The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(20)

Malida smirked and glanced over at the occupied table. “If it’s a fight to the death, my bet is unfortunately on Anna.”

Kai shook his head, thinking back to the few incidents where Finn had been forced to protect herself. Anna might be deadly, but she didn’t stand a chance against that sort of power. “I’ll not comment on who would win, but it’s better for all of us if that fight never happens.”

Malida nodded, then lifted her gaze past Kai. He turned on his stool to see Finn and Iseult approaching.

“I was hoping to check on Naoki before we search for rooms at one of the inns,” Finn explained upon reaching Kai’s side, her face shadowed by her hood.

He turned to see Malida narrow her eyes in thought before nodding. “No offense meant,” she began, flicking her gaze up to Iseult, “but I only trust Kai and,” she hesitated, “Finn to enter my home.”

Kai watched the blush creep up Finn’s face upon hearing her real name.

Malida rolled her eyes. “I know you were in trouble, I cannot blame you for giving a false name, and Finn is much prettier than Breya.”

Finn smiled graciously, though her blush did not lessen.

“I understand,” Iseult said in reply to Malida’s initial statement. He turned to Kai. “You’ll accompany her,” he added, no hint of questioning in his tone.

Kai sighed and stood, shooing Finn away from where she stood beside his stool to make room.

“And the two of you can find a few things for me in the cellar while you’re at it,” Malida added, an impish grin on her round face.

Kai gave her a questioning glance, wondering what she was up to, then nodded. It wasn’t the first time Malida had put him to work. He gestured for Finn to lead the way behind the bar, all the while wondering what the glint in Malida’s eye was about.



After checking on Naoki, Kai showed Finn the way to the cellar. She’d felt a little wary descending the dark, rickety staircase beneath a trap door within the bedroom Malida shared with her husband, but she figured she owed Malida a great deal. She’d gladly carry up whatever supplies she needed.

They’d only been down in the space for a few moments, searching the various barrels and storage crates by lantern-light, when Malida’s daughter came thunking down the stairs, a piece of parchment in hand. She offered the parchment to Kai, glared at Finn, then retreated.

Holding his lantern aloft, Kai’s eyes skimmed the list. He sighed. “It seems Malida thought of a few more items for us to carry up.”

Finn widened her eyes, then plucked the parchment from his fingers. He held the lantern toward her so she could read what was written. She didn’t even know what half of the items on the list were, let alone where to find them in the cramped, dark cellar.

“Is this punishment for lying about my name?” she questioned in disbelief.

Kai smirked, but did not answer.

Finn had a feeling he knew exactly why Malida was punishing them, but instead of explaining, he took the list to glance over it once more.

Finn crossed her arms as he stuffed the list into his breeches pocket, then set the lantern down beside a crate, crouching to examine its contents.

She watched him clearly avoiding her gaze. Why was he suddenly so uncomfortable. Malida’s list obviously meant something more to him. She began tapping her foot impatiently.

He glared up at her. “Yes?”

She scowled, wishing he would take the hint. “What aren’t you telling me?”

He observed her face for several moments, then sighed and rocked back on his heels, still crouched. “I told her everything,” he admitted. “She knows we were never husband and wife, and she knows why we lied to her. She does not know who you truly are, or what you seek, but she knows everything else.”

She blinked at him for several seconds in the dim lantern light, utterly shocked. She couldn’t fathom a reason why he would have done that.

“Oh don’t look so surprised,” he muttered, turning back to the crate.

She crossed her arms. “I’m justified in being surprised. I’ve come to expect lies from you, and truth only when you have no other choice.”

He glared at her. “That’s not true. As far as I’m concerned, the only lie I ever told you was who I was in the beginning, and you told the same lie yourself.”

She felt her expression falter. Pursing her lips, she tried to think of the other lies he’d told her. Surely there were more. She had very good reason for being angry at him all the time, didn’t she?

“Let me see the list again,” she demanded.

He looked up at her, but did not offer the list.

She shifted her weight from foot to foot, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

He smirked, his eyes twinkling with sudden merriment. “I’d expected a few more insults.”

Ignoring him, she bent down and plucked at the parchment sticking out of his pocket, soon tugging the list free to peruse. “You’re right,” she admitted. “I have no remaining reasons to be angry with you. You’ve more than made up for kidnapping me, and I suppose things have ended up alright . . . as alright as can be expected, at least.”

He stood, looking slightly stunned. “Was that an apology?”

She glared. “Yes, and I’ve given them to you before, so don’t look so surprised. Now please tell me why Malida would like us to spend the entire evening in her cellar.”