Page 4

She arches one brow skeptically. “I told you not to call me lady, and is that pride or stupidity speaking?”

I gasp in mock affront. “You wound me! I thought my constitution the very picture of health? You don’t even know my name, and yet you feel comfortable enough to insult me so.”

“The picture of stubbornness refusing to acknowledge his limits, more like.” Her eyes glint.

I put a hand to my heart. “I know when I am beaten. Very well, divine healer. I shall submit to one more day of your restorative care or whenever the gods will ease their stormy anger outside.”

She gives a solemn nod. “A wise choice.” The corner of her mouth quirks in a hint of a smile. “So, what should I call you?”

A laugh escapes me.You’re curious, aren’t you?“Draven. The name’s Draven.”

We share a look of amusement at our huffy formalities disguising mutual understanding. Thorn’s company provides a comfort and challenge I have not known before. Our banter comes easy as breathing, our true thoughts spoken in the spaces between sarcasm.

I must learn her secrets, and I’m not leaving this cottage until I do.

She putters around the cottage, sneaking glances at me when she thinks I don’t notice.Yes, I see you, Green Eyes. Who are you trying to kid with that timid deer act?

Don’t get me wrong, the skittish thing is kind of cute, but I know there’s more to Thorn than her humble peasant garb suggests. Beneath those wide emerald eyes glimmers sharp intelligence. How do I get past her prickly exterior to uncover whatever secrets she’s hiding? I’m not necessarily curious. I justdon’t like not knowing things, which is totally different, right?

I give her my most disarming grin. “So… I don’t think I caught where exactly we are?”

She tenses over the herbs she’s grinding, like she wants to make a run for it. “Remote areas. Doubt you would know this region.”

I chuckle. “Oh, I’m a man of many talents, sweetheart. Try me.”

Her eyes narrow at the casual endearment. That’s right. Take the bait. Let’s see some of that fiery spirit I caught a glimpse of earlier.

“The Sylvain Forest,” she replies after a pause. “South of the mountains.”

Well, what do you know? The little witch is right. This neck of the woods is remote, mostly uncharted except by creatures and not of the human variety. What’s a woman like her doing in the big bad forest all by her lonesome?

I study Thorn as she goes back to grinding herbs. Wisps of black hair escape her braid, framing delicate features set in concentration. She’s kinda cute when she’s focused. You know, in an unaware, woodland creature type of way. Doesn’t hold a candle to thecourt ladies I’m used to back home, though something about her still draws me in.

I give my head a shake. I need to focus. Time to turn on that old Valisar charm and get what I want.

“Well then, my mysterious forest nymph, might I know the name of the lovely woman who rescued this lowly traveler?” I flash a smile guaranteed to slay.

She bristles, shoulders tensing. Ooh, struck a nerve there.

That prim mouth of hers presses into a firm line. “I told you Thorn will do.”

I clutch my heart dramatically. “You wound me! After all we’ve shared? Come now, humor a man whose life you saved.”

Her eyes flash green fire. There it is, that latent spark just under the surface. My grin widens.Looks like I’m getting somewhere with you after all, sweet cheeks. What else ya got?

“Just. Thorn.” Each word clips out sharply. “And I don’t appreciate your endless questions or foolish flattery, so leave off.”

She turns away, effectively shutting me down. For now, anyway. I don’t deter that easily. Everything about this woman rubs me the wrong way somehow…which makes me even more determined to unravel her.

Game on, Thorny. I’m just getting started with you.

3

Thorn

This man is going to be the death of me and not in the romantic, destined soulmates type of way. More in the “I’m about to strangle him with my bare hands” type of way.

I aggressively work the dough, imagining Draven’s perfect smirking face in place of the innocent lump of bread. Punch, fold, flip. Punch, fold, flip. It’s therapeutic usually.