Page 80 of A Warrior's Heart

Eva and Nereus met us at the ramp leading off the ship. My sister eyed me, her brows lifting. “You’re going into town?”

“Someone has to watch over this big brute.” I bumped Malik’s shoulder. My heart swelled when he smiled again.

Shar jumped down from the closest mast and landed directly in front of Nereus. The younger man stumbled back a bit, then slapped the assassin’s chest.

“Stop sneaking up on me, you beast.”

“You like it,” Shar purred, pulling Nereus closer. “Don’t let anything shiny distract you while you’re in town.”

Nereus scoffed and pushed Shar away, a blush coloring his cheeks. I noticed he brushed his hand along Shar’s thigh as he walked past him though. He wasn’t nearly as annoyed as he’d made it seem. All part of the game they played with each other.

Whitebridge was a stark contrast to Emerald Cove, Lorcan and Alek’s home. Where Emerald Cove was bright, tropical, and filled with smiling people and sunshine, the fishing village of Whitebridge had overcast skies and a heavy gloomy atmosphere.

I moved closer to Malik’s side as we passed a group of fishermen who all looked like they’d seen better days. The bow strapped to my back reassured me too, though I didn’t wish to harm anyone with it.

Harming a human could be reason for James to break the treaty—not that he wasn’t on his way to breaking it himself. But still. Better to avoid conflict if possible.

“What do you need at the blacksmith?” I asked.

“I wish not to worry you, but I feel a battle looming.” Malik stared ahead and guided me to the left side of the road. A wagon carrying barrels of fish passed us, the wheels squeaking with every turn. “The prince’s dreams cannot be ignored. Neither can the seer’s warning. And with our run-in with James… I want to be prepared.”

“Prepared. Meaning, more weapons.”

He nodded.

My heart sank. The possibility of a fight wasn’t surprising, especially after what Phantos had told us, but a part of me held onto hope that our mission wouldn’t come to one.

We neared a narrow building with an iron sign out front depicting an anvil.Bailey’s Smithingwas written above it. Smoke fanned out from an open doorway where a man worked at a forge, hammering a thick piece of burning metal before sticking it back over the flames.

“Can I help ya?” he asked in a gruff voice thick with an accent I couldn’t place. Sweat glistened on the rippling muscles of his back, and when he turned to us, I regarded his braided beard with interest. His long black hair was pulled back from his rugged face.

“I’m interested in purchasing armor and weapons,” Malik said, stepping forward. “Have I come to the right place?”

The man tipped his head to a door to the right. “In there’s ma shop. You’ll find everythin’ I have fer sale. I can forge yer somethin’ as well. Dependin’ on what it is, I can have it to ya in three days’ time.”

“We haven’t the time to wait. I’ll look at what you have available.”

Malik guided me into the shop area, closing the heavy door behind him. Swords of all shapes and sizes hung on the walls. Helmets, breastplates, gauntlets, and steel leg greaves sat on wooden racks, and I walked down the aisle, running my fingers across them.

“Nothing compares to the blacksmith in Avalontis, but these are well made.” Malik picked up a curved dagger and tested the grip before handing it to me. “How does it feel?”

“Heavier than it looks,” I said after taking it from him.

Frowning, he placed the dagger back down before searching for another.

“Are you shopping for me?”

“Yes.”

“But I don’t need a dagger. I have my bow.”

His orange eyes shifted to me. “And what if your bow string snaps? What if you run out of arrows? How will you protect yourself then? It is wise to have extra defense.”

“Is that why you have so many daggers hidden in your armor?”

“Yes.” Malik rested his hand on the side of my neck. “Battle is unpredictable. I might not always be by your side, and it would bring my mind peace knowing you had more ways than one to defend yourself. Please don’t fight me on this.”

Close range attacks scared me. I was skilled with a bow, but when it came to brute strength and hand-to-hand combat, I fell short.