Please. I’m desperate.
I shifted in the saddle. “What?”
“Can you construct a shelter?”
“He’s a warrior.” Grayson’s lips curled into a sneer. “He doesn’t build cozy cottages.”
“According to Pierce, she stood over your body and fought off multiple attackers. Maybe you should dial back the disdain.” My voice was so low that only Grayson could hear it.
“Don’t tell me you’re considering it?” His eyes narrowed as if I’d betrayed him.
I suppressed the urge to whack him on the back of the head. “It’s cold, and the visibility is shit. We could easily lose the track.” Also, the temperature had dropped in the past hour. Tiny shards of ice mixed with the snow. The wind was punishing. Taking shelter was smart.
Grayson mumbled something about “going soft,” but he reined in Caspian.
I picked a few widely spaced trees at the side of the narrow track and called vines from the frozen earth. It took a few minutes to weave the vines between the tree trunks.
Flynn tried to help by holding one section in place, but the vines kept slapping him on the ass.
“I think it likes you,” I told him.
“The feeling isn’t mutual,” he muttered. “There’s only one person allowed to spank me.”
I bit back a laugh.
Despite Flynn’s help, three solid walls took shape, blocking the wind. Then I added a roof. There was enough room inside for the horses and for us.
Haven slipped out of the saddle and hurried inside. “Flynn, will you please light a fire?”
He hopped off his mount and trotted after her.
“Like a dog following its master,” Grayson muttered. “You’re both pussy-whipped.”
We should be so lucky. “Give it a rest, Gray.” I slid out of my saddle, grabbed Flynn’s abandoned reins, and led our horses inside.
Haven crouched in front of a merry fire and warmed her hands. She didn’t spare Grayson a glance when he stomped into the shelter. When Pierce and his horse entered, she offered a small smile.
Grayson busied himself with the horses, taking off their saddles, rubbing them down with a dry cloth, and doling out oats. Now that we were all inside, I built a fourth wall, then created a small hole in the ceiling above the fire. A few flakes blew inside, but they were better than choking on the smoke from Flynn’s little blaze.
Pierce pulled our provisions from the saddlebags.
And Flynn? He sat down next to Haven and stared at her. The expression on his handsome face was intent. Obsessed. Was he … drooling?
I shifted, trying to block Grayson’s view. Our fearless leader already knew Flynn was enamored. Flynn was often enamored. But not like this. Obsession was new.
Grayson, who was in an ugly mood, prowled the small space like a caged predator, his frustration radiating outward in waves.
“Here.” Pierce offered Haven a piece of hardtack.
“Thank you.” She brought the biscuit to her lips and wrinkled her nose.
“Problem, Shield?” Grayson’s face was tight with annoyance.
“Nope.” She popped thepand took a tiny bite.
He stopped his pacing and stared down at her. “I have questions.”
“You’re welcome.”
