Page 49 of Sorcery, Swords & Scones
Sass thought, with a mixture of admiration and fear, that Florin still looked striking. She always had. That was one of the many reasons everyone thought the dark-haired Thornshield princess and the flame-haired Trollbane heir made a perfect match. But Sass knew all too well that, despite her fiery hair, Florin’s beauty was cold.
The dwarf’s lips curved into what might charitably be called a smile, though it looked more predatory than welcoming. "I've been searching for you for a long time, my love.”
Sass couldn't quite suppress the flinch that ran through her at the endearment, and she sensed Val bristle beside her. Before Florin could notice Val's reaction, Sass stepped forward.
"I've come to negotiate," she said firmly, drawing Florin'sattention to herself.
Florin studied Sass with cool detachment. "You mean you’ve come to surrender.”
Sass swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry even though the ring’s prickling had waned. “No. I’m willing to return the amulet, but I can't marry you, Florin. I won't."
The smile slipped from Florin's face, and for a moment Sass remembered why the Trollbane clan had such a fearsome reputation throughout the Ice Lands.
"You know," Florin said, her voice taking on a deceptively conversational tone, "I had that amulet designed especially for you. The stone was mined from the deepest tunnels of our mountain, cut by our finest craftsmen, and set in silver by renowned artisans renowned throughout the Known Lands.” She paused, letting her gaze caress Sass's bare throat. "It breaks my heart that you aren't wearing it."
Sass thought privately that Florin had no heart to break, but she kept her tone even. "I don't have the occasion to wear such fine jewelry anymore.”
Florin's smile returned, but it twisted and morphed into a sneer. "I heard you were working as a common tavern wench. How the mighty have fallen."
Sass didn't correct her, though every instinct she possessed was screaming at her to defend the tavern she now loved. But she wanted Florin to think she was nothing but a common laborer, someone whose connections and influence were negligible, someone who posed no threat and commanded no loyalty that could be leveraged.
Florin shook her head, though her eyes remained as cold as winter ice. "Your family would be so disappointed to see what you've chosen over a life as a queen under the mountain."
The words found their target, and Sass had to push aside thoughts of her family. Florin was right; there was no use denying that her family would be devastated to see how far she'd fallen from what they’d wished for her. But she also knew that she'dnever been happier than she was here in Wayside, and that thought straightened her spine and strengthened her resolve.
Instead of dwelling on family disappointment, Sass stepped forward, close enough to see the flecks of gold in Florin's eyes. "I wouldn't make you a good wife, Florin. You know that as well as I do."
Florin opened her mouth as if to argue, but then she stopped, staring hard at Sass with an expression that was difficult to read. The ring circling Sass’s little finger blazed hot for a moment then went quiet.
Florin jerked her gaze away and muttered, almost too low to hear, "Maybe you're right."
When she looked back at Sass, any shadow of emotion was gone. "Very well. I’ll relinquish my claim on you if you return to these woods tomorrow with the amulet. Bring it to me, and I'll consider our engagement dissolved."
Sass didn’t dare release the breath that felt lodged in her throat. “And you won't take retribution against my clan?"
Florin’s nostrils flared as if scenting weakness. "It will be enough for me to see the faces of your family when I tell them how far their precious princess has fallen. The humiliation of that should be punishment enough for the Thornshields."
Sass had to bite the inside of her lip to keep tears from blinding her. But she nodded, recognizing that this was a far better agreement than she’d hoped to get. “Aye, you have a deal.”
Florin held up one finger, and something in her expression made Sass's newfound relief evaporate. “On one condition, my love. When you bring the amulet tomorrow, I want you to wear it. I was not lying when I said that it hurts me not to see you wearing the gift I had designed especially for you. If I can see you wearing it one last time, I will be content to let you go."
It seemed like such a wee thing, but something about the request made Sass’s gut churn and the ring heat her finger. Florin loved one thing more than shedding blood, andthat was mind games, and this was clearly one of hers. Still, weighed against the alternative of forced marriage, it was a price she was willing to pay.
"Fine," she said simply, spinning the ring with her thumb as it continued to sting her skin.
Florin stepped closer, close enough that Sass could smell the leather of her armor and the faint scent of forge smoke that seemed to cling to all children of the Ice Lands. Her gaze flicked briefly to Val, as if finally registering the tall guardswoman's presence, before she leaned in to Sass.
The kiss she pressed to Sass's cheek was soft and brief, but it felt as cold and brittle as the burn of ice itself.
“Until next time, my love," Florin murmured against her ear, the words more a threat than a farewell.
Then she stepped back and, with a snap to her guards, disappeared into the depths of the forest. Within moments, it was as if the dwarves had never been there at all, the lingering scent of leather, steel, and smoke the only evidence of their presence. That and the pricking ring she wanted to wrench from her finger.
Sass stood frozen for a long moment, one hand unconsciously lifting to brush the spot where Florin's lips had touched her cheek. She was marveling at how well things had gone, how easily Florin had let her go, when she realized Val was staring at her.
“That," Val said quietly, "went almost too well."
A chill slithered down Sass’s spine as she realized with growing unease that Val was absolutely right.
