Another male approached. “Break the rune on my bracer, and I will give you a full quiver of ash-tipped arrows.”
A female elbowed him aside, tossing her braid over hershoulder. “Arrows. Please. I have a fellcat pelt from last night. Warm and thick. She can have it.”
The thief in me wanted to hoard everything like I’d done in Skalgard. That instinct ran bone-deep—take what you can get, because tomorrow it’ll be gone.
But they were offering me things they’d worked for, and I had a closet of expensive dresses and three meals a day I didn’t have to steal or beg for. Taking from them would be pure greed.
“I don’t want payment.” I smiled at them. “I already have what I need.”
The blond warrior gave me a nod, almost a bow.
The crowd pressed closer and within minutes, a line had formed. Warriors glanced at the red-veined sky, jaws tight.
Some runes broke easily. Others fought viciously, making my palms tingle. After two hours, sweat slid down my back, but I kept breaking runes. They’d be marching into chaos I’d caused. The least I could do was make sure their blades worked properly.
“Enough.”
A thunderous voice cracked across the yard.
Kairos carved through the crowd, a feral light in his eyes as he faced his warriors.
“Not one of you thought to make her rest?”
The warriors stiffened. Some frowned.
“I’m fine,” I said.
He planted himself in front of me, mist writhing around his fists. “This is the girl who saved your kin in Vaelrith, and here you are, lining up to drain her strength further?”
Several males bowed their heads.
“Everything she breaks costs her,” Kairos seethed. “You are better than this.”
The blond warrior stepped forward. “She offered, my king.”
“She doesn’t know when to stop, butyoudo. And it is your duty to protect your own, not exploit them. The next person who works her to exhaustion will answer tome.” Kairos let out a loose growl. “Now get out of my sight.”
The warriors scattered.
“Kairos,” I whispered. “I wanted to help.”
He looked at me, and the fire in his gaze dimmed. “You’re swaying on your feet.”
Oh. I hadn’t noticed.
His mouth tightened. “How long have you been doing this?”
I glanced at the sky. “A few hours?”
He dragged a hand down his face.
“If I help them, I’m helpingyou. Each warrior freed from a bad rune is one less liability in battle.” My voice softened. “A female had a sword she’d been holding forthree years.”
He grunted. “Barra. I’ll deal with her later.”
“No, you won’t.”
His head snapped toward me. “They don’t get to use you.”
