though a Grey should show more respect to the Hunter. Did she no longer love him? “It wasn’t me who shot you. I want you to know that.”
Taryn nodded. “I know. I need to know why.”
“I couldn’t hurt you. I didn’t want to lose you, but I knew that if I’d won, we’d both end up in trouble. At least this way, only I suffer.” He glanced at the ground. “I’m sorry we’re even having this conversation.”
“I’m glad we are. I nearly died, and you could’ve ended up in the river. But I wouldn’t change a thing.” She smiled and took a step closer. His heart gave an ext
ra beat.
“Neither would I.” He took a couple steps, then gently put his arms around her. She was warm and alive and in his arms again. “I thought I’d lost you. I wanted to die when Felan took you away.” His words were interspersed with kisses that landed on her cheeks and hair and finally her lips.
She tasted sweet and heady, like he was drinking whiskey again. Her tongue traced his lips and darted against his, making his blood heat and his flesh harden. His hand slid beneath his cloak and down her back to cup her butt. She moved against him, tempting him, but broke the kiss.
“We don’t have long. I’m here to collect you and relocate you.” She whispered against his lips.
“Relocate me?” Greys sometimes got rounded up and relocated if they were causing problems. He’d done it a few times; usually they got to live out their days in an isolated part of Greenland or Africa depending on his mood or his orders.
“To Charleston.”
“You know about the deal.” One of the hounds looked at him as if blaming Verden for the current situation. He was to blame. If he’d behaved himself during the dance, he wouldn’t be getting relocated halfway across the globe to serve out his two-week sentence, before working for Felan. He hadn’t expected Felan to act so quickly, or for him to send Taryn to do the job…but then maybe it was Felan’s way of saying that they could be together and he was giving them some time.
“I know you are the changeling’s new guardian. You’ll like him.”
A better question was would the changeling like him after their first inauspicious meeting? Would he rub it in Verden’s face that he was now a Grey? But he kept his doubts to himself. He’d made the deal and now he had to live with it.
“Did you know that’s where my parents used to be Brownies?”
He blinked and looked down at her. Used to be. “You got the pardon? Well done.” He tried not to think about what she’d given up to get them home, even though the question was on the tip of his tongue.