Taryn shivered even though it wasn’t that cold. She’d been to Ireland twice now. The first time had definitely been better. “Then don’t do it.”
He looked at her. “What would you have me do, lie? How do you think that would play out? You hide in the forest and then, when no deer is caught, the King will order the hounds and they will find you and then he will realize you are still fairy. I’d say any chance of getting your father’s pardon will be gone then. Any chance you and Verden had of getting out of this would be gone.”
She swallowed. “This isn’t right. It’s not how grievances are settled.”
“It is in Annwyn. You are playing by Annwyn’s laws, not mortal ones. My father needs to save face, and my mother is trying to dismantle his rule.” He shook his head. “And I don’t have time for either of their games.” He closed his eyes for a couple heartbeats.
She thought about running. How far could she get? But he was right. She could run, but she would be found. Or she’d be left to die on this side of the veil. “Why do fairies die if they are caught in the mortal world during the power shift?”
The Prince opened his eyes; he looked tired. Had he even slept last night? “Because for a moment Annwyn dies.”
“Greys survive without the magic of Annwyn.” She was using the word survive loosely because a being banished from Annwyn was really just a slow death. It was the most severe punishment a fairy could get. Most would rather a quick death in the river.
“I’ve heard it’s like having your heart ripped out the moment Annwyn dies. For those in Annwyn, they recover as the magic is restored, but the restoration comes too late for those in the mortal world. Greys, on the other hand, suffer a slow bleeding out of the magic they once had. The death of Annwyn doesn’t change that.”
“So a Grey could live for a very long time.”
“If they didn’t use magic, but most can’t help themselves. I will not make you a Grey. That will help no one.”
“It won’t help you.”
He shrugged. “I want your father back; you want your family safe. We aren’t at cross-purposes. We never have been.”
“You used me.”
“I have Annwyn to protect from the likes of Sulia. I will do whatever it takes.” There was steel in his voice. “You play your part and we might still be able to steal the win from my mother.” He held out the deer. It looked like it was carved from bone.
She hesitated. If she took it would she change? “Will it hurt?”
“I don’t know.”
“What happened to the last person?”
“His fur was black. Both refused to hunt him. He died a deer.”
Her stomach turned. “Don’t let me die a deer.”
“Then pray your fur is white. Which means your word was true.”
“My word was true, but I can’t help what my heart wants.”
“None of us can.” He placed the deer in her hand. It was warm, from being held. Patches of the bone were stained dark. “Good luck.”
She lifted her gaze from the bone deer to Felan. “Who do you want to win me?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure it matters when the result will be the same.” He lifted her other hand and pressed the tip of the knife to her finger.
“What do you mean?” she said as a single drop of blue blood formed, then fell onto the bone deer.
The world shimmered and vanished. When she blinked, everything smelled funny. She skittered away from the man, watched him for a moment as he bent down and picked things up, then instinct told her he was dangerous and to run. So she ran.
Verden was sure that the chill in the air of Annwyn was more than his imagination. Had the King and Queen had words after the party? He touched his cheek, aware the flesh was still tender and the wound still raw. Along with his pride.
He’d screwed up as Taryn would say and let the midsummer festival get the better of him. Whatever had happened after the party, summer was gone and Annwyn was well into autumn. Gold and orange leaves fell as he walked toward the tree that held the weapons.
The Queen was already there, alone for a change. The bitch who’d plotted to bring him down. He didn’t bother faking a smile. There was no point any longer.
“What do you want?” He looked her in the eye. He would not bow and offer fake courtesy.
“I’m here to wish my husband well.”
Verden snorted. “Really? I thought you’d want him to lose so Lady Taryn is out of the way.”
The Queen walked around him, her hand on his sleeve. Verden turned to keep his gaze on her.
“I want him to win and her to be in his arms. I want you to fail and sleep each night knowing that she is lost to you the way my lover is now lost to me.”
“I had nothing to do with the death of Shea.”
“You are the Hunter. You are my husband’s eyes and ears and hands. You do what he can’t.” She released him. “No longer. You have kept your title for too long. A farmer’s son, a nobody. Now you will learn your place.”
“Annwyn needs a Hunter. Even if I fall, Gwyn will choose another.”
“And who would be Hunter for what’s left? I know his time is drawing to an end. I smell the frost. No. There will be no new Hunter and Gwyn will be off the throne.”
Verden narrowed his eyes. She hadn’t said until Felan is King. “I’m sure Felan has picked his Hunter and Council already.”
The Queen laughed. “Fool. I don’t know why Gwyn has favored you for so long.”
“Because my loyalty has been unwavering. Unlike yours.”
“Enjoy your final hunt, Verden.” The Queen deliberately dropped his title and didn’t use his full name. She turned away and faced the two men approaching. Gwyn and Felan.
Verden pulled open the weapons store’s door and started gathering the bows and arrows needed for today’s hunt. His hand shook as he reached for the weapons. How was he going to do this?
While he hadn’t restocked the store after the last hunt, he was sure that there had been more arrows. Still there was more than enough for today. All it would take was one. A dog whined at his feet. Eager to hunt or aware they were about to lose their master? He gave it a scratch between the ears. The animals he was going to miss the most. They’d never lied or tried to cheat him, and their hearts were always open instead of being rigidly guarded.
The royal family was talking, their words soft and muffled. For a moment Verden considered closing the store and remaining in the tree. But he’d never been one to hide. He’d always taken the gamble and played the game. Today he didn’t know how to win. There was too much at stake. The Queen had found his weakness and pushed the blade deep.
He clenched and unclenched his hands, then picked up two bows and two quivers of arrows. The dog followed him out of the tree. Conversation stopped as he shut the door and locked it.
Felan gave him a nod, but he was only here as a witness to the hunt. Nothing more. He wouldn’t help or hinder. That was the role that Verden had previously taken when grudges needed to be settled by hunting—but none had ever involved hunting human or fairy quarry. And he’d never expected to find himself on the other end of the King’s judgment.
He offered the weapons to Felan, who checked that both bows were in working order and then let his father choose first before handing the other one back to Verden. Felan then repeated the action with the quiver of arrows.
The dog pawed at the ground and whined again. Verden ignored it this time. They wouldn’t listen to him for much longer.
The Queen smiled. “Happy hunting.” Then she walked away.
It was so tempting to notch an arrow and shoot her in the back. But if she died, Annwyn would instantly succumb to winter. Felan wouldn’t want that. Verden didn’t want that. No fairy, or mortal, did.