“You must surround yourself with people you trust,” said Runný. She hauled her black braids over a shoulder, twisting their silver cuffs nervously. “I was considering…” She glanced at her brother, then quickly back at Silla. “It is merely an idea. Perhaps a foolish one at that.” Runný rolled onto her toes, then back down. “I thought of accompanying you and Galtung to Kopa.”
The color seemed to drain from Vig’s face, but to Silla’s surprise, he remained silent.
“You’ll need protection on the road,” continued Runný. “Allies in Kopa. And I hope”—Runný cleared her throat—“I hope you know you can trust me.”
This was the part where a good leader would have wise words, or perhaps oaths to be sworn. But Silla threw her arms around a startled Runný and hugged her tightly.
“You’ll need to get used to me, Runný,” Silla said brightly, pulling back. “I do love to hug. Of course we’d love that.”
“Yes, well…good.” Runný’s eyes met her brother’s. “Vig?”
His eyes were shining as he beamed at her. “Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes. You should go.” Vig sent a wistful look at the skies. “Too long have I begrudged others for the choices they’ve made. I will work on…not doing this.”
Runný’s lips pressed together, but her smile shone through. “I am pleased to hear it, brother.”
Vig cleared his throat. “Yes, well…Imust stay in the north. Someone must lead the hunt for the hatchlings and ensure the chasm remains closed.”
“I worry for you,” Runný said with a swallow.
Vig sent her a wry smile. “Don’t worry for me. I am far more fierce than a seal pup, as you well know.” And with that, he wrapped a bare, burly arm around Runný’s neck and pulled her into a headlock.
“Arse!” she exclaimed, driving an elbow into his ribs.
Silla watched the siblings spar for a moment, a pang of jealousy filling her. What would it have been like to grow up with a sister? She would never know. The Urkans had robbed her of the chance.
Biting down on her back teeth, Silla turned and approached the cabin. The frost of her hair and lashes had melted, and she brushed the moisture away. Rey watched her, setting his blade aside. “You’re getting better at weaving the sword,” he said with a quirk of his full lips. At the memory of what those lips had done this morning, Silla fought the urge to crawl in his lap and wrap herself around him.
“I can read your wicked thoughts, woman,” Rey said in a low voice, his lips tipping into an Almost Smile. He was doing this more and more, each time drawing a full, shining grin from Silla.
Rey’s large hand wrapped around her own, pulling her between his spread legs. The way he was seated, she could look straight into his eyes without craning her neck. Rey smoothed a silver-cuffed braid from her face, cupping her jaw. “And to think I ever thought you sweet,” he murmured, drawing her in for a soft, and entirely too brief, kiss.
“And I thought you murderous,” she whispered, chasing his lips as he pulled back, and recapturing them with her own.
He made a sound of amusement. “Iammurderous,” he managed, drawing back for a bare second before his arms tightened around her back, pressing her firmly to him.
“Runný will join us on our return to Kopa,” said Silla, glancing over her shoulder. The siblings were still sparring, Runný leaping onto Vig’s back and wrapping her arm around his neck.
“Good,” said Rey. “Runný is a good ally to have by our side. There are others who’ve expressed similar sentiments.” His gaze softened to something like pride. “Your presence has already brought a sense of change to these parts.”
Silla let out an uncomfortable breath. “I’ve done nothing but act as serpent bait.”
Rey stood, pulling her into him. Sighing, Silla wrapped her arms around his middle, resting her chin on his chest and gazing up at him.
“You know what I used to call you behind your back?” she asked sweetly.
He quirked a brow.
“A walking boulder.” Silla snickered.
“Do you wish to know what I called you?” he asked with a glint in his eye.
Silla nodded.
“A pain in my arse.”
