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Every fiber in her being screamed at her to make a run for it. To dash away and never come back. But she held herself still and watched him coolly. There was too much riding on this mission: her freedom, her safety, her life.

Running wasn’t an option.

“What do you want?” She bottled the fear deep inside her, but her voice came out small like a frightened child’s.

Blár tilted his head to the side. He was lean and towering, every bit the monster of her dreams. He had grown broader, bigger, and stronger from the last time she had seen him. He also lost some of his boyish looks, though there was a hint of youthful mischief in his features.

It was hard to believe that this monstrous man was only two years older than her.

“The Royal Guards are reaaally losing it if they think having you on their side is an advantage.” A cool breeze froze her bones. His lips pulled back to reveal glistening white teeth; his smile was chilling. “What are you trying to accomplish by being out here, fae? And how’s your leg doing?”

Kolfinna’s heart thundered loudly in her ears. The more she stared at him—the mussed black hair, the mocking smile, the crisp uniform—the more her stomach churned. She was positive she was a few shades paler. She wanted to vomit. She wanted to run away. She wanted him to disappear. Forever.

The wind brushed her shoulders and carried the scent of wildflowers, as if reminding her she was in the folds of the forest, where her magic was the strongest. She would be fine, she told herself. She could use the forest to run away if it came to it.

Kolfinna squared her shoulders as she came to her feet and tried to appear as calm as still water. “I’m here because they need me.”

“They need you?” His eyes narrowed. “Are you serious?”

“I am.” Her hands trembled, so she clenched them tightly. “If I succeed in this mission, I’ll be free and I’ll be able to become a Royal Guard. You can’t hurt me.”

“You’re a fae. Since when did your kind grovel at the feet of the Royal Guards?”

“Fae folk can be just like you, or anyone else. We should be able to join the military or live our lives.” Kolfinna’s voice wavered. “Why is it so hard to imagine us being normal?”

“Because you’re not.” He leaned against the tree, his broad back flattening the mushrooms she had been admiring a few minutes ago. “You’re not normal. You never will be. What kind of fantasy are you living in? You’re a monster.”

Kolfinna shivered as another cold waft filled the forest clearing. “I don’t want to hear that from you.”

“I’ll ask again.” His eyes glowed and birds flew away violently. The temperature continued to drop. “Why are you here?”

Another chill rattled her core. “I’m here because Fenris said I have to be here. You’re here because you’re part of the military. We’re both following orders.”

“Fair enough.” His laughter grated against her ears. “But I’m not buying it. You must have some sort of ulterior motive. What did they offer you for you to join them? Money? Freedom? Or was it just to pardon your crimes?”

“I’m sorry, but I wasn’t under the impression that we were close.” Kolfinna took a step back, and then another. “Why should I tell you any of that? We’re not friends.”

“We’ll be working together—”

“Unfortunately,” she cut in.

His eyebrows rose for a split second—as if surprised she had stood up to him—but then his smile grew wide and more sinister. “Yes, unfortunately. And, unfortunately, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. So, fae, you better not compromise the mission. I don’t trust you.”

“I don’t trust you either.” Kolfinna’s fingernails bit into the palms of her hands hard enough to draw blood. “Andyoubetter make sureyoudon’t compromise the mission. I plan to do a dang good job.” Kolfinna stepped away from him, the creeping vegetation crunching beneath her feet. “Leave me alone and we won’t have anything to worry about.”

Kolfinna spun on her heels and focused on where she had come from; she wanted to run to the camp so bad, but she quelled that urge. She couldn’t let him know that she was terrified of him, or that he had that kind of power over her. She breathed in the leaves, the grass, and the sweet flowers to calm her raging heart.

She could do this. She had to bear with him and fulfill her mission. Her right leg dragged behind her with each step, feeling stiffer and heavier than it did a few minutes ago.

Ice shot from the ground beneath her feet and she only had a second to react. She lunged to the side and raised a bed of vines to break her fall before rolling around to face Blár. Her leg throbbed from the sudden movement and she gritted her teeth together to keep from crying. He was still leaning against the tree, this time with his arms crossed over his chest, watching her impassively.

“What was that for?” Kolfinna snapped. She balled her fists together and winced as a sharp pain stabbed her palms. Tiny crescents marks indented the flesh of her palms, blood beading where her nails had dug into. Her chest rose and fell erratically, and trembles overtook her body. She couldn’t stop the shivering or keep her teeth from chattering. Even though the ice hadn’t gotten to her, her body remembered the pain he had dealt her.

“Nothing.” He pushed himself off the tree. “I was just testing you.”

“Testing me?” She pointed at the ice shard that had solidified where she had been standing. From experience, she knew the tip was as sharp as a knife. “You almost skewered me!”

“I told you, I don’t trust you.”