“People who are so blinded by pride they cannot see truth.”
The intensity of those words was jarring, making me spin toward him.
“I’m not blinded by pride,” I said.
The opposite. I’d forsaken all of it to save my people, and I was fine with that. I only hoped the gods would see why I’d done what I’d done and reward me for it instead of condemning me to Helheim.
“Who said I was talking about you?”
I groaned. “Can you ever answer a question outright?”
His lips twitched. “If you ask the right ones.”
Shaking my head, I started walking into the glen again. As I went to sit down by the tree, Darcke’s hand wrapped around my wrist, and he pulled me toward him. “How about I’ll answer some of your questions after each time you fight me?”
I did my best spoiled-heir grimace, lifting my brows while pursing my lips. “You’re not that interesting.”
“Liar.” He patted his chest. “I can feel that you’re intrigued by me.”
“You’re mistaking annoyance for interest.”
“Really?” Darcke moved so swiftly I didn’t have time to react, his body pressing me against the tree, making my heart jump against my ribs. “Then what was that?”
“Surprise, you bastard.” I pushed a finger into his chest. “Happens to everyone who gets crushed by a massive brooding warrior.”
A spark of warmth raced across the bond, and we looked away at the same time. Darcke remained in place, though, his chest pressing against mine until my spine raked against the bark.
“Can you move?” I asked.
He tilted his head. “No.”
Understanding dawned within me at the satisfaction flickering within him. Using both my hands, I pushed against his chest. “Move.”
“Make me,” he challenged.
“No.”
Darcke moved even closer, his hands resting on the trunk while he bent his head down. “Make me move, heir.”
“No.”
Adrenaline began boiling through my blood, making my limbs twitch. More satisfaction burned within the warrior, a smirk sliding into place across his face.
It only made me angrier.
His hands dropped to my shoulders, and I stiffened when he moved his cheek to rest against my own. “Fight me,” he whispered.
His body made everything warmer, and a bead of sweat formed at my temple.
“No,” I echoed.
He pulled back so he could glare at me. As our gazes collided, the drop of sweat trickled down my face, slid over my mouth and down my chin, then made its way over my neck until it disappeared into my tunic.
Darcke’s eyes followed, and when they lifted again, something within him jolted. It was like a tiny spark that awoke in his chest, then whirled, sprinting toward the bond, where it surged, finding its way into me. My body twitched without my permission, and his already dark eyes went impossibly black.
He stepped back at the same time I blurted out, “Fine, I’ll fight you.”
The smirk on his face was fake, but neither of us commented on it as he gave a nod before stalking backward and beckoning for me with his finger.
