Despite Tareek’s interference, the Druinguari wouldn’t stay down long. The second the dragon took flight, the enemy would be back on their feet—hunting, tracking, chasing them across the frozen landscape. So aye, as far as luck went, she was plum out. No reprieve in sight. No rest either. At least, not for a while. Except . . .
Cosmina frowned. What was that noise?
Both hands gripping Henrik’s tunic, she squeezed her eyes closed, shutting out the chaotic throb of her heartbeat. The mental whirl settled. A familiar sound registered. Cosmina listened harder, isolating the source and—aye, definitely. Horses. What sounded like a whole herd, hooves hammering in thunderous rhythm. Relief hit her with a round of thank you God a second before prudence took hold. Dear goddess, she’d lost what little remained of her mind. Approaching horses didn’t mean safety. Most of the time the occurrence equaled serious trouble. The kind she avoided, usually by finding a safe place to hide until the intruders passed on whatever trail they traveled. Always the better bet out here . . . in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rough terrain and no help.
Unease licked deep, raising alarm bells.
“Henrik.”
“Quiet, Cosmina.”
The sternness of his voice startled her. Especially since he didn’t sound the least bit out of breath. Her hold on his tunic tightened. How could that be? He’d been running flat out while carrying her. He ought to be tired by now. Despite her condition, the realization raised serious questions—the who, what, and why of Henrik. All the things she’d failed to ask when she’d had the chance. The lapse in judgment wasn’t like her. Mistrust was more her style and inquiry her weapon of choice. Cautious by nature, she fed on facts. Enjoyed information the way noble ladies did sweets. Knowledge equaled power. Or, at least, the ability to protect herself and deal with whatever came her way.
Henrik included.
“Here we go,” Shay said from behind her on the path.
“Andrei.” Henrik slowed the pace and sidestepped. Cheek resting against his spine, Cosmina opened her eyes. An indistinct shadow wavered just inches away. Frigid air burned across her cheeks. Pain pressed against her temples, throbbing into a full-blown headache as she reached out. Rough bark scraped her chilled fingertips. She exhaled in a rush. Trees. The thunder of horses’ hooves. Both meant one thing. Henrik stood at the bottom of the ravine, just feet from the main road. “Got an angle?”
“All clear,” Andrei said, voice playing in wind gusts. Boots whispered over snow, coming from above and behind her. A whistle rushed through the air. A second later, Andrei landed beside Henrik. “Kazim with the horses.”
“About time,” Shay said.
“Shay . . . flag him down.” Shifting his hold, Henrik pulled Cosmina off his shoulder.
Her feet touched the ground. Nausea threw bile up her throat as agony clawed her shoulder. Desperate to stay upright, Cosmina locked her knees. With a quick dip, Henrik swung her back into his arms. The jarring movement made her wince.
“Sorry,” Henrik said, regret in his tone. “I know you’re hurting. I don’t mean to be rough.”
“’Tis nothing,” she said, even though it wasn’t true. “Naught to worry about.”
Cradling her close, Henrik skirted the trees and followed his friends. “Liar.”
“Better than the alternative.”
“Which is?”
“Crying.”
He grinned against the top of her head. “Just a bit longer, mica vrăjitoare.”
“Nice try.” Understanding his game, she ignored the provocation and pressed her cheek to his chest. Heat radiated off him in waves, curling around her. So nice. His strength. His warmth. His willingness to share them both. Unable to resist, she snuggled closer, taking all he gave her. “But I’m too tired to care what you call me.”
“You’ll get me back later, though, right?”
She snorted. Score one for Henrik. The man never said quit. “Hammer you, for sure.”
“I’m relieved.”
“You’re an idiot.” He chuckled. Her mouth curved in appreciation. For some reason, his teasing revived her, helping her change tack. Tough as nails, remember? She needed to hold on to the truth of who and what she was and . . . remember. Despite her injuries, she wasn’t a weakling. Never had been. Never would be either. “You forget how good I am with a blade.”
“Not for a moment. I’m looking forward to sparring with you.”
“Like I said . . . an idiot.”
He laughed again, then dipped his chin and kissed the top of her head. He lingered a moment, mouth pressed to her hair, making surprise rise and confusion surface. Cosmina frowned. He shouldn’t be doing that—kissing her. The show of affection seemed misplaced and yet somehow, it felt right too.
Meant to be.
The phrase whispered inside her head, stirring her Seer’s instinct, unearthing questions best left unasked. Cosmina knew it marrow deep. Allowing curiosity free reign—becoming entangled with Henrik—was a bad idea. ’Twould be better to ignore the tug of attraction. Safer still to turn away. Some things, after all, were meant to stay buried. But even as her senses prickled, warning her to stand down and stay clear, she couldn’t deny the truth. He intrigued her. A hardened warrior one moment, gentle the next. The ability to kill without conscience coupled with a need to protect. Polar opposites tucked inside one man. A complete mystery, one far too alluring for the sleuth in her to pass up. Which meant she couldn’t back away. Not yet. She wanted to explore a little further. Needed to know more . . . about everything, all he hid from the world.
Even if she grew to regret it in the end.
A shout went up. The thundering echo of hooves slowed on the trail. Henrik strode out from beneath the sway of tree limbs. The wind picked up, telling her he’d walked into an open space. Cosmina titled her head, pressing her forehead to Henrik’s collarbone, gathering sound, gauging distance, plotting the trajectory of approach. Horses snorted, blowing hard somewhere to her right. Seconds lengthened into more as multiple harnesses jangled. Ten feet away, mayhap a bit less. Henrik tensed. Muscles flexed around her and . . . oh gods. She knew what his shift in tension signaled. He planned to—
“Get ready.”
“Henrik, wait. Don’t—”
He heaved her upward. She landed with a bump. Cosmina moaned. The horse shied, sidestepping beneath her. She reached out with her good hand, latching onto the soft strands of the long mane a moment before Henrik swung into the saddle behind her. Strong arms closed around her. With a quick tug, he pulled her against his chest and put his heels to his steed’s sides. The horse lunged forward. Others followed, hooves hammering in Henrik’s wake as he took the lead.
“Tuck in, Cosmina,” Henrik said, voice rising above the howl of winter wind. “Hold tight. ’Tis going to be a rough ride.”
Heart beating triple time, Cosmina didn’t argue. She did what he asked instead, hooking both legs over one of his thighs. One shoulder nestled beneath his arm, she hung on hard, moving with him, watching dense shadows flash past from her position in his lap. Deft hands on the reins, Henrik galloped around a bend on the trail. A burst of light perforated her periphery, slicing through her mind before splintering into imagery.