Huntsman Read Online Free Page A

seeing to her return home. They left an hour ago.”
    Harka looked around at the sparsely populated hall and said, “Oh. Well, I had better get myself home then.”
    “Allow me to see you home. You have had some wine and are tired. You should not be driving.”
    She couldn’t fault his logic, but… “I am going to have to bring my vehicle home tomorrow. This just makes an extra trip for me.”
    “I will have them deliver it to your home. Shall I take you home?”
    There was no reason not to go with him, so she nodded. “Please. I have to do payroll sometime tomorrow, so a good night’s sleep and a clear head would be helpful.”
    They left the observatory and he gave the officer in charge of the vehicles her address. It would be delivered by dawn.
    He gave the same address to his driver and tucked her into one of the state vehicles.
    She sat next to him on the seat and settled in for a one-hour drive. “I am sorry if this takes you out of your way. I got my new accommodations near my café. For convenience.”
    “It is no problem. I have been working with the Horalthian archives and organizing some of their data-retrieval devices. I have a few days off coming to me.”
    She smiled, and to her surprise, he put his arm around her and pulled her in to rest against him. She inhaled his scent and smiled at the dazzling familiarity. Her body knew his, and she had no idea why.
    Tentatively, she placed her hand on his chest, and his heartbeat thudded under her palm. It was the shortest one-hour ride of her life.
    When he walked her to the door and saw her inside, she was uncharacteristically quiet. He smiled when he saw her living room. “Books.”
    She blushed. “I have always had a thing for books, but lately, I have been having a dream about a room filled from floor to rafters on every wall. I plan to make that a reality.”
    He turned her to him and kissed her slowly. She went up on her toes, her sore feet forgotten for the moment, and returned it with interest.
    He pulled her tight against him and their kiss increased in intensity. She wanted him, wanted to feel him against her indefinitely.
    Derin slowed their connection and shuddered as he backed away. “I will wish you good evening then. It has been illuminating, Harka.”
    She followed him to the door and called out, “Six months in your mind and this is all I get?”
    He paused and slowly turned. “You know?”
    “There was something in the way you laughed when I babbled, and when you kissed me, I was sure. You were the patient I was with.”
    He nodded. “I was. What do you remember?”
    “It isn’t memory precisely, it is sensations, the feeling of repeating the first moments, that sort of thing.”
    Derin smiled, “May I call upon you tomorrow?”
    “I will be at the café most of the day doing paperwork, but sure, you can come visit me there.”
    “I will see you tomorrow then, or should I say, later today.” He winked and walked off with a swing in his stride.
    She watched him go until the doorway dug into her shoulder. With a sigh of regret, she closed the door and locked it. “Until tomorrow then.”
     
    Her small café was bustling, but she hogged her spot in the corner booth, working on the payroll and watching for a visitor. Mid-morning, her vigilance was rewarded.
    Derin, two other Edinar and Sno came in. Harka hid in the shadows while they were shown to a seat.
    She quickly verified all the hours and signed off on the paperwork before tidying it in a file.
    The server came by and said, “The cute one is asking for you.”
    Harka nodded and slipped to the back to put the paperwork in the manager’s office. When she returned, she had made sure that her hair was neat and her clothing straight. She stepped out and into the bustling room, waving to a few regulars.
    Derin’s features lit up when he saw her. “Harka, I am glad we were able to find you here.”
    Sno waved, but she was snuggled up against the largest Edinar that Harka had yet