Page 199 of Forcing Fate

Chapter Forty

Korzak was a chime’s distance from the barracks, buried in a snowdrift. Thankfully, he was still breathing, though blue and freezing. We managed to pull him onto a horse and made for the fortress. We made it back just as night settled in.

Rafe and Jamlin heaved Korzak’s giant body onto a cot.

“I’ll take the horses back. Jam, Avyanna, tend to him,” Rafe ordered, starting for the doors.

I stepped after him. “I’ll go.”

“And get lost in the snow as well? Obey your orders,” he growled, then stormed out of the fortress.

My brows met in a frown and I turned back to Jam and Korzak. Was he ashamed to be caught in such a situation with me?

“Help me move him closer to the fire,” Jam instructed.

I hurried to help push the heavy cot. Jam’s shaking hands fumbled as he attempted to remove Korzak’s wet clothes.

I batted him away. “Tend to yourself,” I insisted. “I’ll ask for your help when I need it.”

A silent question lit his eyes, and I shooed him off like a child. He shrugged out of his cloak, and I started on Korzak’s tunic. I removed his clothes with no assistance. It was a struggle, but one I did willingly. His state of undress didn’t faze me. There was something about caring for someone in need that took all immodesty from the situation.

Once Jamlin got dressed in dry clothes, he removed Korzak’s under-breeches, and I turned away until he’d been covered with a warm blanket. I found a spare rag and dabbed at Korzak’s wet face, drying his head and hair as much as I could.

Jamlin finished fussing over the giant and dropped beside me. His weight bowed the cot, and I shook my head as we studied Korzak’s peaceful expression. While asleep, he was handsome, as if he were a mature man. It was when he opened his eyes or spoke that made his childlikeness apparent.

“What happened?” I asked.

“The fool wouldn’t listen to me. He swore he would be put to death if he was left outside the walls,” Jam said, rubbing his face. “I tried to tell him that no one expected us to travel in this weather, but he wouldn’t listen.

“I followed him, leading him back to the path several times. His horse spooked halfway back and disappeared. My mare couldn’t carry us both, so we walked. It’s as if his size robs him of any endurance or stamina. He fell into the drift, and the blasted man is too heavy for me to lift.”

I looked from Jam’s thick arms to Korzak. Korzak was massive, putting on weight in the past few months. He was no longer the lanky giant I was first introduced to.

“I’m glad we found him,” I whispered.

“Likewise.” Jamlin faced me, jerking his chin at the door. “You and Rafe were practicing?”

“Aye, I have a new spear,” I said, grinning as I nodded to the weapon tucked under my cot.

“Looked like maybe more.”

“More what?”

“More than just practice.” Jam spoke carefully, scrutinizing my face.

His dark brown eyes pinned me, and my heart stuttered with guilt. I ducked my head away from his gaze.

“It wasn’t. I swear,” I breathed.

“Not my business.”.

I peeked up at him, cursing the heat in my cheeks.

He shrugged. “But there might be others that would object if you shared a bed.”

“We’re not.” My face felt like it was on fire, but I spoke the truth.

He stared at me for a moment longer before nodding, his expression sober.

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