Hunted by Hazel Hunter

Author:Hazel Hunter [Hunter, Hazel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allure Press
Published: 2016-08-10T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Ryan knew that the old Moffett lodge had hosted many guests over its long history. A few illustrious politicians, country singers, and businessmen had even graced the wood-paneled halls where he now strode. But it had mostly served as a haven for renegades. Elias Moffett, the banker who had built the place before the market crash of ’29, had hated the new-fangled electricity of his time, and outfitted the lodge to run on coal and gas. During the Great Depression Moffett had refused to sell the place, instead moving there to live with his wife. All their wealth gone, they had sometimes had to live on whatever wild game Elias could find in the woods, until their fortunes reversed again.

As Ryan exited the lodge and headed for the dressing tent, he still smiled a little when he remembered Elias. Like him, Elias had been exiled for marrying a mortal. The old Fae huntsman had welcomed the Forever Faire each winter, providing haven and kinship for Ryan and his men while they rested from their long year of traveling. Elias had also adored his lovely wife, Lily, despite the fact that she had never been able to give him children. She died smiling in his arms shortly after celebrating her ninetieth birthday. The next morning Elias had sent a courier with one last letter and the deed for the Moffett Lodge to Ryan, before choosing to follow his wife to the next place.

Once in the dressing tent, Ryan began to prepare for the bout by donning his armor. But his thoughts remained with Elias and his wife—and Ryan well knew why. He’d been in a melancholy mood since his encounter in the woods. Perhaps the joust would dispel his gloominess. If naught else it would give him something to do besides think of her.

The tent flap opened, and Colm stepped inside. “Our new groom’s a female.”

“What?” Ryan retrieved his chest protector and checked the straps before fitting it into place. “Why?”

“I asked Lawrence that, and the addlebrain swore—swore to me, Ryan—that he’d hired a lad. I went to the barn to tell the boy when to bring out the horses. And there she was.” Colm brought over two lances and held them out. “The eight or the ten?”

“The ten, brother.”

Ryan was set to ride against Gavan, who had been a champion of the tourneys since their invention.

“Is she a mannish woman?” Ryan asked. “What do they call it...transforming?”

“Transgender,” his second said, but shook his head. “A wee thing, but definitely female. Could be Lawrence simply neglected to look down.” Colm checked the length of the ten-foot lance for defects. “Titan’s taken to cuddling her.”

Ryan uttered a sour sound. “My horse doesn’t cuddle.”

“He does now. Hung his head on her shoulder and nuzzled her neck, as besotted as a boy. So sweet he was, it set my teeth to ache.” Colm picked up his helmet and turned it over in his hands. “My gut says she’s trouble.”

He stopped cinching his straps. “How so?”

Colm made a frustrated sound.

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