Free The Dark Huntsman: A Fantasy Romance of The Black Court (Tales of The Black Court Book 1) by Jessica Aspen

waved, indicating the contract and pretending to have some sort of control.
    “You are anxious, aren't you?” The corners of his mouth turned up in a wicked grin. Trina’s cheeks burned and the grin widened. “I’ve made arrangements for us to stay elsewhere in the forest. We shall go immediately, as you desire.” He held out an arm, elbow crooked, as if they were going to a ball.
    “Not so fast. Clothes. That contract stipulated clothes.” Something hot slid across his eyes, gone as soon as it appeared. Her voice shook. “I’m not leaving without something to wear.”
    “Of course.” He crossed the room. “One moment.” He stepped out and shut the door.
    Trina leaned against the dresser, her legs and breath shaky.
    Returning before she got her equilibrium back under control, he handed her a silky, soft green garment. Then he winked and held out a wicked, black lace thong on the tip of one long finger, and all her control fled. She snatched the thong, and the matching bra dangling from his other hand, pushed him out, and slammed the door on his sly laughter.
    Standing and holding her new clothes, she waited, wanting to be sure he wasn’t coming right back to surprise her while she was naked.
    “You don’t have much time, Alice.” He mocked through the solid wood door.
    She ground her teeth and got dressed. Everything fit perfectly, the silk dress molded tight to her breasts and waist and poured into a fitted flare of a skirt. Cut a generous smidge low in front and way too short in length, it was one of the nicest pieces of clothing she’d ever worn. But she’d trade it for old comfy jeans and a t-shirt in a hot second, if he’d given her an option.
    The door opened.
    “Very nice,” he said. His long stare skimmed up and down her body, reigniting her flush. “Green suits you.” He crooked his elbow and arched a brow. “Ready now? It’s time we were going.”
    Ignoring his pseudo-courtly gesture she sidled past, careful not to touch him, and proceeded down the stairs and out the front door.
    Outside, the ferocious red hounds gamboled like puppies in the morning sunshine. They seamlessly streamed around her, avoiding any touch as they surged to Logan. He tugged an ear here, slapped a flank there, as if their sharp teeth and slitted yellow eyes weren’t something from a child’s nightmares.
    The evil horse-creature stood in the middle of someone’s prized flower bed, using his large, strong teeth to pull up the plants by the roots. His jet black coat gleamed, his long mane and tail flowing in a non-existent breeze. He might have been mistaken for a valuable stallion, until he looked up. Trina glanced away from the uncanny intelligence lurking in his red malevolent eyes and shoved one more queasy feeling down into her stomach. She was a MacElvy. She would not fall apart.
    “Do you have to eat these flowers, Solanum?” Logan asked as he mounted the creature. “Can’t you eat the wild ones by the side of the lane?”
    The beast shook his head. “These taste better. They’re flavored with care and concern.”
    “Maybe Eirc will think it’s the deer eating them.” The elf held out his hand. “Come on lass, hop up.”
    “Where are you taking me? Do we have to go through another portal?” she asked, angry that she couldn’t control the wobble in her voice.
    “No. It's not so far as that.” He sat, hand out, as Solanum ripped up clumps of purple asters.
    Trina studied Logan. Twenty-four hours ago, he’d been a complete stranger and someone whom she wouldn’t have volunteered to stand next to. Now, he was her only safety net, a slender buffer between herself, the queen, and certain death. He waited, while she made her decision and weighed her options.
    There were none. She took his proffered hand and swung up in front of him.
    Sidesaddle on Solanum, Trina endeavored to keep some kind of space between her silk-covered ass and Logan’s groin. She tugged the ridiculous skirt down and ignored the