“Aye.”
“That makes no sense.” When he opened his mouth to reply, I held up a hand to stop him. “It’s no matter anyway, as I do not wish any harm on Arrick or his men. They have been good to us. And in turn, we shall reward them for their service.”
Gunter’s eyes glinted. “Reward? And how will a penniless maiden and impoverished monk reward anyone? With smiles and feelings of gratitude?”
Anger burned through me, eating away at my resolve and intelligence. “Aye.”
“I am to understand that you will travel through Soravale before you head to the Diamond Mountains?”
“Yes. That is what Arrick has suggested.”
“Then I suggest, fair maiden, that you learn to lie better.”
The breath left my lungs in a gush. By the time I’d worked up the ability to speak again, he’d already gone. He walked slowly over to where his horses were penned, holding a hand out to them in a gentle gesture that contrasted starkly with his gruff aura.
Arrick approached from the other direction, so I reluctantly tore my gaze from the newcomer I did not trust to meet the eyes of someone I could reluctantly admit I was growing to trust a great deal.
He paused near us and nodded toward his friend and enemy, “I see you’ve met Gunter Creshnika.”
“Friendly fellow,” Oliver grunted.
Arrick’s lips twitched but his gaze stayed steady on me. “Did he bother you?”
“No.” Arrick raised an eyebrow, forcing me to explain. “At least no more than you do.”
This time I was rewarded with a chuckle. “He doesn’t trust people by nature.”
“I’m not faulting him for that,” I answered. “Some might say you trust people too easily.”
“Are you speaking of yourself?”
“Not me,” I smiled at him. “I wouldn’t dare insult your kindness.”
He stepped closer to me, forcing Oliver to move back. “And yet, it feels as though you are.”
I felt myself lean into him. “I’m merely suggesting that you could learn a few things from your friend.”
His lips twitched. “When the Cavolia set up camp, they allow their horses to sleep in their beds with them. And when they kill an enemy, they bleach their bones and wear them around their waists as belts.”
My gaze flicked to Gunter as he leaned in to nuzzle his horse’s snout. “That cannot be true.” Gunter’s long leather coat hung to his calves, blocking any view of bone belts that might be there.
“Even stranger still, they share their wives.”
My mouth snapped shut and I tore my gaze from Gunter to Arrick. “You don’t mean…”
He nodded confidently, “I do mean.”
Oliver’s face flamed red and he abruptly excused himself.
“What is your point?” I asked Arrick, keeping my eyes fixed on his face, instead of gaping at the Cavolian women and men like I wanted to.
Arrick stepped forward again, letting his fingers trail along the inside of my wrist. “My point is, Tessa of Elysia and Heprin and the Temple of Eternal Light, while he might know better than to trust you, he isn’t really an expert on all of the wise things of this world.”
Some magic danced through the air, warming my skin and belly. I leaned closer to him, hypnotized by the mystery in his eyes and the compelling twist of his lips. “But you are, Arrick Westnovian of the Blood Woods and Commander of the Rebel Army?”
He flinched. Just barely. I wouldn’t have caught it if I hadn’t been staring at him. But there, in his eyes was a moment of doubt… or regret… or…
He bent down brushing his mouth against mine. I lost my breath at the sensation.
