I released Maz and turned to see his blue eyes wide with surprise.
He backed up a step. “Forgive me, I should’ve announced myself.” He grinned. “That was a gods-damned quick response, though. Fierce little warrior. My sisters would love you.”
I caught my breath, willing the fight to recede from my quivering muscles. The tavern, which had gone silent at our quick scuffle, resumed its hum of activity. A few women at the bar smiled at me appreciatively before turning those smiles on Maz.
“You have sisters?” I forced out. “How many?”
“Three. All younger, but any one of them could take me in a fight.”
I managed a weak chuckle. “I suppose that’s the best compliment you could give them.”
“Of course.” Maz drew up to his full height and puffed out his chest, winking at the women by the bar.
I rolled my eyes. “Does nothing damage your ego?”
“I wouldn’t know. Haven’t found anything strong enough yet.”
I laughed along with him, finally relaxing. Maz had that strange, elusive power few did to make a friend of anyone. Even people like me and Aiden, who usually preferred to be left alone with our secrets.
But that didn’t mean we didn’t want to be found occasionally. And Maz seemed to like finding us.
“You already ate?” Maz asked, staring at the remnants of our meal, crestfallen.
I nodded.
“We were about to throw knives,” said Aiden’s voice behind me. “Grab your food and drink and join us.”
I twisted my head to see Aiden giving Maz one of those significant looks. About me? About something else?
Then his gaze dipped down to me, and for a moment, nothing else existed. His black hair fell nearly to his beautiful green eyes, their contrast stark and mysterious. The shadow of his stubble merely enhanced his bronze cheekbones and embraced his lips like a gift.
He was the most attractive man I’d ever seen. Even with the threat he posed. Even when I was furious with him for the position he put me in.
He’d called me beautiful twice now. But he was only charming when he wanted something. I couldn’t trust his little sympathies or his warm smiles. And I certainly couldn’t trust the way he was looking at me now, as if I, too, were the only person in the room.
“After you,” he said, tipping his head.
I pursed my lips and made my way to the target. The two men throwing were getting increasingly sloppy as their empty mugs piled higher. They didn’t deserve those knives. I did. Ineededthem.
The men’s bloodshot eyes looked me up and down and dismissed me.
I stepped closer. “Best of three. Winner names their price.”
The bigger one guffawed, his knife hitting well outside the bullseye. He wore leather boots and a wide-brimmed hat, both caked with dust. He smelled of livestock and cheap beer. A cattle driver from the province of Winspere. Likely spent a lot of time in the saddle, playing with his knives.
I’d played many a friendly game with others from that rough, wind-swept province, but these two had a nasty look about them. Which would make this all the more satisfying.
The second man wore similarly stained clothes, but his sneer, like his nose, was sharper. “You don’t even have knives, girl.”
I shrugged. “I’ll borrow yours. Advantage to you.”
Beak Nose spat on the floor. “What do we win?”
His friend elbowed him in the side. “She said whatever we want. I knowexactlywhat I’ll be takin’ as my prize.” He licked his lips as his beady eyes crawled over my body.
A wall of warmth crowded my back. “Not if I take your life first.”
Aiden’s growled threat stripped me of my contempt, leaving me cold with shock.
