Page 41 of Frost Bound

“Just so,” Birdie commented, nodding. “Well then, you eat your treat and try to get a little nap in that chair.” She patted Lia’s knee. “I’ll be behind the bar folding sheets, so you’ll be looked after.”

Warmth suffused Dahlia. She loved when women womened. It wasn’t a safe world for the female sex as a whole. Never would she sleep in a public place, but with Birdie around? Lia felt safe.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing, dearie.”

Birdie bustled away in a rush of homespun skirts and began humming softly behind the bar. Lia tried to eat her bread slowly, but it was gone too soon, followed by her tea. Her eyelids felt heavy as she leaned her head against the wingback of the chair. Maybe she’d just close her eyes for a moment…

She always knewwhen someone was looking at her.

Dahlia’s eyes snapped open; blearily, she searched to her right and left. She stiffened when the giant to her right winked.

Olwen.

The Loriian had stuffed himself into the chair next to her. It groaned as he leaned forward, hands clasped between his splayed knees.

“So your tongue is pink,” he murmured.

Lia snapped her mouth closed and wiped her cheeks for saliva. “What of it?” She must have been sleeping deeply. Even now she felt a bit foggy.

The beast opened his mouth and flicked his long, pointed tongue out. Dahlia stared. His tongue was black, with ridges.Unbidden, a memory from her childhood surfaced of a giant boy sticking his tongue out at her. She’d forgotten Loriians had black tongues. Lia shrugged and pulled her blanket up to her chest. “Shocking.”

Olwen grinned, making him seem less intimidating. “You don’t seem shocked, my lady. In fact, you look decidedly unimpressed.”

“What I was unimpressed with was your snoring last night,” she retorted.

Don’t let him get to you. Make friends. Collect information.

He looked affronted. “Me? I never snore.”

Flyka materialized at Lia’s right side. “You most assuredly do,” she replied dryly. “It’s a bloody miracle anyone got any rest.” The giantess held out a plate with a flat cake, bacon, eggs, and maple syrup. “Break your fast, my lady. We must be on the road soon.”

Dahlia took the food from Flyka without complaint and stared at the window past Olwen while she shoved the breakfast into her mouth.

It was still raining.

A shiver ran down her spine. She would need something heavier than the thin cloak she wore to survive the day. There was no way she’d be able to go through another trip like last night. She’d catch her death.

As if Olwen heard her thoughts, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. He scanned her from head to toe. “I think we need to outfit you with something more proper for the journey.”

She nodded, swallowing the fluffy eggs. “Are my things with my mount?”

He pursed his lips. “Most of your effects were either sent ahead or are behind us with the rest of the caravan.”

She mulled that over. Maybe she could trade her fine green dress for something sensible. Surely, Birdie would know of someone who would barter.

The door flew open and Arun ducked inside, looking angry as usual. The food congealed in her gut as she watched the menace approach with a bundle under his arm, the top of his head almost reaching the ceiling. Rain dripped down his cheeks and bare chest, but he seemed not to notice.

She forced herself to eat the last bit of meat despite her churning belly. One never knew when the next meal would arrive. Heat stained her cheeks once again as she caught Olwen studying her.

“What?” she groused, setting her plate on the empty side table. Had Birdie cleaned up after Lia’s early-morning snack? She’d need to thank the woman.

“You eat like a warrior, my lady,” he stated bluntly.

“What does that mean?” she asked, keeping her attention on Olwen and ignoring the glowering presence behind her.

“Swift and efficiently. Like someone is going to take your food.”

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