The Darkling Lord: Court of the Banished book 1 (Annwyn Series 4) (21 page)

“I am pleased to meet you.” Darah inclined her head. This was feeling very informal. She hadn’t even realized that Felan had a changeling son—his birth on the wrong side of the veil discounted him from succession. Plus it was the birth of the heir that returned summer after winter. Or heirs in this case. “How is the Queen?”

“Well, but resting. She will attend the celebration tonight.” Felan took her by the arm and led her away from the others. “You have news for me?”

“Not a lot. Henry’s Greys continue to work in his name, but I fear without him things will fall apart.”

“And that would be bad?”

“It would mean the Greys who were under his control would be free agents.” And they would go back to doing what they pleased which generally meant making trouble.

Felan nodded. “I like the idea of them being more strictly controlled across the veil.”

Her heart gave an extra beat but she refused to let hope gain a toehold.

“How do you find the mortal world?” He searched her face, wanting the whole truth. That was when she realized that the people in this chamber hadn’t been masking their expressions.

“It is interesting enough.” But she didn’t want to spend her whole life there. Annwyn was home, and yet it had been Henry she’d really wanted to see, not Felan even though that was her duty. She glanced at the King and knew immediately that wasn’t the answer he was looking for.

“Let me rephrase. If I were to release Henry, would you be willing to serve as both parole officer and messenger between both worlds?”

Was he taking away her place on the Council already? What kind of place would she have if she was always flitting between both worlds?

How would Henry feel if she were to continue spying on him? She didn’t want that blade always between them. Could she put that into words?

“I don’t know that I would be the best person for that job.” She hated saying that. She was barely on the Council and she was turning down a job. Maybe she shouldn’t be on the Council. If she wasn’t, she’d be free to do what she wanted. She could be with Henry.

“And why is that?” Felan raised one dark eyebrow.

“Spying on my lover feels wrong.” Was Henry even her lover anymore? She hadn’t been able to sleep with him at the end because of what she was doing. She wanted him back, or at least a chance to see what would happen without the fairy games and politics.

Felan looked at her and for a moment and she thought she’d said the wrong thing and she should’ve just shut up and taken the job. But she didn’t want Henry to be part of a job. She didn’t want Court ruling her life anymore. The dream she’d been chasing for so many years was empty.

She swallowed as the words formed on her tongue. Then she looked her King in the eye and gave him the truth he most certainly didn’t want to hear. “I’m not sure I should be on the Council.”

For a moment she expected all conversation around them to stop, but life continued. She took a breath and realized that she was free. Really free as she was no longer beholden to the Court, assuming Felan let her go. Surely he wouldn’t force her sit on the Council?

“Enjoy the party, Darah. We’ll talk later.” He smiled and walked away to talk to another group of fairies.

That was a dismissal, not an acceptance of her resignation. She sighed. For the moment all she could do was wait. She was tired of waiting and living her life in limbo. She may not be a shadow servant anymore but in some ways not much had changed. She still had to obey and she still wasn’t free.

She made her way through the castle. Preparations were being made in the Hall of Flowers, it was a large chamber that was always used for celebrations and could be viewed from above as a staircase spiraled up and around the outside. Many of the guest chambers upstairs would already be in use.

Again her gaze was drawn up even though now she couldn’t see anything through the thick layer of leaves. Every so often a new flower would bloom. Summer had arrived in a burst but the after effects were still trickling through.

As she walked past the other great chamber, the Hall of Mirrors, she paused. She didn’t want to gamble and she wasn’t really in the mood to socialize, but plenty of others were. Several tables were busy as fairies played with either dice or cards. At first glance it was almost as if winter had never happened. Looking closer she could see a few people risking a real smile. The tension that had filled the old Court was dissipating.

She should at least walk through and greet those that she knew. However she wouldn’t stop or get drawn into any games—once that was what she’d lived for. She’d have made deals and played games to gain advantage, not for enjoyment. Now it seemed like a waste of time when all she wanted to do go up to the cells to see Henry.

The mirrors spun and sparkled, offering a glimpse across the veil if the viewer chose to hold one and focus. But they also reflected what was going on around the room. An image in one caught her eye as the palm sized piece of mirror twisted on a breeze she didn’t feel.

Darah turned her head. Henry stood by a gaming table.

Her heart missed a beat as she watched him. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his shirt was untucked, but he didn’t look out of place or even too scruffy as dress standards were changing and mortal fashions and clothes were becoming more common instead of being sneered at.

He was intent on watching the card game, his gaze never leaving the table as the other fairies dealt. She could imagine him wanting to play, but knowing he couldn’t. It was never wise to play cards or dice with a fairy if you had a soul. And while the Court might be changing some things didn’t. Fairies loved tricking mortals out of their souls.

And Henry was a rare thing.

He was also free. Felan hadn’t told her that, nor had he claimed to still have Henry locked up. She took a step toward him and he glanced up. His lips curved in a smile. While he might be almost as pretty as any fairy, he didn’t belong here.

Henry left the game he’d been watching and walked toward her. She met him halfway. People noticed. A slight turn of their head even as they pretended not to watch. She didn’t care. If Felan was letting Henry walk around the castle, things weren’t as dire as they could be. If people were willing to risk a smile…

She touched his hand, not sure how things stood between him. He’d all but admitted he was falling for her and she hadn’t been able to say the same, even if it was true.

Henry looked at her for a moment, long enough that she began to doubt if there was anything still there. Then he took her hand. His fingers cool against her skin. She let herself be drawn into his embrace.

His arms were strong around her. Instead of resisting she relaxed and leaned into him. As she did the tension eased from him. He’d been expecting her to pull away but had tried any way. He had no fear of losing. What had he called it, living?

There would be talk, gossip would race around the Court as before, but she didn’t intend on living here for it to matter. The old jostling for power was over and who she loved couldn’t be used against her, because she no longer cared about rising to power.

The feeling of liberation returned, setting her heart free.

Darah tilted her head and kissed him. His lips brushed against hers for a moment. Then they walked out of the Hall of Flowers hand in hand.

She was itching to know what Felan had said to Henry. There might be a clue how things would play out given his offer to her, but she waited until they were in her room away from the ever open ears and eyes of Court. She didn’t want everyone to know their business. Most wouldn’t know why Henry was here, only that there was a darkling at Court—which had no doubt raised plenty of questions and rattled a few cages.

Right now plenty of people were probably assuming that he was here because of her, which was partially correct. “How did it go?”

He shrugged. “I’m enjoying Annwyn.”

“Are you?” She rummaged through her bag. Inside along with the gifts was a dress for her to wear to the celebration. She knew that none of her old clothes were suitable. Wearing the clothes of the old Court to celebrate the birth of the new wasn’t right. She’d also brought a change of clothes for Henry.

“I wasn’t. But I was hoping you’d be back for the party.” He kissed her again with more hunger this time. “How did you live here?”

“I didn’t know any different. The Court was different under the old King and Queen.” And not different better, but she didn’t want to go into that or her role as one of Eyra’s ladies. Looking back she hardly recognized who she was. “Would it be terrible if he made you live here?”

The look on Henry’s face was all the answer she needed. “I don’t want to live here. My life is across the veil.” He pulled away. “I want to go home. This isn’t real.”

“It is real.” Annwyn was no less real than the mortal world. “It’s just different.”

He shook his head. “I can see that you belong here. You got your place on the Council and I’m happy for you. But I’m not fairy. We both knew that from the start and you knew that I was being investigated. I’m a criminal in the eyes of Annwyn.”

She felt sick. Like she’d been hit in the stomach. She’d risked everything thinking that she’d fallen in love with him and he her. Not that she’d ever been in love before, but being with Henry felt different. Her heart gave a patter of excitement when she saw him. She’d been worried about him. And when he touched her she craved more.

“And your talk of gambling with your heart?” Had that all been pretty lies to get her to keep an eye on his business in Detroit?

“I meant every word. But sometimes you have to be prepared to lose. I’m glad I played regardless of the outcome.” He reached out to touch her cheek, but she turned away. When he smiled this time he still looked sad. “Can we enjoy the party and what is left before I learn my fate and we part ways?”

She nodded unable to speak. He didn’t really want her. Like any fairy he was just playing the hand he’d been dealt and she’d been his ace. She wished she could take back her conversation with Felan. At least being on the Council she’d have something. Now she’d have nothing.

F
airies knew how to party
. Henry drank the wine, and didn’t get the slightest bit tipsy and he ate the food. If he was stuck here, he might as well enjoy it. And while Darah had danced with him there was a distance that hadn’t been there before, or ever. Even at first she’d faked more affection than she was currently displaying.

He knew he’d wounded her. That she’d wanted more from him, but he couldn’t give her that. Once again he found he had nothing to give anyone. He wasn’t even sure how long his life would be after this party, and if he did get to live what kind of life that would be?

Darah’s idea of living here permanently chilled him. While it was interesting, it was also quite alien. The fairies watched him with curiosity and contempt. Something that neither changeling was afforded. They were both treated with respect—although the dark haired one was the King’s son, so people were hardly going to be rude to him.

The other man had surrendered his soul to live here. Isaac must be all kinds of crazy to do that, and yet in conversation he seemed quite sane and quite happy.

Henry watched Darah dance with someone else. Her dark hair was swept up, exposing her graceful neck and the shimmering gold dress she wore clung to every curve. He hadn’t wanted to let her go. Once she left his side he knew he’d never be able to get her back. While he might have crawled his way out the gutter he was born in, he had not climbed high enough to keep the likes of Darah. She was a glittering Goddess who would still be alive centuries after he had turned to dust.

She showed the man she was dancing with the same reserve that she’d shown him. That pleased him until he realized that was probably her true nature. When he looked around the decorated hall he saw that most of the fairies were standoffish at best. They all wore that mask. A few let a smile break through, but it didn’t seem natural.

Darah had finally let her guard down and let him in and he’d rewarded her trust with a stab to the heart. He sipped his wine and tried to convince himself it was for the best. They belonged in two different worlds. He could see that very clearly now.

Now that he’d seen her world he didn’t know how she’d managed to live in his. But the memories of her working in the garden and lying in his bed were something he’d treasure. It wasn’t often he let people get that close to him. And it was even less often that he got to enjoy being with someone without fearing that he’d be their killer.

D
arah found
herself taking Felan’s offered hand. She couldn’t refuse the King a dance at his own celebration. While he’d spent most of the night at his wife’s side he had made several notable exceptions. That he was favoring her after she turned down the job meant something…probably that he wasn’t going to let her off the hook that easily.

She pasted on the expected smile even though she felt wretched. Somehow she’d screwed things up with Henry. It was much easier to have relationships with people that she didn’t care about. There were no messy feelings, and no mistakes as the goals of the relationship were clear. That was how it had started with Henry. But there was no way to take away what had been said and felt and go back to purely business.

“Enjoying yourself, Lady Darah?” Felan looked as though he knew full well that she wasn’t.

“It is a lovely party and congratulations again.” She’d already said all of this when she’d presented her gifts. Clothes for the babies and chocolate for the Queen. Her eyes had lit up and her smile had been genuine—something still very rare in Annwyn.

“I thought you would’ve been escorting the darkling.”

“I have, but his thoughts are elsewhere.” She had no idea where. He wanted her, but then pushed her away. Her feet moved through the dance without thought. Felan’s distance was perfect, his attention just so, yet his smile wasn’t fixed. When she looked at him he really did seem happy.

The people around them were also beginning to relax—a little. It would take time for old habits of wariness to fade. Her gaze sought out Henry. He was feasting and talking as though nothing were amiss. Her heart was empty. Had it been like that before? Maybe she’d never noticed because she hadn’t known what it was to feel full.

“And so are yours.”

Her attention snapped back to the King. She was obviously out of practice. Too much time as a shadow servant and then too much time across the veil. However she could turn this to her advantage…maybe.

“I spoke rashly earlier.” She couldn’t very well say that she’d found something she wanted more than being on his Council.

“You had other games in play.” He seemed almost amused. Was he going to make her grovel?

“I found myself torn between duty and love, but it turns out there is only one path to follow as the other was an illusion.” Would he think her a fool?

“I agree there is only one path to follow. I want you to remain on my Council.” He moved easily following the steps of the dance even though he was obviously thinking strategy.

“You honor me.” She inclined her head, glad that she hadn’t lost everything. It only felt that way.

“On one condition.” He looked at her, waiting for her response.

There was always a catch. Her heart sank, but she didn’t dare refuse.

“And what’s that condition?” She tried to make her voice light, but wasn’t sure she was successful.

“You will find out tomorrow when Henry is sentenced.”

Damn it. Felan was still going to punish Henry. She wanted to argue, but bit her tongue. There was nothing else she could do for Henry. He was on his own. When the dance ended, they both bowed.

As Felan brushed past he whispered in her ear. “It isn’t duty that’s the right path.”

Then he was swallowed up by the crowd. He knew she’d fallen for Henry. The bad feeling spread. It was too late to distance herself from Henry, whatever happened she was now implicated.

Felan had outplayed everyone to claim the throne. He was far smarter than many had given him credit for. As an ally he was dangerous, but as an enemy he could be deadly. While so far he had been true to his word about having a more lenient Court, at some point he’d have to flex the power he had to prove he was willing to go to the river if need be.

She had no idea what his strategy was or what he could be planning. That made her nervous. He’d always treated her as an ally, but that could change fast.

Her gaze found Henry talking to Caspian.

There was no point in running to his side to warn him. He knew his fate was approaching. He might as well enjoy tonight. Which is exactly what she should do.

But no fairy man caught her eye the way Henry did. They were too polished, and she knew exactly what to expect from them in bed—a perfect performance that they would both enjoy. She didn’t have it in her to find someone suitable for an interlude. There was definitely something wrong with her when she was at Court and all she wanted was the darkling.

Perhaps there was a way to take what they had back to basics.

She moved through the dancers, politely refusing those who wanted her join in. Henry broke away from his conversation as if he knew that she was coming for him.

“You have the King’s ear?” He got straight to the point.

“Hardly.” Did Henry realize he was talking to Felan’s mortal son? Probably. Henry was no innocent at risk from the wiles of Court. Had his conversation been friendly or strategic? She still saw plots in every action. “Your wait will be over tomorrow. However, I have one last proposition for you.”

He lifted his eyebrows. “And what would that be?”

“You need somewhere to sleep tonight and I am in want of some entertainment. A fair exchange.” Her heart was beating faster than it should be. It was just sex, which was exactly where they had started.

For the longest moment he was silent. “I’d like to accept.”

“Then accept.” Her hand landed on his arm. The light blue shirt was soft beneath her fingers. “Tomorrow we both move on. The King has something planned.”

“You have your place on the Council?”

She nodded, but didn’t mention the strings because she didn’t know what they were.

“Good. I’m happy for you.” But his face was grim.

“Are you really?” Where had his smile gone, the one that had lit up his eyes when he’d seen her in the Hall of Mirrors?

“I can be happy for you and sad for me at the same time.” He glanced away and took in the party. “I think I might spend my last night of freedom here. Instead of sleeping it away.”

“I never said you’d be sleeping.” She ran her hand up his chest.

He closed his eyes. “I know. But you are a temptation I have to learn to live without.” He opened his eyes, the heat was there, then lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “I am the frog and you are the princess. Not every frog turns into a prince.”