Page 50 of Oath of Revenge

He shook his head. “No, I’m good.”

They walked in silence until they came close to the river, then he led her South, far enough away from the river that they could still have a conversation while keeping it within sight.

He took her hand again, and this time she didn’t tug it away. “Tell me more about the dragon. We’ve heard the rumors of what happened this summer, and why there’s so many humans in the Robins’ camp.”

She grew quiet and nodded, then said, “It all started when the king of Busparia hired me to kill Eirwyn.”

Wulfric’s brows rose. “The princess? His own sister?”

Even the Growlers knew of the major players at the courts of both neighboring countries. But they hadn’t heard this side of the story.

Scarlet nodded and continued. How they’d fled through the woods with Growlers on their heels. How they’d sought shelter at the cottage, and Eirwyn and Knox had gone to find a hidden magic manor in the forest.

How Scarlet had gone back to the king with a stag’s heart and told him the deed was done.

“But he knew,” Scarlet said softly, her steps slowing to a stop as she stared through the trees with unseeing eyes.

He squeezed her hand, and she looked up at him. The growing shadows made the angles on her face grow sharper. A sense of dread filled him at the darkness in her eyes.

“What happened?” His voice was soft in the stillness as snow fell through the thick trees.

She looked up at the sky and blinked rapidly. His strong warrior woman would hate the tears pooling in her eyes.

“He threw me in the dungeon for a few days. Normal torture, darkness, the stink of decay, and death everywhere.”

She said it so flippantly, but Wulfric’s heart ached for her. He wanted to wrap her into his arms, but she stepped away, tugging his hand to keep walking.

He waited a few steps to reply but didn’t push her. “Well, it’s a good thing the fucker is dead already. Otherwise, I’d have to kill him for hurting you.”

Her lips twitched, but didn’t quite form a smile. He bumped his shoulder with hers. “How did you get away?”

“Knox rescued me,” she said softly. “He and the Robins. They rescued all of us. The king had arrested dozens of people to flush the Robins out of hiding.”

“Let me guess. The dragon saved everyone?” Wulfric asked softly. He wasn’t sure he could ever measure up to her brother. The way she spoke about him with a little irony and awe? He wanted her to talk about him like that too.

She nodded. “Yeah. Knox distracted the king while we escaped. Then the Robins and I went back to the palace and started the rebellion.”

Wulfric nodded, impressed with the strength she’d revealed in just that explanation. She’d gone from a broken prisoner to fighting. His warrior goddess was unlike anyone he’d ever known.

The Growlers had heard of the rebellion, how the people had stormed the castle and set it on fire. He wondered how much of that had been her responsibility.

“The king was killed by a Robin, but the queen blamed us all. It was… life-changing for everyone, I guess. So many people were cursed, and they fled to the forest for safety.”

She laughed suddenly. “I never thought the Feral Forest would be a haven for anyone but the druids, Knox, and I. But crazier things have happened, I guess.”

“Like being mated to a Growler?” he asked.

Her back stiffened, and she nodded, but didn’t say anything for several steps. Wulfric was afraid she was going to close herself off again, get angry and distant. He desperately did not want her to withdraw from him.

But she didn’t let go of his hand, and that gave him hope. They walked side by side, and he kept the the river to his right.

Chapter 16

As they moved through the forest, Scarlet slashed at the thick vines that reached out to grab them while Wulfric used his meaty fists. Assassin vines disintegrated in his hands as he ripped them apart. Sweat glistened on his brow as he worked, his muscles rippling with each powerful stroke. Scarlet couldn’t help but steal glances at him as she hacked away at the vines with her dagger.

Scarlet moved like a crimson blur, her twin daggers flashing in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy. Her breath came in short gasps as she ducked and weaved, always one step ahead of the writhing vines. The vines fell away and they continued their trek through the forest. Sweat cooled as the temperatures dropped.

There wasn’t an awkward silence, but an unexpected easy camaraderie. The more they talked, the more relaxed she became. It was all light-hearted, such as why she hated bees and why how his toes hurt in the boots. The weak winter sun shone down on them, chasing away the cold as they laughed and shared stories. It was as if they had known each other for years, despite having just met. It was like catching up with an old friend rather than getting to know a stranger. She knew that this was the start of something special, and it terrified the shit out of her.

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