Page 49

Honestly, had he ever met Indi and Iver?

I all but glowered at him, then turned for the door. I had to leave before I lost my mind, in part because of the three of them trying to suffocate me, but also because those cuts made him look so good I wanted to scream.

“It’s been long enough,” I said as I went. I yanked the door open and headed out into the cool night air, making it only to the corner of the building before Roan caught up.

“Slow down, will you?”

I didn’t. The truth was, ever since he’d touched my hand and run his fingers through my hair in the canoe, I’d been too aware of him in every way, and it was driving me mad. I thought of him entirely too much. If he moved or spoke or drug a hand through his hair, I was noticing it. My eyes kept seeking him out, and my body hummed in response to every little thing he did.

I just wanted to get away.

“You’ve been trying to lose me all day,” he said, his shoulder coming side by side with mine.

“And you’ve been trying—trying to stick to me.”

“You know I have to. Baer wants—”

“Roan Faasval, ever the obedient one. Tell me, why do you try so hard to make that man happy?”

That surprised him. His gait faltered, and I used the opportunity to get back ahead, leading the way through huts to get to our own. It was overcast and raining off and on, and it brought cold air with it. I liked this weather. It fit my mood.

He didn’t hesitate long. In a moment, he was back on my heels, whispering loudly.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you pushing me away again?”

I frowned. “What?”

“This is always how it is with you. You push me away. Then something happens, and we start to get along. Next thing I know, you’re closing yourself off again.”

I stopped and whirled around on him, my finger digging into his chest. Touching him for the first time. My body flared with heat, and I tried—desperate—to tamp it down.

“How dare you,” I hissed. “I amangry. And I have every reason to be. Don’t make it sound like I’m unreasonable.”

“I didn’t mean that you’re unreasonable—”

“And stop acting like a husband.”

At that, he stilled, a strange energy humming between us. There was a wild look in his eyes, and he took a step closer, showing off the height he had on me. I had to tip my chin up to hold his gaze, and my finger pressed harder into his chest.

His voice was low when he said, “If I was acting like your husband, I’d pull you into my arms and kiss yousenselessright now.”

The words seemed to surprise him as much as they did me. We stared at each other. After a few moments, I pulled my hand back to my side. His cheeks flushed with color, and I felt a bit like hehadkissed me senseless. I let out a frustrated breath and shook my head, then turned and walked back to the hut.

“That came out wrong,” he said, following.

I didn’t want to hear it. I threw open the blue-green door and stormed in, heading straight for the kettle—until I saw the two men by the hearthand stopped dead. Roan hadn’t seen them yet. He shoved the door shut and huffed.

“Fine. Don’t listen. That’s—”

There was a moment of silence as the four of us looked between each other. One of the men stepped forward, smiling.

“Apologies for surprising you. We’re from Runehall’s clan and are going around starting fires in all the hearths. It’s a sign of goodwill from our elders and clansmen, and we hope you’ll accept our offering.”

Normal enough, but the other man—the one with the dark hair—stared at me with a look I didn’t like. It was recognition, and he walked towards me slowly.

“We appreciate it. Thank you,” Roan said, coming around and standing just in front of me.

The man stopped short. He wore the silver broach of an elder over his heart, but instead of clouds, his bore flames.