Lord of the Hunt by Shona Husk Read Free Book Online Page B

Lady.”
    “Ah.” Verden directly acknowledged her as if he’d been granted permission for the first time that night. “I’m so glad you were able to join us for dinner.” His smile lost its impersonal edge for a moment, but it was back so fast she couldn’t be sure if it was imagined or real.
    “A pleasure.” Her cheeks heated like she’d never had a man look at her and smile. Her gaze slid over Verden’s shoulders to his hands. Elegant but unadorned by rings. He didn’t need jewels to draw attention.
    The King was talking, something about the rules of the game. His hand touched hers for a second, but it was a second too long while Verden was watching. He hadn’t missed the gesture. She nodded along as if understanding, then watched as the cards were dealt and the game began. It was too quick for her to follow and Verden lost.
    “Will you give me a chance to regain my honor in front of the Lady?” Verden smiled, but it wasn’t the one she’d seen in the garden. This one was purely for show. How much of how he behaved was for the benefit of others? Had his conversation with her been an act to lure her in? Or had that been the truth, and this was the lie? She glanced across the floor to where people were either dancing or dining in organized chaos. Who would she be able to trust if everyone was playing along and seeking only to increase their standing?
    “Best of three.”
    Again the King dealt, and he and Verden played the hand. This time she watched more closely, trying to work out how they were playing and what the animal and season cards meant. It wasn’t just new games, it was a different set of cards. Yet she’d have to learn some of the games just to get by and look the part. She glanced at the King. She needed to learn to be able to play with him.
    Laughter from the dance floor distracted her. The Queen was the center of attention, Ladies and Lords spinning around her in a dance that seemed to trap her every time she pretended to get free.
    “She’s beautiful isn’t she?” The King’s breath brushed her ear and the hair on her arms prickled to attention.
    “She is.” She looked like Snow White with her dark hair and dark eyes; it was no wonder Gwyn had married her.
    “Don’t let her looks deceive you. She is cruel and bitter and you would do well to avoid the web she weaves.” He slapped the table, returning attention to the game.
    Right, less Snow White more evil Queen. Taryn considered that would be her one and only warning. If she fell into the Queen’s circle, that would be the end of her privilege.
    The dance ended and the Queen glided over, her cheeks pink from dancing, her eyes bright, and yet there was no joy in her features. “Come, husband, dance with me.” The Queen held out her hand.
    The King paused a moment before getting up. There was still another hand of the card game to go. Would he ignore his wife when so many watched? Everyone seemed to pause to see what would happen. Then he took his wife’s hand, leaving Taryn and Verden at the table alone. They glanced at each other, and Taryn was aware of how many people surrounded them, pretending not to look to see what would happen next. She wasn’t used to living so publicly. Reality TV had nothing on this.
    She needed to say something to him. She wanted him to speak to her. “So…is it like this every evening?”
    Verden took a sip of his drink and gathered up the deck of cards. “This is the first time in about ten days that both the King and Queen have attended dinner.” He handed her the cards. “There are five suits. Four seasons plus animals. Then there are the majors, which include the eight festivals, like midsummer.”
    She fanned the cards over the table and looked at them; each one was a beautiful picture more like tarot than playing cards, but she wasn’t interested in the cards right now. She glanced up at him, but he was looking at the cards.
    “Why are you talking to me now when you ignored me