Page 180 of The Spider Queen
“Yes,” Thane said.
The forest troll lowered his head in shame. “My apologies. I did not know it was you. Otherwise—”
“Otherwise you wouldn’t have rendered me unconscious and stolen my woman.”
“Your woman?” the troll and I exclaimed at the same time, though with very different tones.
Thane raised a dark eyebrow and addressed the troll. “Did you not see her army of spiders demolish the Flowers of Fire?”
“I was finding food and water for her.”
“Herhas a name,” I snapped. “And I’m right here.”
“I wouldn’t have taken her had I known.” The forest troll dropped his gaze respectfully. “There has been an absence of potential mates these past many years.”
It was Thane’s turn to appear ashamed. “I hope to rectify that in the near future.”
The troll’s expression brightened. “How?”
“I am on a mission to un-ward these lands.”
“Is that what the issue has been? Wards?”
Thane nodded. “It’s very hard for creatures to come and go as they please.”
“Where have you been these past many years? If you’re Guardian of the Bridge?”
“IamGuardian of the Bridge,” Thane growled, causing the troll to shrink back in fear.
“No harm, no foul, right?” I climbed to my feet. “Thane, we really should be on our way.”
Thane looked like he wanted to argue, but my pointed look shut him up. He nodded. “We will continue moving.”
“Where are you going?” the troll asked, dogging our footsteps.
“We are headed to the Desert of the Forgotten.”
The troll’s dark skin paled ever so slightly. “You don’t want to go there.”
“We have to,” Thane said. “There’s no other way. We must be there when the Ebony moon is at the highest point in the sky.”
“You only have three days until that happens,” the troll said. “And right now, you’re five days from the desert.”
“Do you know a shortcut?” Thane asked. “We’d be forever in your debt.”
The troll’s expression turned pensive. “Yes, I know of one. But I will not step foot in the Desert of the Forgotten.”
Thane nodded. “Your name?”
The troll bowed ever so slightly. “Virbius, Guardian.”
“I’m Poppy,” I said. “Nice to meet you. Officially, that is.”
“Oh, I can’t call you by name, lady. Not when you belong to the Guardian.”
“I don’t belong to anyone,” I said with a look at Thane.
Thane cocked his head to one side.You don’t like belonging to me?
