Page 96 of Soul of Fire

Ingrid?Kindra growled and sat up.Who is this Ingrid?

“The queen?” I clarified aloud, trying to soothe Kindra’s temper. She settled, but she still growled under her breath. “You need to save your sister?”

“Aye,” Arne stilled, looking at me as if for the first time. “The bastard locked her away, and I couldnae get her out alone. Not in this state.” Arne began to struggle again. “Now will ye let me go, she-devil?”

“There’s no way you can ride for three days back to Stormhold,” I said, trying to keep my voice even as Jorgen and Branka held him down. “It’s unfathomable you even made it out of the castle like this.”

“Aye, well, it’s not my first time being poisoned.” Arne grumbled, staring daggers at Jorgen, who was still holding his arms. “Realized what happened when I started feeling poorly. Thought I got it all up. Must have been too late. Had to tie myself to my horse to keep from toppling off until that lad found me.”

He is strong.Kindra sounded far too pleased about this.

He’s insufferable.I shook my head, completely baffled by this man and his iron constitution. “Why are you out here? Why not stay at Stormhold?”

“I was going for backup.” He scowled, as if I were personally responsible for all of his problems. “At Østrheim.”

“That’s another five days’ ride,” Jorgen choked out.

“Aye, which is why I need to leave.” Arne struggled against Jorgen’s hold halfheartedly.

“Was there no one at Stormhold who might help you?” Branka asked, looking for all the world like a queen astride a noble mount, despite Arne’s kicking. “Your guards?”

“Didnae bring any guards.” Arne sat up a little taller, his legs stilling. “They’re protecting my people, which is why I need togo.”

He is honorable, Kindra crooned.

He’s an idiot,I corrected.

“Not until I say you’re fit,” I added aloud, making a second attempt at forcing some sustenance down his throat.

Arne eyed the spoon like I was trying to poison him. Again. “And who are you, exactly?”

“Only the woman who stayed up half the night making sure you didn’t die,” Branka said, her voice so indignant, I could have kissed her. “You should be thanking her and doing exactly what she says.”

“Branka.” I gave her a look that I hoped communicatednotto tell Arne what we knew. “Don’t.”

Arne glowered at Branka, and then at me again, but his body remained still. “Fine. Ye can let go, I willnae struggle. Feed me the damned broth.”

Jorgen glanced at me before tentatively releasing Arne’s arms.

At a nod from me, Branka slid off the bed, twisting to crack her back with a wince. “Was that all really necessary?”

“No,” I said stiffly, tipping the spoon against Arne’s lips. He slurped down the broth loudly, glaring at me the entire time. “Someone insisted on acting like an ass.”

“I will eat this damned broth, and then I’ll be on my way,” Arne said, accepting another spoonful of the soup. A little spilled into his graying beard, and his eyes flashed in annoyance. “Agreed?”

“Not agreed,” I said, trying to make myself comfortable on the edge of the bed. It was too narrow, and it put me too close to Arne’s scent and heat.

Mine, Kindra growled.

Control yourself, you scaly harlot.

A harlot lies with many men,Kindra corrected.I just want the one.

Elysia’s fucking tits, I could not do this. Taking a deep breath, I held the bowl and spoon out to Arne. “Can you manage this, or do you still need my help?”

Arne snatched the bowl from my hand so quickly, half the soup splashed over the sheets. He ignored it, lifting the bowl to his lips and slurping down its contents in a single gulp.

It would have been horrifying to watch, if not for the bob of his throat. Kindra very much liked the bob of his throat.