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Rage slowly filled my gut. I would end this battle and go for Feiskedr next if he did not release my tribute. With a quick lunge forward that surprised my opponent, I sliced across his neck, removing his head in one quick movement. I was striding for Simon before the body even hit the ground.

“Release him, Feiskedr!” Orthorr demanded. “Your man has lost!”

Feiskedr bared his teeth at Orthorr and tightened his grip. “And whose clan made the challenge? We should be given the whore as payment for our losses.”

Orthorr attempted diplomacy in getting Feiskedr to listen. Simon was less patient. The minute I was close enough, he snatched a small blade from my belt, slicing across Feiskedr’s arm to force him to release him. He said something in the common tongue that made Feiskedr glare at him, but he did not move to touch Simon again. He took a step back, out of range of Simon’s blade, and shot Orthorr a dirty look.

“When other clans find out you have sunk so low as to claim a whore, they will want nothing to do with you. You outcast yourself for the sake of a used hole.”

I growled, stepping forward to defend Simon’s honor, but Orthorr stopped me with a raised hand.

“You outcast yourself with your dishonorable actions, Feiskedr. Leave this place. You are not welcome here.”

For a moment, it looked like Feiskedr would start a war, regardless of the outcome. His expression didn’t waver until Simon said something else, his tone challenging.

Feiskedr sneered at him, but whatever Simon had said seemed to force him to back down. He shot one last scathing look at Orthorr before spinning on his heel and marching away, his clan following behind him. The rest of the warriors of our clan followed them to ensure they left, but I could not. I could not leave Simon.

From now on, he would never leave my side again.

Ten

“Will you seriously go to war over a used hole? If you do, you’re just as pathetic as they are for claiming me.”

My comment seemed to stop the asshole before he did something stupid. He sneered at me, but was smart enough to back off. I watched the asshole go to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid. Getting out of dangerous situations wasn’t my only skill while holding a blade. I also had an enviable aim with them. I could take the bastard down before he even thought to do anything stupid. But he didn’t turn back. I’d insulted him when I insinuated he was pathetic if he went to war over me.

The familiar warmth of Feigrind’s hand wrapped around my elbow, turning me slowly. He looked concerned, his free hand cupping my face as he checked me over. I wasn’t going to tell him I was fine– it’d be a lie. But I’d get over it. It wasn’t the first time some asshole tried to force himself on me. In my line of work, it probably wouldn’t be the last.

“He needs to see Zoya,” Finn’s quiet voice cut in. I shot him a dirty look.

“I’m fine.”

He shook his head, his eyes wide and fearful. Probably not because of me. He constantly looked over my shoulder, as if he were afraid that Feiskedr would come back. His bondmate had left with the others to ensure the visiting clan had left. He was scared and all alone. Ugh. I wished that didn’t make me feel bad for him. I understood what it was like to be smaller and relatively defenseless.

“N-not you, though I was going to ask. I meant Feigrind.” He pointed at Feigrind’s chest. My gaze dropped, and I sucked in a sharp breath, gaping at the barbarian incredulously.

“What the hell? Why are we just standing here? I didn’t see him get hurt!”

Feigrind didn’t seem to care either way that he was bleeding, but I cared. He’d risked his life to save mine. He’d challenged my attacker to a duel to the death. Literally cut the man’s head off for hurting me. I didn’t want him in any pain.

Grabbing the hand cupping my face, I dragged him away from the village center, looking over my shoulder at Finn when he didn’t immediately follow.

“Well? Hurry up! I don’t know where the hell I’m going!”

Finn jumped, surprised, and scurried after me, pointing out the way to the healing tent. He left us there and went to find the healer while I forced Feigrind to sit on the stupid pallet of uncomfortable blankets so I could look at him better. The cut didn’t seem that deep, but I wasn’t a damn healer, and it stretched across his chest. It might be worse than it looked.

Thankfully, the healer didn’t dillydally. She came into the tent at a brisk pace and went straight for Feigrind, forcing him to lie down on the pallet. She nudged me to his other side, ignoring my frown.

“You’re in my light. Sit over there.”

I understood her request, but I still glared at her. She didn’t have to be such a bitch about it.

Sitting beside Feigrind, I watched her work. She cleaned the cut and put a salve on it, wrapping it up while telling Feigrind he would be fine. He didn’t look worried about it. He was more focused on me. I didnotget butterflies because of his intense attention. I wasn’t that pathetic.

Once she was finished, she finally looked up at me, her expression guarded. “Finn said you were attacked. Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” I replied tersely. I didn't want her help. She obviously didn’t like me, and the feeling was mutual.

She didn’t argue or demand to look me over. She just pushed to her feet and walked away to wash her hands in a bowl of water on the table against the far wall.