Page 61 of Kiss of Ice

“How have you been, Kora?” Ren asked when they were all settled.

“Can’t complain. Bodran’s leg is a little better, but he still has difficulty walking.” The dwarven eyed Kam curiously. “Who’s the brawn?”

“This is my cousin Arden from Feyir. Don’t mind him, he’s a little slow.”

“What happened to his eye?”

“He ran into a tree branch. Not very bright.”

Kam tightened his lips. Kora raised her voice and spoke to him slowly, as if he was a deaf toddler.

“SORRY ABOUT YOUR EYE. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME.” She turned to Ren. “He understands me, right?”

Ren was trying very hard not to giggle. She avoided Kam’s gaze, knowing his outraged expression would set her off.

“Just leave him be. I brought you something, I thought it might be useful.”

She opened the satchel she’d been carrying. Kam had vaguely thought it was part of her disguise but now he saw she’d crammed half a dozen dresses into it. Dresses he’d provided for her. He opened his mouth and she shot him a look.

“Ren, these are beautiful.” Reverently, the dwarven sorted through them, smoothing them out. Her voice sharpened. “They’re not stolen are they? You know I don’t hold with that sort of thing.”

“No, they’re not stolen,” Ren said hastily. “I have a friend who’s just started work at the palace. She’s the dresser for the Emperor’s betrothed and she says these gowns are no good for her. I thought you could alter them and sell them on. You still have dressmaking clients, right?”

“I do. I haven’t made anything for a while. I haven’t been able to afford the material. But these are perfect. Are you sure you won’t get into trouble?”

“I’m one hundred percent sure.” She snatched a look at Kam’s face. “Almostone hundred percent sure.”

“Then you’ll stay for some tea, the pair of you?”

“We’d love to, Kora, but I have other house-calls to make.”

“You’re a good girl, Ren. The gods will bless you.”

They took their leave. Kam noticed how Ren hugged the dwarven warmly, completely unselfconscious about her towering height difference. As they walked up the street he shot her a sideways look.

“The dresses? Really?”

“None of them are my colour. I would never have worn them,” she said defensively.

“Anything else in that bag I should know about?”

“I, um, may have borrowed a few things.”

“I see. What happened to Bodran? Is he her husband?”

“Yes. He was a woodworker before an accident left him crippled. Now he can barely stand. Kora tries to make ends meet by taking in sewing but all their spare cash goes on food and medicine. Not much left over for needles and thread.”

He was silent as he followed Ren from one house to another. And in each one, she had something to give the occupants. It was only when he saw a box of silver teaspoons being handed over that he realised what they were.

Their engagement presents.

He nearly choked in disbelief. She’d stolen the gifts that marked their betrothal? Seven hells. Though why the fuck he was surprised, he didn’t know. The first time he’d met her she’d been stealing. Anger curdled in his gut. How could she be so ungrateful?

Then he remembered what he’d said to her.Throw them out of the window for all I care.And suddenly he was shaking with silent mirth.

“Are you okay?” she asked in concern.

“Better than okay. This visit has been eye-opening.”

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