Something sharp in his voice made me look more closely athim.
“You do not likeDothik?” I asked.
His eyes narrowed on me.
“But you grew up there, didn’t you?” I questioned, shamelessly trying to pry.
The corner of his lips quirked, but I sensed there was no amusement behind his smile. His expression was fierce, watchful, and dark.
“Do you like where you grew up,kalles?” he threw back, his voice mocking.
I sobered, but didn’t let him deter me. “What’s it like? The capitol?”
“Full of beings who only worship their gold, a stiff drink, and a good fucking,” he replied easily.
“Careful, Seerin,” I murmured, watching him, so strangely fascinated by his words that I didn’t even realize I’d used his name for the first time, “or else I might think that you’re bitter.”
“If you live inDothiklong enough,rei thissie,” he murmured, reaching out to brush my lips with his claws, making my breath hitch and my scalp tingle, “you are nothing but bitter.”
“Then I am glad you left,” I told him, the truth soft in my voice, “and sad you must return.”
His lips quirked again, but this time, I was relieved to see a familiar softness. His fingers left my lips and he pulled away. When he stepped towards the entrance of the tent, my shoulders sagged and my breath left me in a rush, released of his eyes.
It took me a moment to realize my heart was pounding in my chest and my pain seemed lessened.
The demon king ducked his head out, but then paused. He turned to look at me and then ordered, “Come here,kalles.”
Curious, I rose from the bed, feeling blood soak into the cloth between my legs underneath my clothes. I clutched at Blue’s feathers around my neck as I approached him.
He pulled back the flaps of the tent ever so slightly and my eyes widened.
The first frost.
A sprinkling of white shimmered over the land, not yet the blanket of heavy snow and ice that would come later. The air was dry and frigid. Even then, I felt it sting my cheeks.
Another cold season had come, but looking out over the land right then didn’t fill me with as much dread or fear as it had before.
I knew why he was showing me.
A reminder. Of our first wager, the one I’d lost. That with the first frost, my duty as hisalukkiriwould begin, though I was still uncertain what that meant.
I will find out, I thought.
“I will see you tonight,rei alukkiri,” he purred.
Then he was gone.
Chapter Eighteen
Irritation was making my temple throb as I looked around thevoliki, at the three elders, Vodan, and my head warrior.
“The reports from the Dead Lands prove nothing,” I said, keeping my tone even and calm despite the rising heat within my chest. “We all know that during the cold season, the Ghertuns go underground. None are seen for months.”
One of the elders argued, “Which is why ourDothikkarwants to attack soon. We strikethem. It is why you are meeting inDothik, is it not? To formulate a plan of attack?”
“We are meeting inDothikbecause of theDothikkar’swhim,” I replied. “Nothing more.”
Vodan cut me a sharp look. I locked eyes with the elder across the high table we stood around. It had been a long day, a wasted one, because I felt we’d gotten nowhere.
