Page 15 of Queen of War and Ruin

Although, by the way the man leading the group keeps looking at her, I think that trade is exactly what he has in mind.

My hand tightens around my mare’s lead rope. The light is fading fast, and I’m half tempted to tell Zarek we should just leave, ride off into the darkness once everyone falls asleep. But from the look of that damn stallion, he would notice.

My gut shifts around the meal we just shared with the smugglers. I’m still not sure what it was, and I didn’t want to ask. Zarek helped them cook it, and I joined the women who were washing the battered tin plates and cups, imitating what they were doing. My hands still ache from the hot water.

The group of smugglers was silent as we ate. I couldn’t tell if it was because they’re tired or if they just don’t trust us.

If it’s the latter, the feeling is mutual. I drop my hand to pat my leg through the rough linen pants Agnes gave me. I’m still wearing the dagger from Zarek. The gods only know what Agnes must have thought when I arrived at her cabin, half dead and streaked with blood, with a dagger strapped to my thigh. But she didn’t say anything, and when I woke up, the dagger and its sheath were sitting on the table in my room.

I’m glad for it now. I’m starting to see why Zarek wears so many knives.

I pull the saddle off my mare, then untie her lead rope. She snorts and drops to the ground, rolling in the thick grass. I put her saddle down, then do the same for Zarek’s gelding.

“Is this what you thought it’d be like?” A man’s rough voice cuts through the growing darkness.

I jump. When I turn around, Toth stands behind me, framed by the light of the dying fire.

“A fine young thing like you,” Toth continues, stepping closer. “Traveling hard, sleeping rough. What would your daddy say?”

My throat pulls tight, and my chest aches. I think of my father leaving his carriage, waving Mel aside. Vanishing into the massive tent beneath the blue and scarlet flag of Vsenrog.

“You’ve had it pretty soft, ain’t you?” Toth asks, in a lower voice. “You don’t even know how to do the washing up.”

I turn away, shame burning in my cheeks. I thought I did a good job with the dishes. I didn’t think anyone would be able to tell I’d never done it before.

Toth takes a step closer. I pull back, glancing at the fire, looking for Zarek. I don’t see him.

“Pretty girl like you,” Toth says. “I bet Daddy’s got a reward for your return, don’t he?”

“M-My husband will be right here—” I stammer.

Toth laughs, cutting me off.

“I sent him ahead to scout the road,” Toth replies, taking another step closer to me. I can smell him now, the sting of sweat and something hard and cold, like iron. “Told him it was the least he could do, seeing as how we took you strays in.” His eyes glint in the firelight. “Because we have something to discuss here, you and me.”

“You and I,” I reply, reflexively.

Toth grunts, then spits at my feet. “Don’t get cute with me.”

I try to swallow, but my throat has gone dry. The saddle is at my ankles, stopping me from backing up any further. I could scream, but hells, would anyone in the little camp come to help?

Toth leans in, his hot breath washing over my face.

“How much of a reward, do you think?” he asks.

“What?”

“Your daddy,” Toth sneers. “How much do you think he’s offering to bring you back?”

I open my mouth to say my father is dead, then think better of it.

“I doubt he’s offering anything,” I snap.

Toth laughs, low and rough. “Look, lady, this can work out good for both of us. You really want to stick with the raggedy bastard who dragged you here? Or you want to go on home, sleep in a bed again?”

My eyes sting. Home? Where is that?

“I could bring you home,” Toth says.