Page 15 of Ironling
She took the back stairs down to the kitchens, feeling a little better for the pools of sunlight. As she descended, the serenity was broken, however, by loud barking. Actual dog barking, too, not just Hugh being particularly cranky.
Of course, then came Hugh’s bark.
“Get that beast out of here! His sort isn’t welcome!”
Aislinn hurried down the last steps and around the corner to a commotion.
Hugh loomed in the arched doorway to the kitchen, standing guard over the threshold with his big fists planted on his hips and a thunderous frown etched on his brow. Before him, a hugegray dog sat on its haunches, barking up at him.
None of that was what surprised Aislinn. Several staff kept dogs, as did her family, though they hadn’t in years.
No, it was the enormous green hand on the dog’s collar, attached to the greenest, most muscular arm she’d ever seen. She tracked the bulging bicep up to massive shoulders, clad in a well-worked leather jerkin with tooled silver at the collar and shoulder.
Kneeling beside the biggest dog she’d ever seen was the biggest man she’d ever seen. Even on his knees, his head was nearly level with Hugh’s chest, and Hugh wasn’t a small man.
At first glance, Aislinn’s mind immediately went to Orek. But no, this wasn’t Orek. He had longer hair, hazel eyes, freckles. This man…
He saw her then, head turning to behold her. Eyes of the warmest brown met hers. He was indeed a halfling, his green skin evidence of that, but he had the noble features of the handsome knights painted in her favorite books, all high cheeks and sharp jaw and jutting chin. Where Orek’s face was as beautiful as it was brutal, this halfling’s face was all beauty, every line finely wrought. Even his green lips were pleasingly formed, parted just the smallest amount to reveal the tops of two short tusks on his lower jaw.
“Milady,” Hugh huffed.
The cook’s rough voice brought Aislinn round. Clearing her throat, she approached.
“What seems to be the matter?”
Hugh scowled down at the panting dog, the beast’s long pink tongue lolling from its mouth.
“This beast thought he could come in and steal the evening roast.”
“I apologize,” the kneeling halfling said. The deep timber of his voice rolled over Aislinn like warm syrup, and her fisttightened on her notebook. “We’re still learning. He meant no harm.”
Hugh eyed the dog again. “That thing is tall enough to take whatever he wants right off the block!”
The halfling’s pointed ears darkened to a ruddy brown. “He’s just hungry is all.”
Stepping forward, Aislinn asked, “Has the roast been spared?”
After a bit of grumbling, Hugh admitted, “Yes. Just barely.”
“Then no harm done.” Turning to the halfling, she gestured for him to stand. Her stomach did a funny flip, emotions churning there. Not bad emotions, though. No, under his warm gaze, she…
She stuck out her hand. “Aislinn Darrow.”
The halfling’s nostrils contracted in a sharp breath. He took her hand in his much, much larger green one so carefully, their fingers hardly touched. Still holding onto the dog, he said, “My lady, it is an honor,” and bowed over her hand.
Blushing, Aislinn nearly forgot to pull her hand back when he straightened. She usually didn’t enjoy touching strangers, but something about the halfling’s broad fingers and warm calluses was…utterly enjoyable.
“And who’s this?” She nodded at the giant dog, currently panting hot, wet breath onto her notebook.
“Wülf, my lady.” He spoke with the same rugged accent Orek did, holding onto syllables in a way a human mouth couldn’t. “I am Hakon Green-Fist. Your father has brought me on as a blacksmith.”
“Ah, yes! I remember now. I hope you’re settling in Dundúran.”
“Yes, I—”
With an exasperated noise, Hugh threw up his hands and turned on his heel to disappear back into the kitchen. “Keep thatmutt out of my kitchen!”
Hakon’s ears went ruddy again. “I apologize, my lady, he—”
