Page 67 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
She was loving this.
She wore victory better than Mrs. Thornbrew’s cloak and, damn it, I almost admired how well it fit her.
Mrs. Thornbrew placed her hands on her hips, staring me down as only she had the nerve to. “This is no way to treat a lady.”
“Thatladydecided to go exploring all by herself,” I rumbled. “And don’t let appearances fool you. She’s dangerous.”
“So are you,” Mrs. Thornbrew said. “So is everyone in this bloody fortress. Look at her–”
I really didn’t want to right now, because The Huntress was practically radiating triumph.
“–she’s defenseless, the darling thing.”
The Huntress struggled to keep a straight face, the corners of her mouth twitching. “A bow and some arrows would help tremendously.”
“Of course, dear. Any lady worth her salt needs to have a weapon on her at all times.” Mrs. Thornbrew gave me one last mean side-eye and took The Huntress’ hands in hers gently. “Now, Ry here is too proud to tell you, but he asked me to ready a special room for you.”
Godsdammit. The last thing we needed was The Huntress thinking we all buzzed around her. “Justaroom.”
Which, yes, I had requested. I wasn’t about to throw her in the dungeon, no matter what she imagined.
“You’ll find a nice hot bath there when you’re ready. I’ll tell the cooks to bring up some smoked venison for you,” Mrs. Thornbrew went on. “You need your strength to survive around these parts, you look to come from warmer lands.”
The Huntress’ smile flickered with pain. I wondered if anyone else noticed.
“You two.” Mrs. Thornbrew nodded at Nadya and Geryll, who’d almost vanished behind me. “The stew’s done, hurry up before it gets cold.”
They shuffled from behind me and quickly made their way to the exit. Geryll whizzed past The Huntress, as if afraid she might bite him. Nadya strolled out the door, narrowing her eyes at her in a way that promised violent revenge should something happen.
“Be nice. She’s a guest.” Mrs. Thornbrew sniffed at me and then closed the door, leaving me alone with The Huntress once more.
Her smile instantly fell, replaced with a sharper coldness than the storm’s, like she was daring me to say something. Make my next move. Surprise her.
It should have pissed me off.
It only thrilled me more.
Chapter
Thirteen
ALLIE
All of my bravado and faked lightness vanished as soon as I heard the door click behind me.
The Commander had already seen most of the worst in me–even the shadows I tried to keep hidden from everyone, including myself. No point in wearing the ridiculous mask of a Clan lady around him.
The ruse might have worked on Mrs. Thornbrew–which I was already feeling guilty for–but the Commander could see straight through the bullshit.
He knew I wasn’t some damsel in distress.
I was the storm that could ravage this whole fortress.
We were enemies.
“Did it hurt?” his gravel voice broke the stillness so suddenly, I might have flinched if my body still had enough energy.
“What, walking barefoot around your frozen palace?”
