Brastias motioned to the trainer, who motioned to a huge bear of a man. A man Briec recognized from battles they’d been in together. This was no fellow trainee, but one of Annwyl’s favored warriors, whom she affectionately referred to as “Slaughter-Bear.

Don’t argue with me. I’m in a very bad mood because of you.”“Who told you to steal a child’s pet?”“Don’t make me cover your face with a pillow until you see my side of things.”“Isn’t that called murder?”“In some parts of the world.

He tried to warn me off you.”“Me?” She couldn’t help but giggle. “Really?”“Really. Your uncles and father are very protective of you. Briec threw me into a tree. One of those really old ones that never move. Your uncle Fearghus bit me.”Izzy placed her hand on Celyn’s. “He…bit you?”“Aye. He was on the floor and—”“Why was he on the floor?”“I don’t know.”“Did you think to ask?”“No.” He pointed at his leg. “Bastard nearly tore out me calf muscle.

Can’t you see the danger all around you?”Daniel the shoemaker walked up to them and abruptly put a baby lamb in Keeley’s arms. “For your mum. Tell her I’ll get her the baby goat in another week or two.”They stared at the lamb bleating in Keeley’s arms as Daniel returned to his shop.“Yes, Sister, the danger is everywhere.

You called demons to help you. That doesn’t bother you? That they’re evil?”“Evil? What makes you think they’re evil?” Keeley asked, truly confused.She pointed her sword. “Flames. They all have flames instead of eyes! That doesn’t bother you?”“As long as I don’t put my hands right on their faces, I—”“That’s not what I mean!

Stop talking to me,” he ordered as he walked away. “And stop staring at my ass.”“Just wondering how it looks with four legs.”He stopped. Faced her. “What?”“You know,” she admitted, “that sounded less . . . strange, in my head.”“Did it? Really?

Ren asked, “Is it my imagination, little one, or is your family very ‘kill everything first, ask questions later and if we’re in the mood’ types?”“Some might suggest that…you know, if their victims could speak with their heads lopped off and all.

And you enjoy what you do?”“Quite a lot.”“So then…you’re happy?”She pursed her lips, hands wrapped around her cup of tea, her gaze on the ceiling.Finally, Ragnar added, “Happy for a Northlander.”“Oh! Oh, then yes. Quite happy.

I don’t know about you,” Keita said when Briec had to rush over to help Izzy separate her mum and the human queen of all the Southlands from a rousing yelling match and slap fight, “but I’m having a most entertaining night.