There was more to her than what he saw. He just didn’t know what, and he didn’t like unsolved puzzles.
Trying not to think about it, he went to his horse and swung himself up into the saddle. He took a minute to scowl at them. “Ready?”
Gisela nodded, even though she wasn’t sure about this. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear the two men were talking to each other with their thoughts.
Did Xaydin have telepathy? Meara didn’t and neither did she. But she had no idea what powers trolls possessed. Other than physical strength and height.
And apparently sarcasm that wouldn’t stop.
Xaydin swept his gaze over them, then kicked his horse forward.
Gisela followed with Masakage riding by her side.
“Have you ever been to Oath Island?” she asked Masakage.
“No. Not exactly the kind of place I venture to.”
There was a peculiar note in his voice. “What kind of places do you frequent?”
“Ones with real monsters.”
Xaydin scoffed. “You don’t think real monsters are those I fight?”
“Didn’t say that. Theaþaswereare their own special hell. I don’t envy you those fights. Or your mission.”
“His mission?” Gisela asked.
Masakage looked away.
After a brief hesitation, Xaydin answered. “My father was killed by anaþaswere.One day, I’m going to find him and make sure he never takes another life.”
“How long have you been searching?” The question was no sooner out of her mouth than she regretted it.
Thrice more given the amount of anger in his eyes. It was such that they flashed red.
“Since your father died,” she answered for him. “Sorry for the thoughtless, stupid question.”
Given her own feelings for her father, she had a hard time remembering that other people didn’t feel the same way about theirs.
Paternal love. The most alien of concepts for her. Well, aside from maternal love. She didn’t understand that one either.
Or any other kind of love, really. Her world had been too harsh for that.
How any kind of love could survive this hell of a world, she had no idea. People betrayed and they lied.
Never trust anyone.
Yet here she was, trusting two creatures who were her enemies. Well, maybe not trust. It was impossible to trust those she knew had opposing goals.
More than that, she knew the troll prince would kill her if he ever discovered the truth about her.
Get in line.
He wouldn’t be the only one who’d cause her harm. That was a long and mighty list of foes who would relish her death. Starting with her mother if that secret was ever revealed.
How she hated this world. This mission.
She should probably hate her companions as well. Yet they were oddly amusing.
