When Theron still didn’t move, I said, “Don’t make me go back there and get those men to drag you into the woods, because I will.”
Theron’s eyes darkened, his nostrils flaring. For a moment, I feared Iwouldhave to rely on the innkeeper’s sons to get the hunter to come this way. But then he followed after me, his arms rigid at his sides.
I followed the worn path through the foliage, knowing my way despite the fresh powder of snow that masked the well-worn trail. To my surprise, the hunter followed with lithe grace, hardly making a sound. He was a predator when he moved. Not a twig snapped. The snow didn’t even crunch with his steps.
Then, I remembered he was an assassin. A hunter. He was probably as comfortable in the woods as I was.
“Perhaps your fae magic is stealth,” I said over my shoulder. I had never heard a person walk so quietly. The onlyreason my own steps didn’t echo in the wood was because I knew exactly where to step. But it had taken me years of practice.
“Perhaps,” he said vaguely. He was much closer than I’d thought, so I quickened my pace to put more distance between us.
It didn’t take me long to reach the grove where Mauro liked to graze. Sure enough, I found him, poised and elegant, his magnificent antlers brushing snow off the branches as he turned his head to blink slowly at my approach.
“Hi there,” I said with a wide smile. “Ready to go on a trip?”
Behind me, Theron stilled. “Are you talking to that stag?”
I almost snorted at the note of incredulity in his voice. It gave me an absurd amount of pleasure to cause him such bewilderment. Ignoring his question, I reached up and scratched Mauro underneath his chin. His eyes closed, and he rumbled a growl of approval.
“No,” he grumbled.
A startled noise sounded from Theron, and I bit back another grin. I didn’t often get to show off my relationship with faerie creatures, so I planned to savor it.
“I hate traveling,” Mauro said.
I gave him my most innocent, doe-eyed look. “Come on, Mauro. You promised.” My lower lip puckered in a frown that I knew would make him melt.
Mauro blinked once at me, then sighed heavily. “Fine. But only because you give the best neck rubs.”
I smiled, then turned to Theron, who was watching Mauro with a vicious intensity.
“He’s fae,” the hunter murmured.
He didn’t sound surprised; he sounded wary. His darkeyes were shrewd and lethal as he appraised the stag, like one beast assessing another.
“No shit,” I said in a flat voice.
Mauro lowered his head to glare at Theron. “Who is this? I don’t like him. He smells like blood.”
“This foul man is my companion,” I replied, then frowned. “Sorry, I suppose I should say this foulmaleis my companion. Aren’t you fae sensitive about that distinction?”
Theron’s scowl deepened, his eyes still fixed on Mauro. “Some are. But the humans and fae of the Winter Court have mingled for so long that we’ve become desensitized to it.” The disgust in his voice told me he was unhappy with this fact.
I rolled my eyes and said to Mauro, “Don’t worry, he’s not my traveling companion by choice. But he won’t harm you. Right, Theron?”
Theron’s body was rigid, as if prepared to do battle. “You trust this creature?”
I stiffened at the accusation in his tone. “Yes, I do. More than I trust you, as a matter of fact.”
He scoffed. “Then you’re a fool. Fae beasts are not to be trusted.”
Mauro started pawing at the snow at his feet. “I really don’t like this fellow.”
“I don’t, either,” I muttered. “But we’re stuck with him. If he causes you trouble, you have my permission to skewer him with your antlers.” I shot Theron my widest smile, and his scowl deepened.
Mauro obediently sank to his knees while I climbed atop him. His fur was soft, and even without a saddle, his back provided a smooth ride. I had tried riding a wild stag once, and it wasn’t the same. Very uncomfortable. Not tomention Mauro was so offended he wouldn’t speak to me for a week.
“And I suppose I’m just meant to walk by your side, am I?” Theron said, spreading his arms.
