Page 39 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Thinking back, he hadn’t seen Absolon smile the entire time, but he’d had other things to worry about. Now, however…

Gone with the smile was also the happiness that had once filled Absolon’s body to bursting. From what Absolon had once told him of his past, there had been little cause for mirth, yet he had always found something to smile at, such as the gentle greeting of his horses and the grudging affection of others. No matter how many times Absolon was spurned, by family, by friends, by lovers, he held onto the hope that next time would be better.

When had Absolon last smiled?

Absolon’s eyes swam in sadness, his body was tensed and rigid, he was barely capable of holding himself together.

“Stop staring at me,” Absolon growled and turned his head so their eyes finally met.

“Is that to be a new condition of my captivity? You may as well blindfold me.”

“How about I pluck out your eyes instead?”

You wouldn’t. He tried to believe that.

“What happened to you, Absolon?”

“You dare ask me that?”

“I do. I want to know.”

“You no longer have the right.”

“It can’t be easy for you here, with no one to talk to.”

“Who says I’m alone?”

“Oh? There is someone else here, after all? Another jailer? Another prisoner?”

The corner of Absolon’s mouth twitched.

Ragnar waved away the need for him to answer, taking the pleasure of having Absolon flustered into his heart, though it didn’t ring with as much joy as he expected. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve been listening. I know you’re here alone. That must be difficult for you.”

“I don’t need anyone.”

“Come now, we know each other better than that. That’s why you had the dog.”

Absolon’s eyes flared.

Ragnar ducked his head. “I am sorry about that. I didn’t mean for it to run away.”

“Hisname was Trogen.”

“Sorry, again. I was only trying to escape; you can’t blame me for that.”

“I blame you for a lot of things, including the loss of my dog.”

“He’ll return. I’m certain of it. You take good care of your animals.”

Absolon looked over his shoulder, perhaps thinking of the dog and wondering where it was, and if he should go look for it.

“Who brought you here, Absolon?”

He spun round. “No one. This is my place. It’s for me and me alone.”

“Has it always been just you?”

“Yes.”

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