Oskar was weathering this with ill grace. “Happy now?” he said when she reached him. “Can we go?”
“No, actually,” she replied. “I don’t think I’m quite done. What do you think, children? Do you think Mr Soldier here and I could beat you in a race?”
The children erupted into cheers and laughter at the prospect of racing against Lily and Oskar.
“We’ll race down that hill and whoever wins gets bragging rights!” Lily said.
The children squealed with excitement, eagerly accepting the challenge. Oskar’s scowl deepened, clearly unimpressed.
“This is ridiculous.”
“It’s just a bit of fun! What’s the matter? Scared you’ll lose?”
“Fine,” he grumbled reluctantly, eyeing the slope. “But dinna come crying when I leave all of ye eating my snow dust.”
The children wasted no time in lining up at the top of the hill to prepare for the race. One of the girls leant Oskar her sled and the boy who had offered Lily the sled stepped forward, acting as the self-appointed referee. Lily and Oskar sat on their sleds.
“Ready? Go!”
With an almighty heave, Lily pushed off. As she flew down the slope, a surge of exhilaration flooded through her. Aroundher, the children laughed and whooped and glancing back, she saw Oskar closing in on her, a fierce competitiveness burning in his eyes.
Oh, so he thought this was ridiculous did he?
The finish line was in sight, marked by a large tree at the bottom of the slope. She glanced to her right and saw that Oskar was level with her. She met his gaze and saw something dancing in his eyes that she’d never seen before. Joy. It made his eyes sparkle. This, along with the boyish grin that curled his lips, and his fiery hair whipping out behind him, made him so handsome that for an instant, Lily’s breath caught.
Then one of the girls came racing past and crossed the finish line ahead of them both. Lily skidded to a stop in a flurry of snow.
The children erupted into cheers and applause, surrounding the victorious girl and patting her on the back.
Oskar climbed to his feet and held out his hand for Lily. She took it, and he pulled her up. She found herself looking up into his face. He was breathing heavily, his broad chest rising and falling. Lily couldn’t help but notice the warmth radiating from Oskar’s hand as it held hers. It was a stark contrast to the frigid air around them, sending a gentle tingle up her arm.
He released her hand slowly, his eyes lingering on hers for a second before he turned away and strode over to the excited children.
“Well, it seems we were beaten fair and square,” he said, tousling the winner’s hair. “Well done, lass.” Oskar reached into his pocket and took out a small coin which he tossed to the girl.
She snatched it out of the air, grinning delightedly. “Thank ye, mister!” The other children crowded around Oskar and the girl, eager to see her prize.
Lily watched, a soft smile playing on her lips. Despite his gruff demeanor, there was something undeniably charming about Oskar when he let his guard down.
As the children began to disperse, he came over to her. “All right,” he said. “I’ll give ye that one. That was more fun than I expected.”
Lily smiled, pleased with herself. “I knew you’d enjoy it,” she said, playfully nudging Oskar’s arm. “You aren’t all seriousness and snark.”
“Maybe just this once,” he admitted. “But dinna get used to it.”
They said goodbye to the children and trudged back up the hill, their footprints criss-crossing the tracks made by the sleds.
As they reached the top, Lily paused. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For this. I haven’t had this much fun in ages.”
Oskar shrugged. “Dinna mention it. It was...nice to let loose for a while.”
As Oskar stooped to gather their packs, Lily took a firm hold of her staff. She turned to wave down at the children and then set off, feeling a little lighter than she had before.
OSKAR SQUINTED AT THEsun, trying to gauge the time. It was difficult to evenfindthe sun behind the thick overcast that blanketed the sky from end to end, but he guessed it was nearing midmorning.
Damn. They weren’t making very good time and their little distraction hadn’t helped. Sledding for Heaven’s sake! What had gotten into him? What had he been doing throwing himself down a snowy hill with a bunch of children? He shook his head. He must be losing his mind. Although, he grudgingly had to admit that ithadbeen fun.
Fun?he thought.You aren’t supposed to be having fun! Do you think Emeric and Magnus are having fun chasing down Alfred Brewer?
