Page 54 of The Daughter of the Scarred Elf

She ran to the end of the hall for a quick bath. Thankfully, there was no one waiting, so she took her bath, dressed in her drab gray uniform, and brushed out her damp curls back in her room. After pinning the yellow badge to her breast pocket, she was ready for the day. Herja and Inkeri were still fast asleep when she left her room.

Her mind was so focused on breakfast that when she entered the dining hall, she didn’t even notice the shift in the temperature, the slight chill that settled down on her skin like dew. It wasn’t until she heard his voice that she realized her mistake.

“There you are.”

Kolfinna looked over her shoulder, eyes wide. Blár was leaning against the wall beside the double doors. His black hair was tousled and slightly damp, likely from an early morningbath, and the white fur collar of his cloak brushed over his cheeks and made the blue of his eyes look even sharper, like silver-blue steel.

Kolfinna’s chest tightened and she ignored the fluttering in the pit of her stomach. She should’ve been disappointed that she had failed at avoiding him, but she wasn’t. There was a small part of her that warmed at the sight of him, that wanted to lean in closer to him. But the more logical side of her calmed the racing in her heart.

Blár was beautiful, yes, but he was also trouble. He didn’t like her the same way she did, and he was more interested in … flirting, it seemed. She didn’t need that kind of relationship, not when she was planning on escaping from this fort anyway.

She steeled herself with resolve and gave him a curt nod. “Blár. Good morning.”

“And a very good morning to you,” he said dryly before waving at the mostly empty hall. “Care to eat with me?”

Kolfinna’s stomach rumbled, and she lost the opportunity to deny. “Lead the way.”

Blár sauntered over to the serving table and grabbed himself a ceramic plate. He handed one to Kolfinna and moved to the array of flaky bread, smoked meats, cheeses, olives, jams, and dried fruits.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said while piling bread and meat on his plate. He didn’t even look at her as he spoke and said it so matter-of-factly that she couldn’t even deny it. He grabbed the tongs sticking out from the assortment of white and orange cheese and picked a few slices before moving on to the dried cherries. “I’ve been here for two weeks and I’ve only seen you twice.”

Kolfinna ladled barley porridge onto her plate. “I’ve been training a lot?—”

“With Inkeri.” Blár glanced at her. “At the same time I have my training.”

She focused on pairing fruits atop her porridge. “That’s purely coincidental.”

“Is it?” He cocked an eyebrow. “You also eat breakfast and dinner at a different time than everyone else.”

Kolfinna drizzled honey over her meal and gave a lighthearted shrug. “Why does it matter what time I eat?”

“I can only see you a few times between my own missions and orders.”

“Careful,” she muttered. “If you keep talking like that …”I’ll get the wrong idea.

“I’m not stupid. I can tell you’re avoiding me.”

Kolfinna placed the spoon back into the jar of honey and then moved to grab a piece of bread. “Blár, I’m?—”

“Not avoiding you.” He snorted. “Is that what you want to say? No need to lie, Kolfinna. I can see right through you. You’re not a good liar at all.” He grabbed her plate from her hands, led her to a vacant table, and they both sat down.

Kolfinna took her plate from him. “You don’t need to carry my food.”

“I was trying to be polite?—”

“Well, thank you, but I can carry my own plate.” She picked up her spoon and stirred the thick barley porridge with it.

Blár gave her a long stare. “I know you can carry your plate. I was trying to be nice.”

“You and nice don’t exactly blend together.”

“Do you want me to throw your damned plate on the floor then?” He braced his forearms on the table and leaned forward. Even though the words were harsh, his tone wasn’t. “I can freeze your plate and shatter it too, if you prefer that.”

Kolfinna rolled her eyes. “Anyway, what did you want from me?”

“Many things, but the most prevalent one isanswers.” She could smell the sweet vanilla scent of him. His gaze roved over her face. “First of all, why are you here with the military? And secondly, what have I done to make you avoid me at all costs?”

Nothing, really. Except string her along and confuse her.

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