Lord of the Hunt (3 page)

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 to 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.”

If he wanted to know that, he’d have to work for it. She gave a casual shrug. “How badly do you want to know?”

He laughed. Both the dogs looked up as if startled. Did he not laugh often? That was a pity because when he laughed, his eyes lit up, and he went from beautiful to gorgeous. “I advise you not to be so bold with others. But yes, I do want to know why you are here. That is my job.” The good humor was gone.

“I’m under no obligation to tell you.”

He nodded. “Am I to think the worst then?”

She stepped back. “You may think what you want, but I am here for personal reasons. I don’t want to get caught in Court games.”

“It’s too late for that. You are here.” He touched her cheek. “And yet you don’t want to be. That’s why you were crying.”

She looked down, aware of the cool grass tickling her toes. While she might have been born here, this wasn’t her home. She didn’t know anyone. When she looked at those beautiful faces, all she saw were hollow eyes looking for something to entertain them. For the moment, that was her.

“It’s been an exhausting day…” Maybe she should have gone to her room. At least no one would have bothered her there. She could’ve stared at the ceiling until her brain tried to climb out of her skull with boredom. She took a step and he mirrored her movement. “I think I’ll return to the castle now.”

“So soon?” He raised one eyebrow.

“Weren’t you sent to drag me back to the castle?”

“Have you done something that would warrant me hauling you back to the castle?”

She shook her head. Not unless running and hiding was a crime here. Next time she wouldn’t venture so far from the castle…although if it meant running into the Hunter, maybe she would.

“Perhaps we could walk back to the castle together.” He offered her his arm.

For a heartbeat she stared at it. It was an offer she couldn’t refuse, and yet one she wasn’t sure she should take. Would it help or hinder her chances of getting the pardon? Refusing would definitely hinder. She had no doubt Verden would report back to the King.

She swallowed. “Let me put my shoes on.”

The dogs stretched and snapped their teeth as if impatient.

When she stood up, he was waiting. She carefully placed her arm around his. She was sure her fingertips tingled where their skin touched, but she was going to blame the magic of Annwyn, not lust. Wanting him would lead to trouble.

Would walking with him also bring trouble?

She didn’t know enough to make that decision. They walked out of the alcove and onto the tree-lined path. He was returning her to the castle. He could have lied about everything and she’d have no idea.

“If you’d like a tour of the castle or the grounds, I’d be more than happy to oblige. I know how difficult the first few days at Court can be.”

How could he know that? Taryn stopped walking and half turned to face him. Should she accept or play it cool? The silence expanded as she debated what to say. She was going to screw this up.

He frowned as if not understanding her reluctance. “Not everything here is a trap, Taryn. Some things are just as they appear—the trick is determining what is truth and what is a clever lie.”

“And how am I supposed to know if you make your offer out of kindness or cruelty?”
Please
don’t let this be some kind of trick.
She needed to learn more about Court and he was willing to take the time to help her…or was he simply playing her to learn why she was here?

Did it matter when she still got what she needed?

“That is your decision to make.” He looked at her for a moment too long for it to be a casual observation. Something shifted in his eyes and she glimpsed a hunger that hadn’t been there before; then it was gone as fast as if she’d imagined it—a desire that would never be filled. A desire for what? Information? Power?

She wanted to trust him even though her mother’s warning echoed in her ears.

Don’t trust anyone, not even the King, until the pardon is issued.

But she had to trust someone because she couldn’t do this on her own.

Verden didn’t pull his arm free and stalk off; he waited for her to choose. This was a one-time offer. She knew he wouldn’t make it again, but she also knew she wouldn’t be free of him. He worked for the King, and he wanted to know why she was here. That could work in her favor. Perhaps with Verden she could get closer to the King.

When she looked at him, she didn’t want this to be about the King or anything else. She wanted to be shown the castle, and she wanted him to show her. Perhaps Annwyn wasn’t as alien and unfriendly as she first thought.

“I’d love a tour…if you have the time.”

He smiled, the one with warmth in it, not the other one that looked as though it had been carefully crafted to give nothing away. “For you I will always have time.”

Chapter 3

Verden was sure it wouldn’t go unnoticed that Taryn was walking with him. It certainly wouldn’t hurt her standing at Court if people assumed she was in favor. And for tonight she was. Before them, the castle loomed. It seemed every time he looked at it, the branches held fewer leaves.

He glanced at Taryn. Pretty, yes, but all fairies were. It was her attitude that made him pause. He could have walked away from her in alcove, sure that she was no threat. And yet he hadn’t wanted to. She was different in a way that made him want to be around her—and there was something in her eyes when she looked at him, a glimmer that most would hide. That he could call it protecting the King’s interests was a bonus when what he wanted to do was protect his own interests.

It would be a shame to see her fall prey to the games of the Court. Those that had treated him most viciously had been dealt with. One by one he’d taken them down. Now, no one dared cross him. Most wanted favors.

He’d offered Taryn one and she’d almost turned it down; he’d seen it in her eyes, her confusion and wariness. He’d enjoyed that moment. He was the Hunter, but he was also a man, and it was nice to talk to a woman who wasn’t trying to get something from him. That she was untainted by Court and bubbled with life that she didn’t hide was a bonus. If she would accept, he’d offer to take her anywhere she wanted just to hear her laugh. She shouldn’t be so sad; Court could be wonderful.

She looked at him as if studying his face before speaking. “Can I ask a question?”

His guard automatically went up. “You can, but I may not answer.”

She was silent for a couple paces. “A trade then. You answer one of mine and I’ll answer one of yours.” Her lips curved as if she were proud of herself for offering the trade of information.

For most others he’d still refuse. He knew too much to be open, but he already knew what he wanted to ask of her and he doubted that she’d ask anything too revealing of him. “You have a deal.”

Her smile faltered. “I didn’t mean to make a deal.”

“But you have and I can’t let you out of it.” He stopped walking. He wouldn’t abuse the deal though, the way others would. She would have to learn to be more careful. “You may ask first.”

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.”