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"What… what are my duties, as your… tribute?" she asked. But even though she tried to make the last part sound teasing, I heard the insecurity in her voice.
I turned around to face her. "Like I told you, be there when I need a kiss," I teased.
"As much as I like kissing you, you don't expect me to follow you around all day, do you?" She sounded a bit worried, hurting my pride.
"Would that be so awful?"
"No, no of course not," she said, lowering her gaze and moving her foot in a circle, clearly uncomfortable with the need to be productive. "It's just… you said you could use another horse handler, and I'm good, really good and—"
"Alahna," I said, smiling down at her.
"Yes?"
"Look at me."
She lifted her head, and the conflict reflected on her face made me chuckle. "As much as I enjoy your company, I do have to train with my warriors, and I doubt they would keep all their appendages attached if they got distracted by your presence."
"So you don't want me with you all day?"
"I want you to be happy here, Alahna, and if that means you spend your day in the stables with that gods-awful horse of yours, then by all means…" I waved my hand.
"Samju is not that awful," she quickly defended the horse from dubnos before my words must have penetrated her mind and she smiled so beautifully it lit up the room. "You mean I can work with the horses?"
I nodded. "Kar."
She slung her arms around me and kissed me.Shekissedme!
It surprised me, but only for a moment, then I pressed her delicious body against mine and conquered her mouth with my tongue.
"Not today though," I said when our lips parted.
I decided she looked adorable when she was confused and let her be puzzled for a moment before I took mercy on her and explained, "After breakfast, we will ride out for one last hunt of the season. I was hoping you would accompany me."
The brilliant smile returned, and I kissed her one more time before I carried her to my furs to ravage her before we ate.
Istillwasn'tsurewhat my future held or what my role was in the warlord's household, but I decided to take it one day at a time. The cold season was upon us anyway and I feared that once we returned to the Comden sun's orbit, announcing the end of the cold season, Brogan would tire of me. So I decided I would make the most of whatever was between us for however long it would last.
Mollifying myself with the thought that there were worse lots in life than being a warlord's mistress, I rode side by side with him through the dying forest.
It never failed to amaze me how the forests simply seemed to die during the cold season, only to make a full rebirth when our side of Thyre returned to the Comden sun's orbit. Maybe dying wasn't the right word, although it sure looked like it. Dormant was probably a better expression for it.
Most animals went into hibernation inside the numerous hollowed-out trees and caves in the surrounding mountains, and I wasn't sure what game Brogan thought to slay today. I simply enjoyed what was probably the last ride of the season.
His horse, Vespa, and Samju were already in a tight competition for lead horse in our group and many times Brogan or I had to pull our overeager steeds back as one attempted to nip at the other.
The other members of our group fell behind, but neither Brogan nor I minded as we let our horses have free rein, hoping to tire them out enough to stop nipping at each other.
We reached a clearing, and Brogan pulled Vespa short. I followed his example because I too sensed something off even before I noticed the trampled, blood-stained grass.
Nervously, first Vespa and then Samju whinnied. They smelled the blood as well, and probably something else.
Samju didn't like it when Brogan pulled Vespa protectively in front of us, but I didn't give him a choice as my head turned this way and that searching for the threat all four of us sensed.
Brogan pulled his sword. "Stay here," he hissed.
He handed me Vespa's reins as he dismounted, and my heart lurched into my throat. "Be careful."
He arrogantly grinned up at me. "We did come here to hunt, czira."
