Lord of the Hunt by Shona Husk Read Free Book Online

weren’t as flashy as anyone else’s at the table. The green of his waistcoat seemed to shift as he moved, the ties on his shirt cuffs were still undone, and yet there was a restrained power about him that she would have noticed regardless of what he was wearing. He didn’t need fancy clothes to attract attention. He blinked, breaking the moment, and she remembered to breathe.
    “Midsummer isn’t really celebrated.” She glanced around and saw that wasn’t the answer they were looking for. “However, because it falls during school break, there are lots of beach parties.”
    “Beach parties.” Felan gave a small nod like he knew exactly what she was talking about. Aside from Felan, the other fairies were looking rather blank. She raised an eyebrow. Wow, they really needed to get out more.
    “Sand, surf, bonfires. Or music festivals. Last year there was a beer festival.”
    “So what are you suggesting? We cavort like drunken humans on a pile of sand?” The Queen laughed as if it was the most ludicrous idea she’d ever heard; a few others joined her.
    The Queen was a bitch, like those popular girls at high school who picked on others and thought it was fun. Verden’s warning about staying away wouldn’t be hard to follow.
    Verden placed his cup down and leaned forward a fraction, drawing the Queen’s attention away from Taryn. “Don’t we usually drink and cavort at midsummer anyway?”
    “That is the point of the party,” the King agreed.
    The Queen gave Verden and the King a glare that would have frozen water. “I have always preferred Lughnasa.”
    “That’s because it’s battle and blood.” Felan signaled to a shadow servant and food was placed on the table. “Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, but I’m sure my mother will do what she wants anyway when it comes to choosing this year’s theme.”
    Taryn tilted her head but kept her mouth shut. The less she said the better, as whatever she said was sure to be used against her later. With her eyes on her wooden plate, she ate as delicately as she could manage and sipped at what was in her cup. It was nonalcoholic and all she really wanted was a glass of wine or a beer—anything to take the edge off would have been nice. If she’d been human, one sip or one bite of the food would’ve been enough to bind her to Annwyn.
    Conversation ebbed around her and no one seemed to mind that she was quiet. When she lifted her gaze, she was being watched. From across the table, Verden’s gaze met hers. He didn’t say anything and he didn’t smile, but for a moment she thought she saw a shimmer of heat in his eyes. Then he carried on his discussion as if she weren’t there. So much for even having one friend at Court. Had she imagined the attraction and his attention?
    No, he had definitely been interested. Or he’d been faking the whole time and was now laughing on the inside at her expense.
    Which one was the real Verden? The one who’d taken the time to talk to her or this one whose face was a mask and who easily ate and drank with Lords and Ladies that outranked her parents?
    The King leaned toward her and rested his elbow on the table. “How is your mother?”
    Was it too soon to ask him? Probably. Maybe this was the test to see how pushy she was. Verden had warned her to be subtle and so had her mother. That advice she had to trust. It would be better to touch the edges than ask and be shot down. And if she never got another chance to sit with the King? She’d have to make one. She had to make sure she got invited back to his table. She angled her body slightly, as if she had no interest in anyone but the King. If Verden could ignore her, she could ignore him just as well. “Well, sire.”
    His gaze cut through her as he watched her more closely than required. In his light blue eyes, she saw the bleakest winter. His age was showing for anyone who dared to look. She wanted to back away before she got caught in the storm, but she