Page 36 of A Warrior's Heart

“He isn’t all that bright, but he makes up for it in appearance.” Shar softly chuckled. “I can see his heart is pure though.”

“Is that fondness I hear in your tone, assassin?”

“I am fond of no one.”

Shar jolted to a sudden stop and stuck out his hand to me, placing it on my stomach. He stared to the right, unmoving. That’s when I heard it too, the faint sound of leaves crunching underfoot. We squatted down behind a bush as I pulled an arrow from the quiver. I readied my bow and focused ahead. Waiting.

The deer moved through the trees but was still too far. Patience was key for hunting, you had to know the precise moment to strike.

Once upon a time, I had struggled killing anything. I had shot arrows into the target dummies and nothing else. But then I’d fought in the battle at Black Hallows. I had killed many men that day. Taken so many lives. Hunting for food was nothing compared to that.

“He’s too far,” Shar whispered. “You’ll miss him.”

I took aim and released the arrow. It whirled through the air, and the deer dropped down seconds later.

“I never miss my mark,” I said, looking at Shar.

Shock filled his eyes. “Well done. Who taught you to shoot?”

“Malik,” I answered as we stood and approached the dead animal. “I’m sure he never would have taught me if he’d known how big a pain I’d become in the future.”

“I am much better with daggers,” Shar said. “Perhaps you could give me archery lessons, and I could teach you hand-to-hand combat.”

“I doubt I could teach you anything you don’t already know,” I responded, feeling my cheeks heat with a blush.

The deer weighed heavily, but Shar and I were able to tie it to a fallen branch and carry it back to camp. Alek had started a fire, and the men sat around it. Well, all men apart from one.

“Where’s Malik?” I asked as Reif and Ervin came over to help with the deer.

“Down by the water,” Reif answered, nodding to the stream. “Careful. He’s in a foul mood.”

“When is he not?” I muttered as I headed that way. My heart ached as I approached the stream and saw Malik standing in front of it. He looked so distant. Sad. “I caught a nice sized deer.”

He didn’t look at me. He only nodded.

“Are you still mad at me?”

Malik’s orange eyes finally met mine. “I was never angry with you.”

“Could have fooled me.” I stood beside him, my head only reaching his bicep. “All I want to do is help, yet you make me feel like I’m a burden when I try. I’m not helpless, Mal.”

“I know you’re not helpless.” Malik softly exhaled and looked down at me. “You’ve become so strong.”

“Is that it then? Are you worried I don’t need you anymore?”

His jaw clenched.

“You’re such a big fool,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I willalwaysneed you. No matter how strong I become.”

Malik lifted a hand and cupped my cheek. “You were right about one thing. I was angry… but not at you.” His nostrils flared. “That assassin needs to keep his hands to himself.”

“Are you jealous because I hunted with him?”

His gaze hardened.

“I don’t understand you,” I said, searching his eyes. “What do you want, Malik? I know we’ve danced around the subject a lot as of late.”

“What do I want? I want you to be safe.”