Page 141 of Thorns & Fire
‘Alas,’ she said.‘I need to speak with Wilder.’
‘That isnotthe name I want to hear on your lips right now,’ Torj grumbled.
To his dismay, Wren looked delighted.‘I didn’t take you for a jealous Warsword...’
‘Only when my woman drives me to the point of madness under the table and then—’
‘Your woman?’Wren echoed, grinning.
‘Yes,’ Torj replied, studying her expression for any signs of objection.‘My woman.’
Wren was all smiles.‘Well, your woman needs to speak to Wilder alone, without Thea.Can you occupy her while we get another round of drinks?’
‘Anything for you, Embers...’
‘Do I already have you wrapped around my finger so thoroughly?’
‘That’s been the case since the first day I met you,’ he said warmly, spotting Thea standing hand-in-hand with Wilder at the far side of their table, deep in conversation with Kipp.
He squeezed Wren’s knee before he got to his feet and approached her sister.
‘A word?’he said to the older Embervale.
Thea flashed him a smile.‘Can’t say I didn’t see this coming...Alright, Bear Slayer, lead the way.’
Not sure what Thea was talking about, Torj led her away from the curious looks of the others, hoping he’d be able to stall her long enough to give Wren the time she needed with Wilder.
Thea folded her arms over her chest and smirked.‘So...you and my sister.’
‘Yes,’ Torj said simply.There was no point in denying it, not to Thea, who had seen them kissing in the alchemy workshop, who suspected – if not knew – about the soul bond.
‘And you’ve patched things up properly?’Thea pressed.
‘We have.’
Thea nodded.‘I’m glad to hear it, Bear Slayer.Wren was...not herself after the attack.I didn’t like seeing her like that.’
‘Nor did I.’
‘Good.Because if she ends up in that state again, you’ll have me to answer to.’Thea’s words were light, but the storm in her eyes revealed the threat beneath them.
‘I love her,’ Torj told her.
‘Of course you do.’Thea laughed.‘You’ve loved her for years.Good of you to finally catch up.Now, what is it you wanted to discuss?’
For a moment, Torj blinked, until he remembered thathehad asked Thea for a private word.He recovered clumsily.‘I just wanted to explain.About Wren.’
Thea raised her brows.‘So, it had nothing to do with Wren wanting to talk to Wilder without me?’
‘Uh...’
Just in time, Wilder and Wren appeared from the tavern, each carrying a fresh tray of drinks.
Thea clapped a hand on Torj’s shoulder.‘No matter, Bear Slayer.Just remember...Hurt my sister again, and I’ll end you.’
He huffed a laugh.‘Noted.’
She waved over her shoulder and strode back to Wilder.
