Page 13 of The Iron Oath
She slid her hand down her arm and pinched her skin. She held back a wince. Nope. She was wide awake, and Magoza was still standing in front of her.
“Do you often come and watch the warriors train?” Magoza asked gently.
Amuleta nodded, unable to form a single word. Magoza, the daughter of the chieftain, a fierce warrior, had just called her beautiful and a lady.
“And why is that?”
“Um, I have always found it fascinating. Even as a child I would come and watch—” Amuleta stopped.
She didn’t want to reveal that she would watch her father train and work with the other warriors. Her mother never wanted him to be dishonored by the clan for having a human mate and a half-breed child. That had happened once already, and they hadn’t wanted to risk it again.
Magoza’s eyes narrowed on her. She probably sensed that Amuleta was hiding something.
“Had dreams of becoming a warrior?” Magoza’s lips curled up in the corner. There was now a twinkle in her eye as she teased Amuleta.
“Oh, Goddess, no.” Amuleta found herself giggling. She reached up and tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
Her father had given her lessons, and it would seem she was not cut out to be a warrior. Now defend herself to where she would have a chance to run away, she was able to do that.
“It was just interesting to watch warriors train and to see the dedication each one of them exhibits. I have much respect for what you do.”
A silence fell between them while they studied each other. Amuleta wasn’t sure what to say or do. She had her foraging she needed to do. Herbs and berries wouldn’t magically appear in her bag.
“Why have I never seen you around the village? Do you live far from here?” Magoza asked.
Amuleta bit her lip and pondered the questions. They appeared to be innocent enough. She gave a shrug.
“I go into town at least once a week for market day, and as to where I live, well, not far from here.” She took a step back from Magoza. This close to her allowed her to see the flecks of gold that were in her amber irises. Or the small scar that ran along the underside of her jawline. Her tusks were pearly white as if she took great care of them. Her hair was silky black, and the braids were immaculately done.
Amuleta clenched her hands into fists. She had to resist the urge to reach out and run her hand over Magoza’s exposed arms. She wanted to feel her muscular arms and test out their strength. She inhaled sharply and backed away some more. She doubted the warrior would appreciate her touching her. She may have called her beautiful, but she probably said that to all women. “But I do have to go.”
“Is your mate waiting for you?”
“What?” Amuleta gasped. She clutched the strap of her bag in her hand. Her face grew warm as embarrassment filled her. She couldn’t believe Magoza would ask her that question. As much as she wished she had someone, she did not. Amuleta had heard stories of Magoza. Many of the gossipers in town didn’t pay her any mind when sharing their stories. Her ears always burnedwhen they spoke of Magoza and her many lovers. “I don’t…I don’t have a mate.”
Something flared in Magoza’s eyes. Amuleta wasn’t sure what it was, but it created a stirring in her belly. She tried to offer the warrior a smile as she was finally able to get her feet to move. Once again, she reminded herself that those wild berries and herbs would not forage themselves.
“I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“Mind if I tag along with you? I hear that there are some crotori berries nearby, and I’ve been craving some.”
Amuleta spun around and stared at Magoza. How did she know what she was off to do? Did she tell the chieftain’s daughter no? She wasn’t sure why she would want to tag along with her, but for some strange reason, Amuleta found herself nodding.
“Of course.”
SIX
“Wait!You shouldn’t grab them so hard.” Amuleta’s giggle floated through the air. Her soft, smaller hands rested on Magoza’s. She snatched Magoza’s hand back from the vines the crotori berries grew on.
“Why not? You told me to pick them,” Magoza muttered.
Her heart paused at the sight of Amuleta’s wide grin. Her smile lit up her face, and her beauty continued to take Magoza’s breath away. The more time she spent with her, the more she wanted this female.
“You have to be gentle with them. Otherwise they will burst and you will have crushed berries and juice all over you. Watch me again,” Amuleta said.
Her eyes, which were magnificently two different colors, darted away from Magoza. She picked up her dagger from the ground and gently pried the vine away from the tree it had coiled around. She focused on carefully cutting the vine. She tugged, and the vine came away from the tree. Her smile widened as she cut lower down and freed the selection of berries. She held them up for Magoza.
“See. Simple as that. You have to be careful with them. These are extremely ripe and will be super sweet.”
