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“Oh, so do I, Count Hastings. I want nothing more, but I must get back. But, first, we must find Lady Snow. Then, perhaps I can visit again?”
“I would like that very much, dear.”
“As would I,” she said, fluttering her lashes and peeking at him beneath them.
Hastings's eyes flashed with interest and desire as he kissed her hands.
“Until we meet again,” he said smoothly.
She giggled girlishly and turned away.
We exited the castle of Demora, no worse for wear, even if we’d spent half the day dealing with the Count’s bullshit. I glanced at Autumn’s profile as we returned to the gate to our horses. She seemed lost in thought.
“Did it pain you not to take credit for the weapons?”
Her eyes snapped to mine with the truth written on her face. She was the one who’d crafted the weapons, or at least was far more involved in them than I’d assumed.
“I… It didn’t. I rarely get credit for the weapons, anyway.”
That was unfair, but women seldom made weapons. It was a man’s work, but female weaponsmiths weren’t unheard of. It was rare for a woman to be as good with a bow and blade as Autumn was. Women were incredible creatures, and I think men didn’t dare encourage them to use weapons for fear they would never need us for anything.
“Since Autumn Snow is dead, I will never get credit for my craft, so I might as well get used to it, right?”
I swallowed. Autumn’s resignation and acceptance of her lack of recognition wrenched my heart more than I wanted to admit. I hated that the situation with the queen had derailed Autumn’s life. It wasn’t reasonable or fair, but she and I had no choice. Unfortunately, it was what had to be.
“Why don’t we go spend some money in the city?”
She lifted her brow, and it adorably scrunched her forehead. “Wouldn’t our story be ruined by a shopping trip in the city when we are supposed to be looking for someone?”
“Count Hastings suggested it, didn’t he?”
She chuckled. “I suppose he did.”
I stopped her with my arm and looked at her thoughtfully. “Autumn, those blades were beyond any work I’ve ever seen. I don’t need to know how much time, effort, and your exact role in crafting them, but I must commend you and your father. Your work is incredible. Legendary in a way not seen in decades.” I paused and cocked my head. “Perhaps has never been seen, if I’m being honest.”
Her lips lifted at my praise, and light sparkled in her eyes. Pride and something more I couldn’t read.
“Thank you,” Autumn said delicately. She didn’t need to elaborate on her role. Autumn wasn’t in it for the glory or recognition, and it was evident that she loved making weapons from the manner she handled and polished them. It was endearing and beautiful—something I had never expected to see.
This woman was light in the darkness I had forgotten was even possible. It amazed me just as it had two mornings ago. Maybe if we lived, she would always awe me. Conceivably if my blade never carved out her heart, if I could ensure her survival, it would redeem me for the horrors I had committed in the past four years.
When my lips lifted into a smile, her eyes swept over my face, to my lips. I sucked in a deep breath. If I was to ensure her survival, we needed to part ways soon, but… I found I didn’t want to leave her. I wanted to remain in her company, and that was damn dangerous for all of us.
The Ribbon
The huntsman bought me a ribbon. It was laughable, but my heart thudded painfully in my chest as he held the red ribbon up against my head.
“For your hair, fair maiden.”
“What?”
He chuckled. “To tie the end of your braid. I thought…” He shrugged and looked unsure for the first time, lacking his usual confidence.
I took the ribbon slowly from his fingers, my eyes on his. When our fingers touched, I looked away and swallowed. Something about this man was endearing.
A murderer, Autumn. He’s a fucking murderer!
We stood close as the brush of bodies in the market bustled around us. The huntsman was a head taller than me and massive, so people stayed out of his way. But they rudely brushed against me, and I had to stand close to him to avoid them. I felt the heat from his body and caught his scent of leather and dark wood. He consumed his space.
