Page 25 of Deadly Maiden

“Hmmm. Go on. Is there more?”

I need more? I’m scowling but I wrack my brain. What did he do? “He’s an Aos Sin enforcer! He burst into our house and stood by while they attacked me and Father! Then he chased me down. Surely that is enough?”

“He told me he defended you at the house?”

I purse my lips.

“And that at the place where they caught up to you, he says he did terrible things to save you. Did he not kill the others?”

I resist eyerolling. “He’s been telling fairytales then. That slaughter was accidental.”

“But it was by him?”

I shrug. “Yes, but I really am afraid of why he wants to be with me, alone.” I shoot Thander a pleading look. “He towers over me like a freaky monster.”

“He does, but so do I. You need someone with you on this journey who can fight. He showed me the evidence, the bloody uniforms of those enforcers. If you’re scared, I can see why, but you need someone with you to defend you and advise you.”

“I just refuse. Tell him to leave.”

“I will just wait for you and guard you anyway.” Rorsyd says that smugly.

Oh gods.

“Wyntre.” Thander sits forward. “I don’t want to force this on you. Rorsyd, you understand that if she is afraid of you this may be a problem?”

He grunts, begrudgingly agrees with Thander.

“And so I will tell her about your past.”

“Huh?”

Thathuhsays Thander has wrongfooted the dragonshifter. This, I like.

“What past?” I ask.

“He has been visiting the town and watching you for the past twenty years, ever since you arrived.”

“Oh.”Oh fuck.“Why?” I’m shocked, panicking, and wondering, all at once.

“He’s merely watched you, which supports his assertion that he will guard you.”

I grimace and stare at my hands where I’ve clasped my knees, trying think this through. “I’m unsure that is enough proof of good intention?—”

“I think it is,” Rorsyd interjects. I glare at him. He raises one eyebrow. “I am a fae of my word, Thander. I will guard her, help her. I vow this. Unless she does something evil. I don’t abide with evil.”

“Evil?” I squeak. I hold up a finger, thinking. “I would never?—”

“Well, I agree with this. Evil is bad,” Thander says, his mouth pursed, “but as a means of guarantee there is this. If you break that vow, your hoard will be forfeit, and yes, I know where it is. As you watched Wyntre, I have watched you, for many years also.”

Rorsyd stiffens, his gaze fixes on Thander as if seeing him in a crash of lightning.

A dragonshifter would never give up his hoard. I hide my smile when Thander looks to me.

“I would not put you in the hands of this dragonshifter if I did not feel he is right for you, Wyntre. Understand? I feel he is what you will need to succeed on what will undoubtedly be a very long and difficult journey that will test your resolve and your morals in every way. Do you agree?” He nods at me as he says the last part, and he keeps on nodding.

Do I? There is something about that hard, penetrating, yet kindly stare, and the deliberate rhythm as he said all those words as if they were a prophecy, that makes me nod back at him.

“Good then. We have a deal.” He slaps his hands together.

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