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That was right. They needed to find the runes that would set them free.

“Rune magic,” she finished, scanning their surroundings. “I need to find the rune magic.”

Every turn she took, she was met with mounds of golden sand. From her peripheral, she became more and more aware that Blár was blatantly staring at her. She avoided his gaze and put more attention on sensing her surroundings, but she could barely pay attention to the dull sand, the sharp rocks, and soft blue sky. His scrutiny was blazing, even hotter than the two desert suns above her. She stared harder in the distance, where mountains of sand etched the horizon.

When there was nothing more to look at, she finally braved a glance back at him. His face was a blank canvas, betraying no emotion, but there was a spark in his eyes she didn’t like.

Her lips pursed together. “What?”

“You wanted to tell me something before we were”—he struggled to find the word, waving his hand—“warpedhere.”

“I did,” she said, remembering how she had wanted to ask him why he had helped her. Why he was pretending to be chivalrous. What his ulterior motives were. But without everyone’s presence, she felt she couldn’t ask him out loud. “It doesn’t really matter anymore.”

“What is it?”

“I said it doesn’t matter.”

“On the contrary, I believe it does matter.”

Kolfinna clenched her fists together. “Why do you say that?”

“Because it has to do with me. So I have a right to know, don’t I?” Blár inched closer and glowered at her, as if he wanted her to vanish on the spot. “So, what is it? What was so important that you wanted to pull me aside and tell me?”

What did he mean he had therightto know? Was he one of those people who had to know anything and everything concerning them? Kolfinna couldn’t hide the irritation on her face.

“Stop with this childishness,” she said, walking past him. “We have other things to worry about.”

“You’re really annoying, you know that?”

“I’mannoying? You’re the one who keeps badgering me!” She placed a hand on her hip. “I’ve done nothing but keep quiet and follow orders. You’re the one who’s—” Her words faltered on her lips. What exactly had he done? Other than following orders, scowling, and showing off how strong he was, he hadn’t done anything atrocious.

“We really don’t have time to argue right now,” she finally declared, spinning on her heels so he wouldn’t see the embarrassment flushing her cheeks. “Anything can attack us at any moment.”

“What was it that you wanted to tell me?” His expression hardened. “I don’t think you would want to talk to me unless it was something important.”

Kolfinna waved her hand dismissively. “How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn’t matter? Are youthatcurious?”

“Yes, I’mthatcurious.” Blár took a step closer to her, his tall figure casting a shadow over her. “Why would you want to talk to me? I see the way you’re around me. Youfearme. You cower when I’m around you. And you dislike me. I can see all of that. So, it really piques my interest when you decide to pull me aside and have a private conversation with me.”

She felt her cheeks blossom with color. “I don’t fear you.” She avoided the coldness in his eyes and focused on her boots, which had dried blood smeared over the toe cap. “And I definitely don’t cower.”

“Oh, please. You’re always shivering whenever I get too close.” Blár laughed, but there wasn’t a hint of laughter in his eyes. He pointed to her leg and a malicious intent glimmered in his expression. “I’m not faulting you. I get it. I skewered you.”

Kolfinna’s hands bunched together and she had the urge to smack him across the face. Maybe she should’ve done it, since he couldn’t use his powers anyway, but he had proven himself to be strong even without his powers—strong enough to overpower her.

“You’re a monster,” she hissed. “All you have is your power. And now that it’s gone, you’re useless.”

Even without his icy powers, the temperature dropped as his face darkened. A muscle on his jaw clenched. “The pot calling the kettle black.” He chuckled shortly. “You’ve only ever relied on your powers. I’ve been watching you. Without your powers, you can’t do shit. You don’t know how to fight and you’re clumsy on your feet. You think you can best me in a fight? I’m twice your size, and I can fight without my magic.”

“You think everything is a fight,” she snapped. “I said you were useless, not that I can beat you.”

“Then what does that make you? Someoneeven moreuseless?”

A roar in the distance interrupted their conversation. Kolfinna shuddered and almost fell to her knees. The mana was so immense that her ears rang. Her gaze followed the horizon, where the puffy white clouds had separated from the boom of the roar, but there was no monster there. Goose bumps rose on her arms and the back of her neck; whatever was out there, it was terrifyingly strong.And close.

“I really don’t have time to argue with you.” Kolfinna cast her attention on her surroundings, trying to pinpoint the runes. “I don’t intend to die by whatever is making that noise. Oh, and in case you forgot, you’re atmymercy.”

“What?”