Page 10 of Bride of Ice
“Don’t look down. Just climb up. And close your eyes. No matter what ye hear, keep your eyes shut tight. Stay there. Once the morn comes—”
“What areyougoing to do?” she demanded.
“Whate’er I have to.”
Colban didn’t know if he’d survive a whole pack of wolves, even armed with his claymore. But he could at least survive long enough to get the Valkyrie to safety.
Being mauled by wolves might not be a glorious way to die. But he’d never been destined for glory. Honor wasn’t his birthright. He’d earned every ounce of it he possessed. And he wasn’t about to abandon that hard-won honor now.
Hallie stood transfixed. The man clearly didn’t realize the danger he was in or he wouldn’t have made such a suggestion.
“There’s a whole pack of them,” she explained.
“I know.”
She blinked in surprise. “You can’t fight off a whole pack.”
His jaw tightened. “I can fight them off until ye’re safe.”
Her heart melted a little. He’d risk his life for her? Faith, he didn’t even know her.
She couldn’t let him do that. She was fairly sure she could get the wolves to back down, once they perceived he wasn’t a threat.
“Nay,” she said. “You’ve got to put down your sword.”
The wolf growled at him in agreement.
Unfortunately, that made the man clutch even tighter to his claymore. “Nay.”
“Listen. Do you trust me?”
He frowned. “Nay. Why would I trust ye?”
His reply took her aback. But she supposed she’d done little to earn his trust. After all, she’d tricked him into letting her escape.
“I know these wolves,” she said. “I can save your life. Lower your weapon, and they won’t attack.”
“The hell they won’t. I pray ye, for the love o’ God, lass, shimmy up that tree ere I—”
“What if I promise to return to Creagor?” she blurted out.
“What?”
By his determined scowl and the stubborn set of his jaw, she knew he meant to fight off the wolves. And mere words from her weren’t going to convince him to do anything else.
As long as he believed she was in danger, chivalry prevented him from laying down his sword.
And as long as the wolves believed she was in danger, they’d defend her from the stranger with the blade.
But if she bargained with him, if she offered him what he wanted most, perhaps he’d comply.
“Surrender your sword,” she repeated, “and I’ll go back with ye to Creagor.”
The wolf growled in impatience.
“Climb the tree,” he countered, “and I’ll surrender my sword.”
She frowned. God’s eyes, he was a willful knave. But what other choice did she have? If she did nothing, blood would be spilled. And that was the last thing she wanted.
