I chuckled. “Isn’t he grouchy all the time?”
“Hey, I—” Vesper began. “Actually, I agree with Bassiano for once.”
“I find the histories enlightening, Branrir,” Quinn offered.
The old Hindsight beamed at her, positively delighted.
Squinting through the rain, I asked, “What’s with the…houses in the trees?”
“You’ll find most troll villages are built above ground like this,” Branrir said as we crossed one of the wide, rope-bound bridges. The planks swayed gently beneath our feet, creaking in rhythm with the rain. “It isn’t for the view, mind you. Trolls are too dense to swim—stone in their bones, as the old saying goes.When the lowlands flood, everything below the canopy disappears under water. Up here, they stay dry.”
He wiped rain from his spectacles, glancing toward the pulley systems overhead. “There’s strategy in it, too. Goblins can’t climb worth a damn. When tensions flare between the groups, the trolls simply roll up the walkways and raise the ladders. One tug of that cord, and this whole village becomes a fortress suspended in the forest floor.”
He nodded toward a nearby cluster of drums. “ThePluvo Vokaswarn them when the rivers rise. Between those and their height advantage, they’ve managed to outlast every flood, feud, and foolish king this land has ever known.”
We followed the winding path upward, hooves clattering on damp wooden planks. Faces peeked out from curtained windows, disappearing as quickly as they appeared. At the far end of the upper terrace, a structure was built into the thick trunk of the tallest tree. Its roof slanted dangerously, and the painted sign above the door swung wildly in the wind.
The Wandering Root.
We halted the horses before the stables, though the narrow overhang did little to shield us from the torrential rain. A side door creaked open, and a stable hand emerged—broad-shouldered, hood drawn low. At first, I thought he was a large man, another mountain-born laborer hardened by long winters and heavy work.
Then he drew closer, and the hood slipped back, allowing the lantern light to strike his face. I froze. The sharp tusks jutting past his lower lip were unmistakable, as were the pale, watery eyes and skin with a faint gray-green cast. His hands were massive, the nails dark and curved, made for tearing rather than tending.
A troll.
It had been years since I’d seen one this close, and even longer since one hadn’t been actively trying to kill me. Myfingers tightened on reflex on the hilt at my hip. The troll saw me at the same moment, and he stilled. Shock flickered across his wide features. I guessed he was just as surprised to see humans as we were to see him. We stared at each other through the rain.
With careful, deliberate motions, he dipped his head and reached for the reins. “Sir, milady,” he rumbled, the words rough but respectful.
Releasing my grip on my sword hilt, I nodded back as I handed him the reins. “Thank you.”
I swung down in a single motion and turned, already reaching for Quinn. “Here,” I said, holding out my arms. “I’ve got you.”
She blinked at me, wet strands of hair plastered to her cheek. “I can—” she began, but before she could finish, her boot slipped on the slick stirrup.
She yelped?—
And fell straight into me.
I caught her hard and fast, her weight collapsing against my chest. Pain flared sharply at my side, dragging a hiss through my teeth as the movement pulled at the barely healing gash on my ribs. Still, my arms locked instinctively around her waist, steadying her.
Our quickened breath mingled.
We were close.
Too close.
I could count the raindrops clinging to her lashes. See the wild flutter of her pulse at the base of her throat. Her hands gripped my shirt, right over my racing heart. Her gaze flicked—briefly, unmistakably—to my mouth.
The rain dulled into distant applause. If I leaned forward an inch, I could press my lips to hers. I wanted to kiss her like I’d never wanted anything else. I wanted to taste her and forgetevery reason I shouldn’t. I wanted her to kiss me back like she meant it.
Her eyes met mine in a silent question.
My lips parted in answer.
“Mreeeaaauugh!”
A wet, furious yowl shattered the moment.
