Page 59 of Clash of Storms
Setting her on her feet, he dragged a spare pair of trousers from his saddlebags while Malin studiously examined the horizon. The sun was starting to sink into the west, its amber rays beginning to redden like the first autumn leaves facing a frost. But the forthcoming sunset would be no match for her cheeks.
"It seems I am short a prisoner," Sirius drawled as he tugged his buttons into place. "The princess and her husband are no doubt miles to the north by now, thanks to you. And it's clear you have no intentions of assisting me, which leaves me with little choice...."
Her stomach dropped. "What are you planning to do?"
Sirius hauled a belt from his travel bag, and flexed it between his big fists. "Perhaps you should use your imagination."
She took two steps before he caught her again and hauled her back against his chest, laughing at her sudden squeal.
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"They stayed here last night," Sirius said, moving toward the abandoned shepherd's hut they'd discovered right on the edges of Fáfnir's territory. Despite the storm, he could make out Árdís's scent—and that of the man she called husband.
The tracks were barely six hours old.
Sirius knelt and pressed his fingers into the perfect imprint of a man's boot. Almost the same size as him. He'd caught a glimpse of the weapons the dragon-hunter carried when he'd spied them earlier, and knew the bastard was aware of how to wield them.
"He slaughtered a goat." Sirius circled the cabin, putting the scene together. "Some of the local villagers must have left it tethered out for Fáfnir."
"Lord Fáfnir will be disgruntled. You don't think he'll come looking for his goat and find us?"
Sirius looked up. Lightning flickered in the sky, far to the south. "I think if Fáfnir was lurking nearby, we'd sense him. He's over twenty cycles old."
And the stronger adreki'smagic, the more resonance they gave off.
Fáfnir wasn't going to be able to sneak up upon him; but nor could Sirius discount the possibility the enormousdrekiwouldn't sensehim.
"I mean, I wouldn't mind if he ate you," she said, "but Lord Fáfnir is a legend. You'd give him indigestion. Or he might choke on you."
Sirius snorted. "You're the virgin, Malin. He's far more likely to be interested in you. What is it they used to do in this country? Tie a virgin out for the localdreki?"
"A completely barbaric custom," she growled. "And speaking of barbaric, are you going to untie me now?"
"Are you going to behave?"
Malin's stare held daggers.
"That's what I thought."Stubborn little drekling. Sirius shot her a slow, heated smile. "I quite like having you at my mercy."
Malin sat astride Iškur, her hands bound behind her back with his belt.
"Besides, I'm not quite sure I can trust you again," he said, striding toward her. "You're working for the princess."
"I've always been working for the princess. It was your motives that were in doubt," she replied primly. "Not mine."
Sirius had been reaching up to lift her down, when the sudden thought struck him: she didn't trusthim. Hisdrekicurled its lip. What did he have to do to prove himself to her?
Capturing her narrow waist, he lifted her down, setting her on her toes in front of him. "Turn around."
"I thought you liked me being in your power."
He tugged the belt loose, capturing her wrist and rubbing blood back into it.I'd much prefer your trust. He sighed.I'm also fairly certain it's the other way around. "Can we consider a truce? We're on the edge of a dangerous place, and I can't watch the skies if I'm forced to keep an eye upon you."
"You could let me go," she said, rubbing her own wrists.
Never.He swallowed the thought down. "I'm fairly certain if I let you go you're the one who's going to be giving Fáfnir indigestion. Come. I can see their trail."
Tracks led right up to the hut, and then circled around the ridge.
