She walked across the hall and through the corridor that was ribboned in sunlight sneaking between the thinning leaves, and then into a chamber, which was like a dome. A huge dome littered with gray stones. Some were only fist sized, while others reached for the roof like Stone Age monuments. Sulia had shown it to her and given her the chance to listen for a few minutes before moving on. Sulia had been far too nice, letting her join in even though the other women thought she was beneath them. Sulia definitely wanted something, but Taryn hadn’t worked out what it was yet. Until she did, she had to be careful.
However, she was grateful that she knew of this place. It was the perfect place to hide, learn, and stretch. She wasn’t used to sitting around all day with a smile stuck to her face. She let her shoulders ease and the smile fade. Why Verden hadn’t included it in his tour was a mystery. But then, he’d only shown her the social aspects and tempted her with promises of trips to the mortal world.
She sat against a medium-sized rock and closed her eyes. The song swelled around her when she touched it, a battle for the throne. Gwyn’s battle for the throne. She was sure there was a way to find specific pieces of history, but for the moment, anything was fine. If anyone came in, she was simply doing some study, learning her heritage or something along those lines, but she doubted she’d be disturbed. The grass didn’t look as though it saw many feet. She ran her fingers over the soft green tips and listened to the song of an ancient battle and the destruction it had caused to both worlds.
Winter and plague.
Loss of love and life. The woman Gwyn had planned to marry killed by his brother. The Queen a substitute, the younger daughter of a human king that Gwyn had befriended. Had they ever truly been in love or had it always been duty that was now bringing bitterness? As they bickered, people died.
Fairies brought death. Is that what her heritage was? Is that all she had to offer?
Her parents wanted to live. She wanted a life. She wanted love. Love like her parents had, able to hold fast no matter how bad it got. It was possible, no matter what she’d seen so far at Court—just maybe not possible at Court.
Verden formed in her mind. He wouldn’t know love if it bit him on the ass. Her lips curved as she wondered what his ass would look like; the long waistcoats that were in fashion at the moment hid far too much. Now, a nice pair of jeans that showed off his butt and thighs, a slightly tight T-shirt. She’d tug his hair out of the binding and let it hang loose.
Yeah, he was trouble even when she dressed him as a human.
“You’re smiling at an epic battle that killed a third of all fairies.” Her daydream spoke.
Taryn opened one eye, then the other. Verden was standing in front of her. Pink crept up her cheeks—how did the other women control that? “You’re intruding on my thoughts.”
He looked at her for a moment, then bowed. “I shall leave you to them.”
“Please don’t.” She didn’t know when she’d get to talk to him again. She went to stand, and he offered her his hand to help. Their palms touched. His was rougher, warmer. He drew her up as if she weighed nothing, and she ended up standing far closer to him than she’d intended. She tilted her chin a fraction to look up at him.
Then he kissed her. His mouth sealed hers, hard and urgent. He moved closer, pressing her against the stone she had been listening to. It was cold against her back, but she didn’t care. His tongue traced her lower lip before slipping past and coaxing a moan from her. It was no longer just the magic of Annwyn flowing through her blood. Pure lust burned through her veins, hot and heady. Her fingers caught the edges of his waistcoat.
He drew back a fraction. “I had to see you.”
For an answer she kissed him. Every time he’d walked past without looking at her, or looked but did not stop to talk, had been for show. They couldn’t be friends here. He’d kept his word…so why was he breaking it now?
Anyone could walk past.
She broke the kiss off even though she was still hungry for his touch. The way his body pressed against hers left nothing to her imagination. His body was firm, and he wanted her just as much as she needed him in that moment. But the fineness of the fabric and the friction of the embroidery on his waistcoat were a reminder of how above her station he was. Whatever was happening wouldn’t go far. She would leave; he would remain. He was a Court fairy, and she wanted to go back to the mortal world where games didn’t kill.
“It’s been noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time away from Court. The Ladies are talking.” Her lips brushed his as she spoke, stealing another taste.
“I’ve been working. They should try it sometime.” He took another kiss that left her breathless, the way no human man had ever done.
“Thank you for the cards.”
“I’m glad I got the chance to play with you.” His hand cupped her cheek. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to ignore you?”
Of course she did. She wanted to say, “Then let’s stop and see what happens,” but she couldn’t. She knew that if the King saw her with another man, his favor would end. As much as she hated it, she needed his attention. She just hoped Felan knew as much about his father as he claimed. “I wish it wasn’t this way.”
“It won’t be forever.”
Would she tire of him when the thrill was missing? If she could be with him in public, there would be no burning expectation to see him again. She was here for a reason, not a good time—and not a long time. They both knew that.
“How come you didn’t show me this place?”
“Hard to make connections if you’re hiding.” His hand traced over her ribs and brushed the side of her breast.
Her back arched a little, daring him to go further. He watched her as his thumb swept over her nipple, the peak pressing against her dress. He lowered his head to take another kiss, slower and deeper this time.
A dog yipped and he stepped back as if touching her burned. “I have to go.” He glanced at the door. “Tonight, after dinner.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
Taryn stayed where she was, catching her breath and trying to calm her body. Human men had never made her feel like that. She swallowed and eased her back away from the stone, smoothing her skirts and hoping that she looked respectable. Her finger touched her lips. She could ignore him—she could ignore him really well if he would do that more often.
Chapter 8
Verden caught Taryn’s gaze from the other end of the table as he raised his goblet. He’d promised her a trip across the veil tonight. He needed the trip. Between Court and hunting, he needed the peace of the wilds—any wilds would do, although he had his favorite places. He hadn’t decided where to take Taryn tonight. Somewhere different. Warmer. He had ideas of easing the dress from her body and tasting her skin.
For a moment he let himself enjoy the idea before shutting it down. Not because he didn’t want her—it had been a while since he’d acted on lust without considering all the possible implications—but because he didn’t want it showing on his face.
The King laughed as Taryn showed him another game. Jealousy stabbed beneath his ribs and twisted. He wanted to be the one sitting next to her and laughing, yet it had been so long since he’d seen Gwyn look as though he was enjoying himself that he couldn’t begrudge the man some happiness. He just wished someone else were causing it, and he didn’t want to be the one ruining it. Jealousy had no place in his heart—and his heart had no place at Court.
He glanced at the Queen, dancing with her son and a few of his friends as if there was nothing wrong. Felan was doing his best to keep her occupied, to keep her from spoiling the temporary peace. Did anyone in this room realize how hard some of them were working to keep everything going?