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My eyes rushed to hers to see if she noticed anything unusual. Her eyes were wide when they held mine. Then, something sparked brightly between us, like the magic that rushed through us, and I glanced away.
By Another Name
Taking another deal with the huntsman was stupid. I had to stop taking and offering bargains. The power of it was intoxicating. With the huntsman, everything felt heavy. I hated it, but I had to admit, as I left the small village with him at my side, I felt safer. I still couldn’t believe he had slept in my room last night and hadn't killed me or tried anything. And I had slept soundly, deeply, knowing he was there. Did I have a death wish? What in the Underworld was wrong with me?
My eyes swept over his profile. His hood was down, which made him less imposing. He was a purposeful, well-muscled man. You didn’t get the reputation of a monster slayer from sitting around. He needed to be strong and confident for that kind of job.
The bandage remained around his neck. Before we left, he had seen the healer and got herbs and salves to stave off infection. The demon wolves could have poison on their teeth—per legend. So, the huntsman could drop dead at any moment. I even informed him so, and he’d laughed at me.Laughed.
He glanced at me, those blue-gray eyes sparkling in the bright sunlight. “I can see the wheels spinning in your head. What do you wish to ask?”
I should have held my tongue, but I didn’t give a rat's ass about offending him at this point. “I’m simply curious why the demon wolves of the Underworld attackedyou. Considering you are their brethren, aren’t you? You must be a demon personified to do whatever you do for the queen. Killing innocents, stealing babies—I don’t even want to think of the other horrors.”
“Stealing… babies—”
“You were going to kill me forno reason! Who knows what other horrid things you do!”
His eyes held mine for such an uncomfortable time that I swallowed back any further retort. He may kill me yet. Ishouldtread more carefully, but I had never been good about treading lightly.
I jerked and startled Tavere when he threw his head back and laughed. It was deep and alluring from somewhere hidden within him.
When he finally stopped laughing, he said, “I’ll have you know, I have yet to steal any babies.”
“But you do other unsavory things.” It wasn’t a question. I knew he did. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to know exactly what.
“There’s no use denying it. You already know the answer.”
“Why?” The question slipped past my lips without my consent, and I was sure he wouldn’t answer.
He sobered from his laughter with a deep sigh. “I have a contract with the queen.”
“Contracts will get us all killed, one way or another, won’t they?”
His eyes swept over me, searing my soul in ways I didn’t understand.
“You have no idea how right you are, fair maiden.”
We reached Demora’s borders just before nightfall. I thought the huntsman would turn tail and be on his way as soon as we reached the gate, but he followed me through the gates. He then procured a room at the inn, stating that it was too late to call upon the castle royals.Not proper, he’d said. I didn’t know if that was true or not, and I wasn’t really in a rush, so I allowed it.
“You don’t have to stay. I’m fine.”
We had a deal, but I wanted to be on my way and not have him tailing me, hoping he could fulfill his debt. Then kill me, probably, to stay true to his contract with the queen. I wasn’t stupid. I could see this playing out, and I was a little scared to have him around, but I also felt safer traveling withsomeone—especially someone that looked like this huntsman.
“I recall what happened last night. I am unsure you are safe—”
“I had things handled before you came along.” While that may have been true, it also wasn’t entirely accurate. That situation could have quickly gone south for me had he not shown up, but I’d never tell him that. The way his eyes twinkled at my retort, it was clear he already knew, so I swallowed past foolish pride. “Thank you, anyway, though. For—” I fluttered my hands. “All that you did.”
He arched a prominent brow, clearly not expecting my gratitude.
We ate the stew provided by the innkeeper in silence. The huntsman was companionable. He didn’t feel the need to fill voids of silence with idle chatter or anything else, and I enjoyed that part of his demeanor. Although, he was probably just distant, so it would be easier to kill me.
My eyes followed his strong profile, the rugged chin that had a few days of stubble but didn’t cover the scar there, and the tawny hair that was just a little longer on the top than the sides in a striking fashion.
I wanted to hate him. He had intended to murder me and probably would have succeeded had it not been for the wolf. I didn’t like him. I wanted him out of my life. But hate? I just didn’t feel it.
The room he bought had two beds pushed against the opposite walls with a window between them. It was perfectly comfortable and homey. I hadn’t asked about the room, just followed him up the stairs—exhaustion wrenching through me. I still hadn’t recovered from the days and nights of horrible events that had all stacked up in my life. Iro had stayed away, so the huntsman didn’t see him, but I missed the bird. I wanted an update on Ativan, so I needed to shake the hunter.
“Huntsman, we must part ways tomorrow. It is silly for you to follow me. I’m fine, seriously.”
