Shona Husk: Lord of the Hunt

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 second 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.”