Page 44 of Winter's Scorching Kisses
“He’s even better built for this cold than I am,” Mathar reassured her as he strode up to her and guided her over to the cabin’s front door by placing his hand against the small of her back.
“What about those mountain cats?”
“He can take one, maybe even two of those animals. Not to mention the ruckus he’ll cause if he needs my assistance.”
Adorra nodded as she followed after him. Now that she knew the horse would be fine, she was eager to get herself into the cabin and warmed up.
Mathar marched up to the door and knocked his knuckles on the wooden door shaking it on its hinges.
Adorra watched on in anticipation.
The door creaked opened, and an ice giant woman looked out at them in wide-eyed shock, before a smile creased her lips. “Mathar. Pleased to see you again, and your guest.” She turned curious eyes to Adorra.
“Would you mind us spending a night here?” Mathar asked.
“No, of course, I wouldn’t.”
“Is Grewar here?”
“He went hunting, but he’ll be back soon.” She smiled. “Come in and get yourselves out of that cold.” She waved them inside.
Mathar walked right inside, but Adorra hesitantly stepped a foot inside the doorway before pausing to look around the cabin. This would be the first time she’d walked into a giant home, and she wasn’t too sure whether or not it was a good idea. All those stories from her childhood flooded her. One of the favorites that parents told their children was how the giants would eat anyone foolish enough to get lost in their lands.
Adorra swallowed harshly as she walked inside the threshold. It was time she found out how accurate some of the stories she’d been told were.
The ice giant woman closed the door, locking the cold air outside.
Adorra was pulled forward by the warmth of the fire crackling away inside the hearth. She twisted her hands in the skirts of her dress, but no one looked like they were going to jump her and cut her up, so she walked towards the fire as Mathar, and the woman spoke together.
“I hope you don’t mind us dropping by, Lisag.”
Adorra wasn’t one for eavesdropping, but she figured she’d be excused this once. The more she knew, the less likely they could surprise her.
“Not at all.” Lisag rushed to say. “Grewar and I set this cabin up just for moments like this. We’re a pitstop for any traveler who needs a rest or a warm place to stay.” She glanced over at Adorra, and Adorra glanced away not wanting to be caught staring. “Although a human was definitely a surprise.” The woman whispered, but not quite quiet enough.
“Jasmine asked for her.”
“Jasmine?” Lisag asked sounding completely perplexed.
“The human who’s captured Dryden’s heart.”
“Ah, yes. Grewar told me something about that. I thought he was playing a joke at first, and then I realized he wasn’t when more people told me.” She cast another glance over at Adorra.
Adorra pretended like she wasn’t paying attention by pretending like her only interest was the fire in front of her. But any discussion that involved her sister interested her. To continue with the ruse, Adorra stripped the fur-lined boots Mathar had given her and placed them by the fire along with her soaking wet slippers.
Lisag strode over to the cooking fire and stirred a pot that steam rolled off.
“Would you mind if we took some of the hot meal your cooking? It smells delicious.” Mathar asked as he took a seat in a chair near Adorra.
“We have plenty to spare, and once Grewar gets back, we will have some meat to throw in there as well.” Lisag smiled warmly as she finished stirring the soup, and then she grabbed a poker and began to stir up the glowing coals under the pot.
Mathar glanced over at Adorra. “How are you?”
“Much better now that I have a fire warming me back up and no cold air swirling around me.” Adorra shed the fur, not needing it now that she was in a toasty cabin. The only things that had yet to heat up were her toes, which seemed frozen solid.
“I thought this might please you and give you some time out of the cold.”
Adorra glanced over at him, and those dark obsidian eyes that seemed to pull her in. “That was thoughtful of you.”
