Free Hunted (Book One of the Forever Faire Series): A Fae Fantasy Romance Novel by Hazel Hunter

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. “I can’t fault her work. She’s managing it. The barn and the mounts are in good order. Our lads like her, too, rather a lot—even your Titan. She’s a bit cheeky, but what female isn’t these days?” He hesitated but then pressed on. “I just know there’s more to this little wench than can be seen. I can’t put name to the cause, but she unsettles me. The eyes, maybe. Like a cat’s.”
    Ryan considered all that. “You’re sure she’s mortal, then?”
    “Aye, as they come. I took a look from toe to head, and there’s not a bit of Fae about her.” Colm held up his right hand. “I saw a bridle about to fall and caught it. I mindfogged it from her in a blink.”
    As his second Colm bore many burdens. He kept a keen and perpetual watch over their troop. His instincts, honed by battle and loss, always made the mark. If he thought the wench was trouble, then no doubt she was.
    “Send her on her way after the bout,” Ryan said.
    “She’ll need wages,” Colm said, but he seemed relieved. “Enough to keep them until they find something else.” He caught Ryan’s glance. “Lawrence hired her sister as our new seamstress. You’ve seen her?”
    “Aye.” Ryan recalled the slim, ashen-haired female with the sulky eyes, fitting a vest on Gavan. He hadn’t liked that she was fair, but her hair had none of the golden color so many Fae women possessed.
    “They look naught alike.”
    Colm shrugged. “Sisters often don’t, brother. Our groomswoman is the older, and to my eyes, more fetching.”
    Colm’s concern for their temporary nuisance wasn’t unusual. Although they treasured mortal females, the rigors of the show demanded the sort of stamina and strength rarely possessed by them. His second’s interest stirred Ryan’s curiosity.
    “How long has it been since you’ve taken a lover?”
    “Since I was cast out, as well you know,” Colm told him. “Even if I