Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1)(28)

To make matters worse, Temra sneaks out between two trees, nearly giving me a heart attack.

“Temra! Are you trying to kill me? How long were you standing there?”

“Not nearly long enough, it would seem.”

I huff and lower my head into my crossed arms. “This is my alone time. Why is everyone trying to disturb it?”

Temra has only one long, thin branch in her hands. She drops it to the ground before sitting beside me. “We have very important things to discuss.”

She’s probably right. There are so many unknowns. The warlord. Our relatives. The two boys who could turn on us at any moment if they learn the truth.

“That boy is flirting with you,” she says.

“Sorry?”

“You heard me.”

“Yes, but you said we had important things to discuss!”

“This is important.”

“Temra.” I turn her name into a groan.

“It’s him, isn’t it? He’s the one you saw when you magicked the broadsword?”

I give her a wide-eyed glance.

“You said he was tall with golden-red hair,” she explains. “Our mercenary is an attractive man with those qualities.”

“Yes, it’s him.” There’s no point in lying. She’d see the truth anyway.

“And now you’re stuck together on the road! This is wonderful!”

“And how do you figure that? I thought he was attractive before I met him. He’s rude. Disgusting.” I don’t know if I can ever get the image of him drunk and belching out of my head. “Arrogant to a fault. And for all we know, he doesn’t actually have any skill with that sword.”

“Really, so I didn’t see you ogling his arms just ten minutes ago? Eyeing him like he was a piece of meat?”

I turn away from her. Hoping she won’t see my cheeks redden. “I don’t think he’s a piece of meat.”

“Of course not. But that doesn’t mean he’s not pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you ogle anyone. This is fantastic.”

“What?” I nearly shout. Being on the road must be getting to her. She’s clearly gone delusional. “How is this fantastic? He’s horrible, and I wasn’t ogling. I just like his arms, is all.”

“He’s quite tall. Tall enough for you.”

“Now a man has to be tall enough for me?”

“No, I’m just saying he’s the perfect height.”

“For what?” I hedge, dreading the answer.

She raises her eyebrows twice in quick succession.

“I’m not interested in that,” I say.

“Fine. Don’t jump straight to the kissing. Let’s start with something simple. Talking.”

“That’s not simple.”

“I saw you talking to him just now!”

I find a twig on the ground with my fingers and start breaking it in half over and over again. “I was angry. It’s easier when I’m angry. It overpowers the fear.”

“You really shouldn’t judge him based on the first two days on the road with him. He was coming off a nasty night of drinking. That would make anyone unpleasant.”

“I don’t care.”

“So you’ve made your decision, then? You don’t like him.”

“Of course.”

“Well, that’s even better.”

I’ve given up trying to make sense of anything she has to say regarding boys.

“No, listen to me. He’ll be practice for you! And because you don’t like him and don’t care what he thinks about you, it’ll make it easier for you!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Flirting, Ziva. Flirting.”

“We are on the run for our lives!”

“All the more reason to make the time count. You’re so lucky you have me.”

“Yes?” I respond like it’s a question.

“It’s not that hard. Repeat after me. Kellyn, tell me about yourself.”

“What?”

“Go on. Say it. Kellyn, tell me about yourself.”

“No, this is ridiculous.” I stand and try to move past her, but she stays me with an outstretched hand.

“It’s not. What’s ridiculous is that you’ve never properly flirted with a man. Now say it.”

“No.”

“Say it, or I’ll tell Kellyn I saw you ogling him.”

I glare at her. “You wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t I? The days are sure to grow long and boring. I could really use the—”

“Kellyn,” I say through gritted teeth. “Tell me about yourself.”

“Good,” she says enthusiastically. Like I’m some small child who’s accomplished a feat far greater than my size would allow. “Now, some follow-up questions. Where did you grow up? Why did you decide to become a mercenary? Do you have any family? Go on, say them.”

Though in a foul temper, I repeat after her. “Why are you making me do this?”

“Because you’re terrified of talking to people. Sometimes knowing what to say ahead of time helps.”

I feel my brow furrow. “You do this? Think over what you’re going to say ahead of time?”