She nodded, another yawn breaking free, and Rey slipped from the bed, pulling on his undertunic. A moment later, he was through the curtain, sliding it back to shield Silla from view.
Vig’s smile was wide and knowing, and Rey realized he, too, was smiling. He forced his expression into a scowl. “What is it, Vig?”
Vig slid onto the bench, resting an elbow on the long table.
“Let us talk outdoors,” Rey said quickly. There wasn’t a chance he could hold a serious conversation while seated at that table. After pulling on stockings and boots, he strode into the yard.
“Galtung?” asked Vig, grinning like a wolverine as he sauntered toward him. “Anything you need to tell me?”
“No.” But Rey cursed inwardly as he smothered a yawn with his hand.
Vig chuckled. “Mmm. I suppose you were up all night,gazing at the stars.”
Rey ignored his friend.
A knowing look spread across Vig’s face as he folded his bare arms over his chest. “Thank the gods, Galtung, I was getting sick of all the longing looks?—”
“Enough, Twig Arms.”
Gleaming white teeth shone from within Vig’s black beard. “So touchy, Galtung. And here I’d thought a good romp in the furs would loosen that stick up your arse.”
Rey merely scowled.
“Good news first, then,” said Vig with a shrug. “The serpent struck again, but our victim escaped unharmed. And we have a sighting.”
Immediately, Rey’s mood lifted. The serpent…gods, in the wake of the Wolf Feeders’ attack, he hadn’t thought of it once. He tried to count the days since the serpent’s last attack, but quickly lost count. Far more than seven days, whatever the number was.
“Bjalla Gray Locks,” continued Vig. “Takes his ale at the Split Skull. We’ll talk to him today.”
“Good,” grunted Rey.
Vig scratched his beard, his gaze growing wary. “The bad news is Kálf is no longeraskingto see you. He’sdemandedyour presence at the Uppreisna meeting tonight. Has threatened to have you dragged before him if you don’t answer for Ketill and the Wolf Feeders.”
Rey let out a long exhale. In truth, he’d been bracing for this. Had he been alone, he’d have gone to see Kalasgarde’s local Uppreisna chieftain immediately upon arrival. But he’d been trying to buy Silla time; trying to give her the space she needed to grow into Eisa…
Now it seemed time was in short supply.
“Very well,” muttered Rey. How could he explain the invasion of their peaceful town by a violent warband? Would they buy that the Wolf Feeders were here to hunt the Slátrari? But Ketill had lured Rey away. Had tried to takeher.And surely those birch planks would be making their way through the north. It was entirely possible they’d reached Kalasgarde.
After arranging to meet at the Split Skull later, Vig departed, and Rey strode into the shield-home. Silla was bent over the cauldron, the nutty scent of toasted grains filling his senses. Clad in a red tunic and black breeches, Silla straightened and turned. Warmth spread through Rey as his eyes fell upon the small braids scattered amongst her curls.
“What…” she asked sleepily.
“I need you to come to a meeting with me,” he said in a rush.
“What happened torest and take your time?” she grumbled.
“Come here,” he muttered, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him. Hands sliding under her jaw, he cupped her face and brushed his lips against hers. The feel of her was so sublime, it took every ounce of his will not to drag her back to that bed.He forced himself to draw back.
Cupping her face, he looked into her eyes. “I need you to come to a meeting with me.”
Her brows dipped low. “Are you trying to kiss me into agreeing?”
A laugh rumbled low in his chest. “Did it work?”
But a look of concern had crept into her face. “What is this meeting?”
Rey licked his lips, searching for the right combination of words. “It is run by Kalasgarde’s local Uppreisna chieftain.” Now there was no mistaking the panic in her eyes. “A gathering of local Galdra. I need to explain why there are two dozen bodies in the burial grounds, Silla.”
