Page 34 of The Widow and the Orcs

Heaccompanied this with a light, bobbing sweep of his hand, indeed making the dagger look remarkably like a bird, and now it wasLouisa’smouth falling open, while both children watched with delighted awe in their eyes. “Youkeep it in yourhair?”Stefansqueaked. “Doesit hurt?”

“Orcut your hair?”Ameinterjected, frowning up at whereKillik’stopknot had begun falling around his pointed ears. “How’sit still so long?”

Louisa’sbreath had strangely caught, her eyes fixed onKillik’sface, on that tumble of shiny black hair now slipping to his shoulders.Onwhere he still didn’t look annoyed, or contemptuous, and instead was again holding out the dagger, and making a show of dragging his finger — with its black claw drawn fully in — down the blade’s gleaming edge.

“Notsharp here, ach?” he said. “Onlyat the end.Thisway it does not shear off my hair, soIcan always keep it close, and throw it wheneverIneed.”

Moreawe flashed across both children’s faces, and besideElise, evenJoanwas looking reluctantly impressed.WhileElisestill looked shaky and pale, andGladyswas frowning suspiciously towardKillik, and givingElisea reassuring pat to her shoulder.

“That’svery useful,I’msure,”Gladyssaid toKillik, her voice frosty. “Now, missus, where do you want us to start with this?”

Right.Louisatook a deep breath, forced her attention back to the venison.Andthough she managed some basic instructions, she still couldn’t shake the awareness ofKillikstill here, still standing in her kitchen.Notmoving, not leaving, until she finally mumbled an excuse, and ducked for the door.Andyes, yes,Killikwas here, following her back out into the cool air, into the fading light of the setting sun.

Andwait, it meant they’d somehow spent an entiredaytogether, and asLouisaturned and blinked up at his face, again framed by that fall of shining black hair, it occurred to her that it had quite possibly been the best day of her entire adult life.Aday she would never, ever forget, and it felt hard to breathe, suddenly, the swallow thick in her throat.

“Thankyou,” she said, her voice hitching. “Thatwas — lovely.Allof it.”

Herhand flapped around on its own, flailing at the woods, the house, the dagger still in his hand.AndKilliktwitched a faint smile as he shook his head, and absently began winding his hair around the dagger again. “Ach, it was naught,” he said. “Partof our vow.Wishyou to eat.”

Louisaexhaled and nodded, even as her eyes held to his face, his deft hands binding up his hair. “Well— it was still well beyond what you needed to do,” she replied. “Especiallywith all the lessons, and setting the children at ease just now, like you did.You’re— a good teacher.”

Killikshrugged, though his gaze had flicked beyond her, toward the distant sight of his mountain to the south. “Ach,Ihave practice,” he said dismissively. “Oftteach orclingsSkaiways, at the mountain.”

Wait.Really?Killikwas a teacher?Oforclings… oforc children?

Butyes, yes, his eyes were flinty, now, and he jerked a curt nod. “Wolfdoes this, also,” he added, clipped. “Itis also part of why we seek to help this camp, for we have seen manySkaiorclings who do not have this schooling or safety.”

Louisa’sstomach flipped, her breath juddering in her chest, becauseUlfarrtaught children too?Butof course he did, he’d even mentioned teaching, hadn’t he?Andof course he’d be wonderful at it, too, and how wasLouisaever supposed to forget this, only eight nights —

“Well, you should — take the rest of the venison, and the pelt,” she croaked, waving a shaky hand across the yard toward the rest of the meat. “Forthem.Atyour camp.”

Therewas an instant’s silence, in whichKillikblinked at her, and then back at the meat. “Ihunted this foryou,” he said. “Andyou… helped.MorethanI… would have thought.”

Itcertainly wasn’t high praise, but it still caught inLouisa’schest, shimmering sharp and strange. “Youdid most of it,” she replied. “Andyou gave us so much.Ofcourse we’d be happy to share.”

Shemeant it, meant it so much it hurt.AndfinallyKilliksighed, nodding, shifting on his feet. “Ach, then.Theyshall be glad of this,Iken.”

Louisa’sgrin was swift and grateful, her shoulders sagging with her exhale. “I’mglad too,” she said. “Thankyou,Killik.Again.Ireally… enjoyed this, today.”

Hervoice came out sounding fervent, strained, quivering into the silence.IntowhereKillikwas just staring at her again, and she winced, looked away, bracing for his mockery, his contempt.Thiswas still only a deal, only eight nights, he’d just told her last night he never wanted to see her again after it was done, and…

“Ach, well,”Killikfinally said. “Iken you shall enjoy tonight even more, woman.”

Wait.Wait, what did he mean?AndwhenLouisadarted a glance back toward him, his eyes were glinting on hers, his mouth quirking — and then his clawed hand rose up between them, and gave a brief pat to her cheek.

“Fortonight, you shall again meet my wolf,” he said coolly. “Andfor your next lesson, he shall learn to pleaseyou.”

19

BedtimefoundLouisapacing back and forth across her bedroom, her hands in fists, as that promise ofKillik’sechoed again and again through her skull.

Heshall learn to please you.

Itbrought up stunning visions ofUlfarr, of his beautiful body, his deep voice, his gentle hands — but just as strong were the visions ofKillik.Killik’slessons,Killik’shands on her shoulders,Killik’shair falling around his face…

But— no.Damnit, no.Louisawasn’t supposed to be thinking aboutKillik.Killikwasn’t even supposed to be part of this.Thiswas supposed to be about helpingUlfarr, and securing her future, and escapingLordScall.ForgettingLordScall, forever.Findingpeace.

AndKillikdidn’t even want her, right?Hedidn’t care about her.He’dbeen truly horrid last night, and he hadn’t even actually apologized, had he?No.No.Eightnights.Thatwas all.

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