by Shona Husk
Henry watched Darah dance with someone else. Her dark hair was swept up, exposing her graceful neck and the shimmering gold dress she wore clung to every curve. He hadn’t wanted to let her go. Once she left his side he knew he’d never be able to get her back. While he might have crawled his way out the gutter he was born in, he had not climbed high enough to keep the likes of Darah. She was a glittering Goddess who would still be alive centuries after he had turned to dust.
She showed the man she was dancing with the same reserve that she’d shown him. That pleased him until he realized that was probably her true nature. When he looked around the decorated hall he saw that most of the fairies were standoffish at best. They all wore that mask. A few let a smile break through, but it didn’t seem natural.
Darah had finally let her guard down and let him in and he’d rewarded her trust with a stab to the heart. He sipped his wine and tried to convince himself it was for the best. They belonged in two different worlds. He could see that very clearly now.
Now that he’d seen her world he didn’t know how she’d managed to live in his. But the memories of her working in the garden and lying in his bed were something he’d treasure. It wasn’t often he let people get that close to him. And it was even less often that he got to enjoy being with someone without fearing that he’d be their killer.
Darah found herself taking Felan’s offered hand. She couldn’t refuse the King a dance at his own celebration. While he’d spent most of the night at his wife’s side he had made several notable exceptions. That he was favoring her after she turned down the job meant something…probably that he wasn’t going to let her off the hook that easily.
She pasted on the expected smile even though she felt wretched. Somehow she’d screwed things up with Henry. It was much easier to have relationships with people that she didn’t care about. There were no messy feelings, and no mistakes as the goals of the relationship were clear. That was how it had started with Henry. But there was no way to take away what had been said and felt and go back to purely business.
“Enjoying yourself, Lady Darah?” Felan looked as though he knew full well that she wasn’t.
“It is a lovely party and congratulations again.” She’d already said all of this when she’d presented her gifts. Clothes for the babies and chocolate for the Queen. Her eyes had lit up and her smile had been genuine—something still very rare in Annwyn.
“I thought you would’ve been escorting the darkling.”
“I have, but his thoughts are elsewhere.” She had no idea where. He wanted her, but then pushed her away. Her feet moved through the dance without thought. Felan’s distance was perfect, his attention just so, yet his smile wasn’t fixed. When she looked at him he really did seem happy.
The people around them were also beginning to relax—a little. It would take time for old habits of wariness to fade. Her gaze sought out Henry. He was feasting and talking as though nothing were amiss. Her heart was empty. Had it been like that before? Maybe she’d never noticed because she hadn’t known what it was to feel full.
“And so are yours.”
Her attention snapped back to the King. She was obviously out of practice. Too much time as a shadow servant and then too much time across the veil. However she could turn this to her advantage…maybe.
“I spoke rashly earlier.” She couldn’t very well say that she’d found something she wanted more than being on his Council.
“You had other games in play.” He seemed almost amused. Was he going to make her grovel?
“I found myself torn between duty and love, but it turns out there is only one path to follow as the other was an illusion.” Would he think her a fool?
“I agree there is only one path to follow. I want you to remain on my Council.” He moved easily following the steps of the dance even though he was obviously thinking strategy.
“You honor me.” She inclined her head, glad that she hadn’t lost everything. It only felt that way.
“On one condition.” He looked at her, waiting for her response.
There was always a catch. Her heart sank, but she didn’t dare refuse.
“And what’s that condition?” She tried to make her voice light, but wasn’t sure she was successful.
“You will find out tomorrow when Henry is sentenced.”
Damn it. Felan was still going to punish Henry. She wanted to argue, but bit her tongue. There was nothing else she could do for Henry. He was on his own. When the dance ended, they both bowed.
As Felan brushed past he whispered in her ear. “It isn’t duty that’s the right path.”
Then he was swallowed up by the crowd. He knew she’d fallen for Henry. The bad feeling spread. It was too late to distance herself from Henry, whatever happened she was now implicated.
Felan had outplayed everyone to claim the throne. He was far smarter than many had given him credit for. As an ally he was dangerous, but as an enemy he could be deadly. While so far he had been true to his word about having a more lenient Court, at some point he’d have to flex the power he had to prove he was willing to go to the river if need be.
She had no idea what his strategy was or what he could be planning. That made her nervous. He’d always treated her as an ally, but that could change fast.
Her gaze found Henry talking to Caspian.
There was no point in running to his side to warn him. He knew his fate was approaching. He might as well enjoy tonight. Which is exactly what she should do.
But no fairy man caught her eye the way Henry did. They were too polished, and she knew exactly what to expect from them in bed—a perfect performance that they would both enjoy. She didn’t have it in her to find someone suitable for an interlude. There was definitely something wrong with her when she was at Court and all she wanted was the darkling.
Perhaps there was a way to take what they had back to basics.
She moved through the dancers, politely refusing those who wanted her join in. Henry broke away from his conversation as if he knew that she was coming for him.
“You have the King’s ear?” He got straight to the point.
“Hardly.” Did Henry realize he was talking to Felan’s mortal son? Probably. Henry was no innocent at risk from the wiles of Court. Had his conversation been friendly or strategic? She still saw plots in every action. “Your wait will be over tomorrow. However, I have one last proposition for you.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “And what would that be?”
“You need somewhere to sleep tonight and I am in want of some entertainment. A fair exchange.” Her heart was beating faster than it should be. It was just sex, which was exactly where they had started.
For the longest moment he was silent. “I’d like to accept.”
“Then accept.” Her hand landed on his arm. The light blue shirt was soft beneath her fingers. “Tomorrow we both move on. The King has something planned.”
“You have your place on the Council?”
She nodded, but didn’t mention the strings because she didn’t know what they were.
“Good. I’m happy for you.” But his face was grim.
“Are you really?” Where had his smile gone, the one that had lit up his eyes when he’d seen her in the Hall of Mirrors?
“I can be happy for you and sad for me at the same time.” He glanced away and took in the party. “I think I might spend my last night of freedom here. Instead of sleeping it away.”
“I never said you’d be sleeping.” She ran her hand up his chest.
He closed his eyes. “I know. But you are a temptation I have to learn to live without.” He opened his eyes, the heat was there, then lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “I am the frog and you are the princess. Not every frog turns into a prince.”
Chapter 21
The wine might be non-alcoholic, but when the first rays of light poked through the leaves of the castle they were far too bright. After turning down Darah’s proposition—which proved he wasn’t half as smart as h
e thought he was—he had thrown himself into the party. He hadn’t made any deals and he hadn’t gambled, but his feet ached and he was desperate to lie down. The dozen other fairies who had stayed up all night all looked a little rough around the edges.
He closed his eyes and leaned against the tree. He was sitting on a ledge formed by a branch and right now it felt like the most comfortable bed he’d ever been in. He hadn’t seen Darah for the rest of the night.
He was pretty sure she’d never speak to him again. What kind of idiot said no to a woman wanting string free sex? Except it wouldn’t be string free. It never was with fairies.
Despite his exhaustion his mind wouldn’t settle. It was full of Darah and Detroit and that the King would declare his fate today. At least the wait would be over. He’d partied in Annwyn and hopefully hadn’t broken any other rules in the process. If it was his last night, it could’ve been worse.
He heard his name and cracked open his eyes. The Hunter was walking toward him. Her stride was all purpose and she didn’t deviate. He closed his eyes and hoped she was a hallucination.
It was too early for this.
“Henry Saint, the King requests your attendance.”
He bit back a groan of pure exhaustion. There was no sense in stalling. He stood, and his feet protested, half expecting her to whip out some handcuffs to make it look more official.
“Follow.” The Hunter turned on her heel and strode away. She obviously hadn’t stayed up all night.
Would it be wrong if he took off his shoes and walked barefoot…removing his feet seemed like a better idea but he didn’t dare say anything in case someone granted a wish he didn’t literally want to come true.
He’d quite happily kill someone for an aspirin right now…or a soul…neither of which he’d find in Annwyn.
As ordered he followed the Hunter into a different hall. This one had two thrones on a low dais at the front and it felt entirely more formal than the other two he’d been in. Near the King were the fairies that presumably made up his Council. Fairies that had made the effort to speak to him last night, no doubt to sound him out. Isaac, Bramwel, Darah—he swallowed but her gaze remained as cool and as impersonal as the others. He couldn’t remember the names of the other three—perhaps they hadn’t given them.
The Hunter left his side to join them. They all looked fresh and well rested, except for Darah. He was once again a rumpled mess. It was most unlike him, and probably not going to add any points in his favor.
He had no doubt the King had made sure they got together obscenely early because he knew that Henry had been up all night. The King was pure evil genius. Henry had to admire that. In another life maybe they could’ve started off on better footing and been friends.
Henry bowed. Might as well start this off right. Behind him the doors were closed with a solid thud. He tried not to flinch, but didn’t know if he was successful.
“You have enjoyed my hospitality?” The King didn’t bother with formalities or speeches. Everyone knew what was going on.
“Yes, Sire. But I would be glad to return home.” He didn’t want to stay. His gaze strayed to Darah standing near the throne. Not even for her was he willing to stay. This wasn’t his life. He needed to do more than dance and party, and while he was sure there was more to life here, he couldn’t join in all of it because he was a darkling and had a soul.
Could he give it up the way Isaac had? He wasn’t sure he wanted to even if he could. He liked being in charge of his life too much to surrender to the Court. Yet here he was at the King’s mercy for something that he’d never planned.
Felan stood up and walked toward him. “You turned my spy on me.”
Henry looked up. That was not where he’d been expecting this to go and it was most definitely a dangerous direction. “That’s not entirely true. She always worked for you first.”
“What did you promise her?”
That phrase about thin ice suddenly became real. One wrong step and he would end up in the river, and no one escaped the river of the damned. Had he promised Darah anything? No. Not in those words or anything that could be construed as a deal.
“I promised her nothing, but I offered her my heart.” His mistake. He should’ve known that she’d toy with and find it worthless. She wanted sex, not love. She wanted to be able to control him, not be with him.
That was the difference between them. He’d been raised in the mortal world with mortal values and she’d been brought up here were love was something to be feared.
If she’d have said that she loved him, just once, he’d have done anything for her.
But he hadn’t said it either. Not in those words. He glanced at her, but she wasn’t looking at him. He shouldn’t have turned her down last night. He should have taken the risk and hold her that he loved her without needing to hear it back.
Marlis had never loved him either…perhaps it was him. He looked at Felan, hoping that this would be over soon because the longer it went on the worse it became.
The King nodded as if he already knew what had transpired between Henry and Darah. Just get to the point already. He didn’t want Darah in trouble because of anything they had or hadn’t done. And he didn’t want to be in any more trouble.
“And did she accept or offer hers in return?” Felan tilted his head a fraction as he glanced at Darah.
This was not the conversation he wanted to be having with an audience. He glanced at Darah but she was giving him no clues. “I’m not sure.” Well that sounded lame even to his ears. “Everything is up in the air until I know my fate, Sire.”
Felan paced a few steps then stopped. “What you are doing has given us some concern and some late nights. If you weren’t darkling and surrounded by Greys, I would congratulate you on what you have achieved in the mortal world. You have done more than any fairy across the veil. When I shut the Court I asked that fairies help rebuild what they had destroyed. You didn’t know that and yet that is what you have done.”
He was going to be damned because of his black blood even though he was doing something good.
“And you’ve done it all without making deals with the Greys.” Felan took a couple of steps and stopped before facing Henry again. “The Hunter enforces my laws in both worlds. But you offered a structure to the Greys that they missed. You built a Court of the banished.”
“Not by plan.” That was a crappy defense.
Felan shrugged. “The result is the same.”
Yeah it was, and he’d realized what was happening and had done nothing to stop it. Henry bit back the sigh and waited for the axe to fall.
“And your Court cannot go unchecked as if Annwyn doesn’t exist.”
“Would you like to keep a spy there?” Henry forced a smile. If it meant he could go home he’d almost be happy. If it was Darah he’d be happier, but she’d only been a spy to gain her place on the Council and now she had more important things to do.
“Yes. But spy is such a nasty word now we are friends.” Felan fixed him with a look that was anything but friendly. It was more wolfish, as though he had Henry precisely where he wanted him and with no wriggle room. “You have eaten my food and drunk my wine and danced in my Court.”
Henry resisted the urge to step back. They weren’t friends, they weren’t really enemies either, but he wasn’t going to grab whatever was being offered without checking the fine print either. There was no way he could out play the King, but he didn’t have to make it easy either.
“I know the rules. I am bound here until you release me.” Was he getting released or not?
“You were bound to the Court by blood before that. Bound to Annwyn’s laws like any fairy, changeling or Grey.”
Was he going to have the Hunter supervise his every move? Put him on house arrest…although he guessed that’s what trapping him at Court was. It wasn’t as though he could leave Annwyn.
“I understand that too.” He pitied those who didn’t know what they were and fell on the wrong
side of Annwyn’s rules.
“Good. So I can trust you to uphold the laws in your own Court.”
Henry blinked and watched the King more closely. He was sure that was a trick question, but he couldn’t think of any laws that he’d willfully broken—except killing the Mayor. However the Mayor was changeling and had broken Annwyn’s laws by interfering with humans and using magic for his own gain. Did two wrongs make a right in this case?
“Yes?” That didn’t come out as confident as it should have.
“Traditionally the Council has concerned itself only with Annwyn, except the Hunter of course. I want to change that. I think it is time that Annwyn acknowledges that the banished can learn the error of their ways and have their sentence commuted to exile. I have already done that for one fairy. I see no reason that I can’t do it for others. Over time perhaps the exiled can also be pardoned. For that to happen I need someone permanently across the veil to set an example and lead.” Felan had been pacing and once again he stopped and looked at Henry.
The skin down his spine prickled with cold. This was a deal he wasn’t going to be able to refuse. He knew that before Felan even spoke.
“I’m offering you the title of Darkling Lord. You answer directly to the Hunter and me, you would be a Council member across the veil if you like. The highest ranking fairy in the mortal world, above even changelings.”
That offer definitely came with a catch, or a loophole or a nasty surprise that would bite him on the ass the first time he closed his eyes. Saying no would hurt a hell of a lot more.
“That sounds like an offer to good to be true.” By embracing him Felan was effectively claiming everything Henry did as his own, while still supervising and not risking getting his hands dirty should it all go to shit. There was a reason he’d won the battle for the throne. No swords had been drawn and yet the threat of the Greys gathering en mass had been neutralized and turned into a strategic decision.
He was being put on a leash. A diamond encrusted leash, but still a leash.
Felan laughed. “There is one small problem. Because you are Grey you cannot cross the veil without the Hunter’s silver cuffs. So I will designate a Court Liaison to work with you and represent you in Annwyn.”
