The ones that hunted me preferred hidden daggers. It was much easier to stab the target in the heart before he had any idea he was in danger.
But there was something about her—the button nose, the high cheekbones, and the line of her sharp jaw. That, combined with her rich brown hair, made it impossible for her to be anyone else. She looked so much like a Rurik.
And if she was who I thought she was, she was here to kill me.
Sorrow weighed heavily on my shoulders. The answer to my dreaded predicament was obvious. The assassin was fast asleep. She’d never see me coming. I could have my axe buried in her skull before she even opened her eyes.
But a vicious ache went through me at the thought of it. I hadn’t killed anyone in well over a decade. I’d left that life behind—permanently. It was why I’d come to this island in the first place. And it was why I planned to stay here for what I wanted to be a very long and boring life. There was enough blood painting my hands. I didn’t want any more of it.
What was I to do? WhatcouldI do? Ignoring her wasn’t an option, either. She’d already found me. Soon, she’d nock her arrow, aim it at my head, and send it flying.
Should I take her captive? I could lock her up inside my cottage instead of letting her attempt to kill me, but…then what? I couldn’t keep her prisoner forever. And eventually, the villagers would come round—theyalwayscame round if I went too long without seeing anyone. What the fuck would they think about me keeping an elven woman chained up inside my house?
I scratched the base of my left tusk, thinking. The assassin had found my home tonight, but she hadn’t made an attempt on my life yet. I knew how these people worked. Stealth was the highest priority, and staying here any longer than necessary increased the risk that someone might spot her, even out here in the woods.
If she hadn’t taken aim yet, there was a reason.
Which meant…she might be after something else—something more than just me. And if she was, I had to find out what it was before she got it.
With a grim nod, I turned away from my new enemy and wound through the trees in the direction of my cottage. I knew what I needed to do. I would pretend to make friends with the damn elf and get her to trust me.
And if that didn’t work?ThenI’d have no choice but to ask the local blacksmith for some chains.
4
FRIDA
When a soft, wet nose nudged my hand, unrelenting panic lurched through me. I was out of the tree and on my feet with my bow in hand before I saw the creature. A large black cat perched on the leafy ground and gazed up at me with intense black eyes. Her tail curled around her, the fluffy tip sitting on her paws. Her entire body seemed to hum.
“Oh.” I laughed awkwardly and lowered my bow. “Hello there, kitty. Sorry, you caught me off guard.”
The cat continued to purr. I knelt and reached out a hand. For a long moment, all she did was stare at me, but she eventually rose and padded over. She rubbed her flank against my legs and primly accepted the scratch beneath her chin.
“Good kitty,” I said, smiling. “Do you live here? Don’t tell me I unknowingly stole your house for the night.”
I looked behind me at the tree hollow and its bed of pine needles. It would make a pretty nice den for a cat, I supposed.Some of the cats I’d befriended near my cottage had kept similar dwellings.
“Don’t worry. You didn’t steal that tree from her. Moira lives with me,” a rough, deep voice said.
My entire body went taut. Nerves buzzing, I slowly lifted my gaze to find a towering, muscular orc standing before me with his arms folded over his broad chest. Sunlight filtered in through the canopy and illuminated the silver tusks jutting from his lips and his moss-green skin. He wore his raven hair tied back from his face, revealing the line of rings that decorated his sharply tipped ears. Clad in a simple white tunic with intricate vines embroidered into the neckline, he reminded me of a towering, imposing statue of an infamous warrior—but one someone had placed a flower crown upon. For a moment, I felt flummoxed. I knew I was staring, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Thismustbe Rune. My mark. My intention to remain out of sight had vanished into the dawning light. He’d found me—or his cat had.
I cleared my throat and stood, trying to act nonchalant. “Good morning. Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
He arched a dark brow, scowling. “That seems unlikely, what with you making camp on my property and all.”
I swallowed. “This is your property? It just looked like more of the forest to me…”
“My property line extends out past my cottage and deep into the trees.”
“Oh.” I shifted on my feet. “I’m sorry. I truly didn’t realize. I’ll just be on my way…”
This was going horribly. If my father could see me now, he’d be so disappointed. Not one day on the island, and I’d already mucked this up. I just had to hope I could turn it around somehow. Maybe if I vanished into the trees and remained hidden for a while, Rune would forget about me…
I didn’t think that was likely, though.
Clenching my jaw, I grabbed my pack from the trunk and started to walk away. Every muscle in my body was so stiff, it was like the wood of the forest had consumed me.
