Lord of the Hunt Read Online Free PDF

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