Ivy looks me straight in the eye, and my heart flutters like the wings of a moth when I recall how we almost kissed. Any affection she may have harboured for me is long gone now, though. I hate to ruin her perfect illusion of me, but I am no fairytale prince. I’m an evil faerie. One who hunts and kills bunnies.
“Move out of my way.”
I lean closer until we’re inches from another kiss. “No. You’ve seen the rations. We’re running short. So, you’re going to learn how to hunt and skin a rabbit. Do I make myself clear?”
She holds up a haughty chin. “That wasn’t a part of our bargain.”
My jaw ticks. She’s got me there.
Yet, it doesn’t stop me from digging my claws in that little bit further, creating grooves in the old wood.
I hate to be proven wrong, but she’s right. I’ve already taken so much; I would be overstepping a line if I expected anything more from her.
Plus, I would be breaching the terms of our contract. It’s bound in magic.
But fuck magic. I’m not about to let her starve herself.
It's unlikely, but anything could happen to me out here. I may have a long life ahead of me, but I can still die. Ivy would be on her own if I perished, completely and utterly helpless, and that thought doesn’t bode well with me.
She cocks her head, regarding me curiously. “Why do you care so much if I starve?”
My mind empties of all rational thought. Then my mouth moves, trying to form words, but nothing comes.
My silence seems to say it all, and she closes her eyes, giving me a silent nod. “All right. I will join you.”
Thank goodness.I withdraw my claws from the table.
I step aside, giving her back her personal space, and she finally makes her way to her room.
I address her back. “Meet me outside at first light. We have a long day tomorrow.”
She stops, peering briefly over her shoulder. Then she nods quietly and vanishes up the tunnel.
With a huff, I fall into a chair, massaging my temples.
Teaching her is going to be hard work.
16
Tegwyn
Ifindherwaitingoutside at first light, bundled up in her blue velvet cloak.
Her teeth chatter as she gazes at the snow, her breath fogging the frigid air. She really isn’t made for the north at all. Thank the goddess she came to her senses and finally decided to join me on a morning hunt. I know I’m insufferable to be around, but she needs to do this.
Gentle flurries drift from an overcast sky, coating the slope in a fine frosting of snow. Winter is coming quicker than I expected.
I hand her my quiver, and she looks at me, puzzled. “Why are you giving me this?”
I shrug. “Thought you would appreciate the honour.”
Her eyes find the longbow slung across my shoulder. “Well, how about the longbow? Can I hold that, too?”
I cover the longbow with my fleece. “You most certainly can’t. You’re not quite there yet,princess. So, it’s just the quiver for you, for now.”
She tosses me a withering look, then marches out of the cave with her chin held high.
A snigger escapes me. She hates it when I call herprincess.
