Page 91 of White Raven

“Where in the Huginn-Muninn is she gonna go?”

“We’d still have to waste our time searching for her if she tries!”

“I say tie her up.” Renyx leaned against the doorframe, nursing a flask, one eye swollen completely shut. “Can’t risk it.”

“See!” Brynn nodded to Renyx’s statement. “She⁠—”

“I won’t escape.” I spoke out, shifting on the bed, my arms crossed. “You have my word.”

Brynn finally looked over at me.

“Sorry, I don’t particularly trust your word.”

“Sounds like a ‘you’ problem.”

“Excuse me?” Brynn took a step toward me.

“Brynn.” Bjørn placed his hand on her shoulder, his head shaking.

She tugged out of his hold, her teeth glinting in the room’s firelight. “Don’t forget I was your hersir when Onyx was gone. And as his second, I still have the final say over you.”

Bjørn shifted, his mouth going into a firm line, appearing so different than the happy-go-lucky man I had seen.

“And as your second, I can tell you when you’re being a bitch.” He lowered his voice, speaking only to her. “You’re making this personal, Brynn. Might want to watch that.”

Fury ignited over her frame, her face turning red. She looked like she wanted to tell him off, to explode in the room, but instead she spat out, “Fine. If she runs, that’s on you. I couldn’t give a fuck!” She pushed by him, whisking out of the room.

“Great.” Renyx gave Bjørn a look.

“What, was I wrong?” Bjørn shrugged.

Renyx narrowed his eyes on him before taking a final sip, tucking the flask in his pants, and following Brynn out, like going after her wasn’t even a second thought to him.

“Yes, it can get awkward when you’re married, but in love with his best friend, while your husband’s twin is in love with you.”

Bjørn turned back to me. “I’ll send someone up with food, and warm water to wash up.”

I tracked him as he headed for the exit. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“You haven’t given me reason not to yet.” He shrugged. “The moment you do . . . well, they don’t call me bear for nothing, sweetheart, so let’s not challenge me.” He gripped the door handle, stepping into the hall. “Sven will be right outside this door if you need anything else.” He shut the door, letting me know the trust only went so far. They still had a guard on me.

Staring down at my hands, I heaved a heavy sigh, the fire in the hearth warming, glowing the chamber in a dim light. The room was nicer than the one in Blackwater, with fur rugs and blankets, a heavy four-poster with side tables, and an area with a mirror to wash up. The walls were painted a soft salmon color, dark wood beams lining the ceiling.

This place was nothing like I’d pictured. The colorful buildings, the streets full of people, going about their day, laughing and talking, running a business or shopping. No barbarians cutting people’s throats in the street, no one living in hovels wearing rags.

Nothing here was that different from Silvervale.

And that unsettled me, like the ground under my feet was no longer steady.

A tap came at the door, Sven opening it up, his hands full of items. A tray of food and drink in one hand and items of clothing in another.

“Here.” He thrust the tray at me, his eyes not quite meeting mine.

“Thanks.” I took it, sniffing at the two bowls of hot stew steaming up into my face, my stomach growling. Peering at the other items of warm bread, cured meats, ale, and a hot water pitcher.

“They also gave me these for you.” He rushed his speech, holding up the clothing.

Setting down the tray, I claimed the items from him. A nightgown, along with a linen blouse that settled low on the shoulders with a belted blue apron dress over, which seemed the style here. There was also a man’s dark trousers and tunic.