Court of Annwyn Boxed Set by Shona Husk

Author:Shona Husk
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2014-04-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

Verden was sure it wouldn’t go unnoticed that Taryn was walking with him. It certainly wouldn’t hurt her standing at Court if people assumed she was in favor. And for tonight she was. Before them, the castle loomed. It seemed every time he looked at it, the branches held fewer leaves.

He glanced at Taryn. Pretty, yes, but all fairies were. It was her attitude that made him pause. He could have walked away from her in alcove, sure that she was no threat. And yet he hadn’t wanted to. She was different in a way that made him want to be around her—and there was something in her eyes when she looked at him, a glimmer that most would hide. That he could call it protecting the King’s interests was a bonus when what he wanted to do was protect his own interests.

It would be a shame to see her fall prey to the games of the Court. Those that had treated him most viciously had been dealt with. One by one he’d taken them down. Now, no one dared cross him. Most wanted favors.

He’d offered Taryn one and she’d almost turned it down; he’d seen it in her eyes, her confusion and wariness. He’d enjoyed that moment. He was the Hunter, but he was also a man, and it was nice to talk to a woman who wasn’t trying to get something from him. That she was untainted by Court and bubbled with life that she didn’t hide was a bonus. If she would accept, he’d offer to take her anywhere she wanted just to hear her laugh. She shouldn’t be so sad; Court could be wonderful.

She looked at him as if studying his face before speaking. “Can I ask a question?”

His guard automatically went up. “You can, but I may not answer.”

She was silent for a couple paces. “A trade then. You answer one of mine and I’ll answer one of yours.” Her lips curved as if she were proud of herself for offering the trade of information.

For most others he’d still refuse. He knew too much to be open, but he already knew what he wanted to ask of her and he doubted that she’d ask anything too revealing of him. “You have a deal.”

Her smile faltered. “I didn’t mean to make a deal.”

“But you have and I can’t let you out of it.” He stopped walking. He wouldn’t abuse the deal though, the way others would. She would have to learn to be more careful. “You may ask first.”

She glanced at the castle and then at him, a frown pinching her eyebrows and tightening her lips. “Will you swear this stays between us?”

He’d promised the King to find out why she was here. How could he keep that promise while keeping this to himself?

“Why ask if you think I’ll tell the King?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, obviously torn. Then she opened them. “I need to ask a favor of the King.”

Well, that answered why she was at Court.

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