"Smart hunter." A growling voice purred. Two blood red rubies appeared in the air in front of the warriors, impossibly high above the ground. "I am impressed."

  The rubies bobbed as an enormous shadow materialized behind them. First, piercing white teeth appeared, glinting in the moonlight. A powerful jaw and muzzle came into focus. The sides of the mouth were twisted up in what could only be described as a smile.

  "Poor hunters only now realize that they were the sheep."

  Ivar focused on getting his breath under control.

  The monster—the largest werewolf Ivar had ever seen, stepped out into the shaft of moonlight. Its large foot caught his attention. Each toe had a sharp claw at its tip. A powerful leg followed. Fur covered the creature, but the swell of the muscles beneath was clear. It walked on two feet like a man, but that was where the similarities ended.

  A clawed hand materialized a little higher. A rock was being tossed up and down as the beast sauntered forward. Each cruel claw expertly played with the stone, making it dance between its fingers.

  "Look! A rabbit!" The werewolf let out a barking laugh as it gracefully rolled the rock along the ground, making the same sound pattern that they had heard twice before.

  Countless realizations pounded at Ivar's mind. It is a werewolf, but it's unlike any I've ever seen or read about! It is smart. Too smart– not an animal at all! If it wasn't for its shape then I'd think that it was human. And cruel. It not only hunted us, but it also toyed with us.

  "Guy, run!" Ivar cried out as he readied himself to fight the creature. He wouldn't survive. Ivar knew this in his heart. But maybe Guy could report to the castle.

  Guy didn't listen. He pulled the shield off of his back and stepped between the wolf and Ivar. "Your atrocities end here, foul beast! You will not get through me! I am Le Montagne!" The shield was pounded into the ground with enough force to shatter several rocks.

  "Brave toy soldier. Protecting the hunter." The werewolf finally stepped completely into the full light of the moon. He grinned wickedly. "How many battles have you survived? I do hope that tonight's will be your favorite.” The creature chuckled, its voice dropping even lower, “Because it will be your last."

  The monster growled happily as it dropped forward onto all fours, slowly stalking towards them.

  Guy took a nervous step backward, but stopped, bracing against the shield.

  "Guy! Don't be foolish. You don't stand a chance." Ivar stepped out from behind the French soldier. His spear was ready, poised to strike at the beast.

  The monster continued to stalk towards them. The ruby eyes lit with fire, desire, and rage as they darted between the hunter and the soldier. "Good, this will be fun." He purred aggressively. "My last kill was a coward."

  The werewolf’s head arched backwards and it let out a soul crushing howl that reverberated throughout the forest, bouncing off the trees and seeming to magnify into a chorus of howls. The battle was upon them. Ivar smothered his fear and lunged forward, attempting to stab the wolf’s exposed throat.

  The creature jumped back as the spear shot past him. “Yes, much more entertaining than the last kill.” He barked and lunged forward, snapping his maw at Ivar’s head.

  Ivar ducked and with a leap rolled away from the creature. “Guy! Run! The knights have to know!”

  “No, stay.” The monster crooned sweetly, “If you run then this hunter will die. You could save him.” It approached Ivar, eyes trained on the hunter.

  The creature's eyes widened, and it released a hiss of pain. Ivar dared a glance at Guy, hidden behind his shield. He had thrust his spear out and caught the wolf in the side.

  “No silver, Frenchie?” the beast taunted.

  As Guy pulled his spear out of the wolf he watched in horror as the wound closed nearly as fast as it had been made. The realization didn’t last long. As soon as the wound closed the wolf spun and jumped towards Guy with a loud barking growl.

  Guy planted his shield on the ground, knelt, and used his body as a support as the werewolf crashed against it. The force of the collision shook Guy and the shield, but the shield held. “Merci, Mon dieux.”

  Ivar was impressed by the skilled armorer who had made that shield. He was sure that anything else would have shattered. But this shield had been forged with steel through it. Each beam of oak wood was crisscrossed with bars of steel to reinforce it. It made the shield heavier than Guy’s entire set of plate armor (He knew because earlier that day, the hunters had taken turns trying to wield it).

  Maybe they could do this. If the creature couldn't get through the shield…maybe they could last till morning. And in the morning they could slay the man that had become this beast.

  “Ivar, behind me. I’ll hold it at bay.”

  Ivar nodded and obeyed, poising his spear over Guy's shoulder as he waited for an opening to strike.

  A thick cloud rolled over the moon and the world went dark. Though the darkness had been brief, when the silver moonlight returned, the beast was gone.

  “Merde! I’m sorry, it got away.”

  “Not likely.” Ivar immediately began surveying the woods around them.

  “Smart!” The wolf barked as he charged out from behind Guy. His claws were outstretched, reaching for Ivar’s throat.

  “Guy! Behind us!”

  Both warriors shifted and Guy’s shield hit the ground just before the wolf hit. “Merci.”

  Ivar ducked out from behind the shield and thrust his spear at the wolf. Silver, silver could hurt it. But the wolf jumped to the side with a laugh. It was enjoying itself.

  It sniffed the air. “Your hearts will be delicious.” He growled as he circled them on all fours. The two men used the shield as a pivot point, keeping it between them and the beast. “You are both so righteous, so good.”

  The wolf’s jaw snapped shut with a loud bang as it imagined their hearts on his tongue. “Do you think that that shield and armor will save you, Frenchman?”

  Again the beast rushed forward, though this time he went straight at the shield with his shoulder. A loud crack could be heard coming from the shield. But it didn’t fall apart.

  “Reinforced. Heavy… but strong.” Guy replied with a smile.

  “What is your plan? To wait me out until morning?”

  Guy grunted, but didn’t reply.

  “Then I guess that I’ll just have to try harder, seeing as sunrise is only two hours away.” The wolf barked and grinned. “Will you make it?”

  Wojciek:

  Wojciek ran as fast as he could. He’d encountered Tomira and they’d joined each other, rushing towards the sound of the howls. They hoped that the beast would still be alive when they got there. They wanted to enjoy the kill as well.

  They slowed as they came across a silent clearing. It was only a few minutes before sunrise. Clearly they were too late. Blood was everywhere.

  “Shit! We missed out on killing the wolf.” Wojciek threw his blade on the ground.

  Tomira replied with silence.

  Her silence continued for a long time. “... Not likely. Look.” She finally got the words out.

  Wojciek looked to where she was pointing.

  Underneath a thick falling tree were two bodies. One covered with the remains of plate mail. The other…

  “Ivar!”

  Wojciek ran forward heedless of any danger.

  Both bodies were laid side by side. Their eyes were closed. Their arms crossed over their chests. Said chests were little more than gaping holes, their hearts missing.

  Tomira walked up behind him. “Looks like someone found them first.”

  She touched the trunk of a broken tree. Blood was splattered around the horizontal crack in it. It was then that she noticed that Guy was not one corpse, but two. His waist was severed from his torso. She looked at his shield and found that the top was matted with blood.

  “Whatever did this, Wojciek, was strong enough to shove that shield through plate mail, through the knight, and into the tree.” Tomira shuddered as she spoke. What could be that strong?

  “Go fetch a cart.” Wojciek whispered.

  “What?!” Tomira challenged him. Making the woman go fetch.

  “Go fetch a cart!” Wojciek screamed at her. His face snapped to look at her, hot angry tears streamed down his face. “We cannot carry both of them.”

  Seeing the emotion in Wojciek’s face took the challenge out of Tomira. She nodded and began a quick jog back to the castle, the fastest pace that she could maintain until she arrived.

  Kasia:

  Kasia woke the moment sunlight touched her face. Her feet hit the ground and she was already yanking her boots on . She was eager to run outside and hear the results of the hunt — She wondered who would have bagged the beast. Her money had been on Wojciek. She may not have wanted to marry him, but she still recognized that he was the best hunter after her father and uncles.

  Her fist pounded on Janine's door, "Come on! Let's go see If the knights have returned from the hunt yet!"

  Janine grumbled on the other side of the door, followed by shuffling sounds. Janine opened the door glaring sullenly at Kasia with bloodshot eyes, dark shadows beneath her eyes, and hair that was a tangled nest on her head.

  Kasia snorted in amusement, grabbing Janine's arm and pulling her along. They stopped by the men's barracks to grab Andrew.

  When they passed Harold, Kasia blushed and averted her eyes. She didn't know how to act around him now that he had kissed her. Thankfully, Janine was too groggy to notice Kasia's awkwardness.

  Andrew was awake, though surprised and amused to see Janine up so early. He kissed her temple gently and murmured how he'd make it up to her later.

  The trio ran to the front gates where a lot of other knights and initiates had begun to gather as well. The air in the crowd was excited, full of eager speculation and gossip.

  "Have we heard anything?" Kasia asked Captain Erik, her fingers wiggling with excitement.

  Erik grinned at her and shook his head, "No, lass, I haven't. And don't think I've forgiven you for betting on Wojciek instead of my brother!" He shoved Kasia's shoulder playfully.

  “Looks like it’s going to be close. Only Ivar, Wojciek, and Tomira haven’t returned.” Andrew commented. Excitement bubbled in the air around them.

  Almost all the hunters had formed around the front gate hoping to see who brought home the carcass of the beast.

  “I say that we mount it above the gate!”

  “You’re gruesome. You’ll scare the villagers. Use its pelt to decorate the Lord Commander’s chair.”

  “You’re such a brown noser. Put it in the barracks.”

  Everyone had an opinion of what to do with the trophy and argued energetically.

  Tomira came around the corner and through the gate, walking but completely breathless. She scanned the crowd quickly, saw the group over by Erik, ducked her eyes, and set off to the stables at a brisk walk.

  "She must not have succeeded." Erik nodded. He turned to Kasia, "That means it's down to Wojciek and Ivar." His green eyes gleamed as he gave Kasia a toothy grin, "What say we make our wager more interesting? I double my gold on my brother's victory. Care to match, Red?"

  Kasia scowled, "Oh you're on! And don't call me Red!"

  Erik boomed a laugh, "Wojciek will be so touched at your enthusiastic support. I can't wait to tell him."

  Kasia growled and launched herself at Erik, trying to punch him, "Don't you fucking dare!"

  Erik cackled with glee as he held Kasia out of reach by placing his large hand on her forehead, "Oh yes! I daresay this will only increase his ardor for you!"

  "Damn you, Erik" Kasia continued swinging, but she was laughing and grinning. Finally, she tired herself out and waved a dismissive hand at Erik.

  "Do invite me to the wedding, Red." Erik teased, making Kasia launch herself at him again.

  Within minutes Tomira emerged from the stables with two horses pulling one of their carts. She ran the horses at a brisk pace, yelling for people to move out of her way.

  “Fucking git!!!!”

  Quickly she and the horses departed the castle, the cart’s wheels were heard bouncing off the dirt as the cart was pulled too quickly.

  The excited chatter of moments before fell into a heavy silence. Then murmurs began, like the buzzing of bees.

  "Wait-" Kasia paused in her wrestling with Erik, "she got a cart… "

  "If she'd slain the beast, there wouldn't be a single one of us who wouldn't hear her crowing about it…" Erik finished slowly, his face paling.

  Tomira had looked at Captain Erik, then away. Kasia thought that had been shame…but what if it had been guilt?

  "Ivar… come back, damn you." Erik whispered softly.

  Kasia knew Erik longed to tear off after Tomira, to go and find his brother. But he was the guard captain and he wouldn't abandon his post. She decided to go get her father. She placed a gentle hand on the back of Erik's arm, though he didn't seem to register the touch, and then looked at Janine and Andrew.

  Wordlessly they nodded at her, and when she ran back to the castle, they ran with her. She found her father eating breakfast alone in the family dining room.

  Jon looked up from his breakfast. “Corka! Who is our victor?”

  Kasia's face was grim, her arms folded across her chest, fidgeting with the creases of her tunic. "No one, yet… Tomira returned. She wouldn't speak to anyone. She took horses and a cart and left again… I think something bad has happened."

  Concern clouded Jon’s face. Tomira was loud. If she had killed the werewolf and needed a cart to return the corpse then she’d have marched everyone out with her. “Keep me apprised.”

  Kasia nodded unhappily. She moved around the large table to give her father a hug and quick peck on the temple, then left with Janine and Andrew to go wait by the front gate with the others.

  The atmosphere now was tense and frightened. People hardly spoke above a whisper.

  After a wait that stretched from the castle to the sea they could finally see the cart and Tomira returning. Sitting next to Tomira was Wojciek. There was no hurry to approach the castle.

  Kasia’s eyes filled with tears. “No.” she whimpered.

  Janine clutched her arm, muffling a cry with her free hand.

  Captain Erik finally lost his composure and limped out to the cart, unable to wait any longer. When he reached Wojciek and Tomira, it was too far for anyone to hear anything, but there was no mistaking what had happened when Erik fell to his knees and let out a bellowing cry that shook the heavens.

  Hot tears spilled down Kasia’s cheeks and she ran back to the castle, back to her father. He was still at the breakfast table.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Tatu?... Ivar…” More tears came, making it almost impossible to speak. “Ivar didn’t–” her body shook and she ran to her father, throwing herself into his chest, “He’s dead.”

  No emotion showed on her father’s face, but Kasia knew it wasn't because he didn't feel. He couldn’t show emotion. Dozens of hunters had died under his command. Each one had been dear to him. But he needed to continue being the Lord Commander.

  “Shh…” He embraced and comforted his daughter. “When you’re done, we’ll go.”

  Kasia wailed and cried harder. She didn’t know how her father did it. Always staying strong for others. She was a weeping mess. But she knew Erik was hurting so much more than she was right now, and he needed her father’s strength too.

  She took her father’s glass and drained it, willing herself to calm. “Let’s go.” she whispered.

  “Hey! That was mine!” Her father playfully shoved her off of him.

  “I know. You have no idea how disappointed I was that it wasn’t vodka.” Kasia grumbled lightly, catching herself and waiting for her father to join her.

  Jon stood up and remained in place for a moment. “Take me to them. And keep your composure.”

  “Yes Tatu?.” Kasia replied, closing her eyes as she took a moment to steel herself. She wanted to hold her father’s hand. But he wasn’t her father right now. He was the Lord Commander. And Erik desperately needed the Lord Commander. All the knights did.

  She kept her back ramrod straight as she led her father back to the gates. By this time, Erik and Wojciek had reached the grounds just in front of the castle, a noisy crowd following. Tomira, it appeared, had stayed behind to guard Erik’s post, so he could be with his brother.

  “Lord Commander,” Captain Erik saluted roughly, upon seeing Kasia and her father approach.

  “You’re dismissed, Erik.” The Lord Commander put a heavy hand on the Captain’s shoulder as he walked past him.

  He walked over to the cart and saw both Ivar and Guy. Both men had dozens of wounds across their bodies. They had not gone down without a fight.

  “Did you see it happen?” He asked Wojciek.

  “No, Lord Commander. When we came across them, someone had already found them and collected their corpses.” His apprentice replied.

  Jon frowned, “What makes you say that? If one of the villagers had found them, they would have known to come to us.”

  Wojciek hesitated a moment then said, “The bodies were arranged, the way you would for funeral rites.”

  Her father didn't respond to this, but Kasia's mind was whirling with questions. Who would care enough to arrange the bodies with respect, yet not know or desire to inform the knights about one of their own falling? Or had they been eaten after arranging the bodies but before they could alert the knights? That seemed likely.

  Her father continued to examine the bodies. The deep cuts down their arms. The massive holes in the plate mail. Even the cracks in the shield. Whatever they had fought had been ferocious and unyielding.

  “Forgive me, Erik. But we need to take your brother to Nathan’s lab first.” Jon’s face was calm and comforting. “I would suggest that you not follow.”

  Erik's shoulders shook, but he nodded. He got up off the carriage and walked toward the barracks. Kasia imagined he would drink himself to sleep, and no one would blame him. She wondered if her father would order her to assist Nathan once more, or leave it to more skilled knights.

  Kasia glanced at Wojciek. His face was stoic, but it was clear he had been crying as well. Kasia felt a pang of kinship with him. They were all mourning a fallen brother.

  A strangled cry startled her from her thoughts. It was Louis. He had just spotted the French soldier who had been found with Ivar.

  "Guy!"

  Kasia wasn't certain she had ever seen anything but arrogant disdain on Louis' face before. Somehow the evidence that he had actual emotions surprised her.

  The crowd began to murmur and make noise.

  Jon looked at Tomira.

  "Time for everyone to go!" She bellowed. "Anyone still here in fifteen seconds I will personally flog!"

  Several of the hunters on guard duty began to push people away from the cart.

  "How could Ivar allow this to happen?" Louis bellowed angrily as he was pushed back with the rest of the crowd.

  The Lord Commander looked down at Kasia as Wojciek got the cart moving. "Can you control your emotions well enough to help your wujek?"

  Just then, her uncles arrived on the scene.

  "Nathan, the lab! Ren, get all the initiates out of here and busy!"

  Kasia mulled over the question, then nodded. "If we start with the soldier first… I'll have time to detach before Ivar."

  She regretted saying his name. A lump formed in her throat and her eyes watered again. She blinked rapidly and began to study the ground until her emotions were in check again. Now was not the time. Ivar didn't need her tears. He needed her skill with sketching to help bring down the monster who had done this.

  She followed her uncle to the lab and put on an apron, grabbing charcoals and parchment to begin her study.

  She looked everywhere but Ivar's face. It was just a body. Just meat. A puzzle to be solved.

  But eventually, she had to sketch his face for the full body. She didn't let herself see it as a whole. It was a nose. Closed eyes. Eyebrows. A mouth. Skin. Nothing human. Nothing she knew. Just parts.

  "Sadly, it gets easier,", Nathan whispered as they worked.

  Ivar's wounds were expected. Scratches and gouges along his arms and torso. If she hadn't known better then she would have thought that he was a woodsman who had tried to defend himself from a bear. A humongous bear. Other than the gaping hole in his chest, it was unclear how he had died.

  "He bled out from his injuries. Each of these gashes is deep. He would have required treatment to stop the bleeding." Nathan said solemnly, following her eyes and inferring her line of thought.

  "The frenchman died a more violent death." Nathan pointed to the fact that Guy had been split into two. "And I don't think that the plate mail slowed the werewolf at all."

  Guy's solid armor had easily been pried open, a shining metal clam, pulled open by something far stronger, to get at the pearl.

  "Are you still certain it's a werewolf?" Kasia asked dubiously. "Cutting a body in half? And only the hearts are missing. Aren't werewolves supposed to be more animal than human, driven by uncontrollable hunger? This…doesn't fit that description at all."

  "It only attacks on the full moon. The claw and teeth marks match, despite being far too large. I don't know what else to think."

  Wojciek stepped into the lab, his eyes remained red and swollen. His entire body was tense; he looked ready for a fight. "The same creature as from before?"

  "Yes." Nathan answered. "Without a doubt."

  "Wojciek!" Kasia gasped, startled to see him. A part of her wanted to tell him he should leave and not see Ivar this way, but she bit her tongue. He was a grown man who had likely lost many friends to monsters over the years. If he wanted to be here, he had every right.

  She didn't know what to say. It felt callous to continue asking her questions and voicing theories while Ivar's friend was staring at her. So she sketched silently.

  The minutes stretched on as she took notes while Nathan made observations.

  Wojciek had moved behind her to watch her sketch and study the bodies. It made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Finally, as Wojciek didn't appear to be going anywhere, Kasia couldn't hold back her questions anymore.

  "But how can it be the same creature?! I understand the bite and claw marks are the same size, but the remains are so different! Bruno was tortured, his limbs dislocated and his body mauled past recognition. I would believe it with the soldier… if his body hasn't been found next to Ivar's I would think they were done by completely separate killers. Ivar's body shows no injuries that look like torture. They look like battle wounds… and why would the beast cut Guy in half, but not Ivar? Could there be two beasts?"

  "I sure hope that you are wrong, bratanica. If there is more than one then we have a real problem." Nathan shuddered at the idea. "I don't know why each death is so different. But I doubt that there is more than one. No one has encountered a werewolf this size, and now there are two?" Nathan shook his head. "There has to be a reason."

  Kasia fell silent again. She had no idea what to make of all this and, it appeared, neither did anyone else.

  The sketches took the rest of the day. Wojciek had stood by her silently the entire time. Kasia wondered if it was because he hadn't wanted to leave his friend alone.

  Later, Kasia, Janine, and Andrew all crowded into Janine's room to grieve and sleep together. None of them wanted to be alone that night. Though it was against the rules for the male and female initiates to share a room, either no one noticed or no one cared tonight.

  The next day, the Lord Commander and his advisors all studied the body in private. Whatever their thoughts were, they kept it amongst themselves for the time being.

  On the third day was the funeral.

  A pyre had been built. Erik and Ivar were from a neighboring county whose funeral traditions involved burning the body to free the spirit to pass on to the afterlife. In their beliefs, if a body was not burned, the spirit remained trapped inside and would rise as one of the restless undead.

  Kasia supposed their own traditions were somewhat similar. A body that wasn't given the proper rites before it was buried would meet the same fate. As an extra precaution, their graveyards were sanctified and blessed by clerics and priests.

  Kasia wasn't sure how she would feel about not having a body to bury. She found comfort in the knowledge that when she went to her mother's grave, she sat above her mother's bones. It made her feel nearer…if she had been burned, where would Kasia go to speak with her?

  Captain Erik looked like he'd aged ten years over the last two days. His face was gaunt, with hollow cheeks and dark shadows beneath his eyes. Days of growth shadowed his chin and his clothes were rumpled and stained. He held the torch to light his brother's pyre, his face looking so lost and alone, as he waited to release his brother's spirit.

  Kasia's father stood before the pyre and made a long speech about the man Ivar had been, praising his honor and skill with a blade. A few of Ivar's closest friends spoke as well, telling him to wait for them- that they would join him in the eternal war halls when their terrestrial battle ended.

  Another knight from Ivar's homeland sang a soulful ballad in a language Kasia did not understand. The somber notes seemed to reverberate through her very bones, and though she could not understand the words, she felt she understood them all the same.

  After, Erik tilted his torch to light the pyre. Three of Ivar's closest friends took turns lighting each side of the pyre until the wood and wrapped body atop was engulfed in flames.

  That was when Kasia's tears began to fall. She couldn't believe he was dead. Ivar— funny, good natured Ivar was dead. The world felt strange and wrong. Hollow. It wasn't fair. He was so young…he had so much living left to do!

  Kasia buried her face in her hands and eventually felt her father's warm hand wrap around her shoulder.

  The castle was silent that day. Just as it had been the day of Bruno's funeral.

  Kasia spent the day grieving with her father and uncles. Janine with her mother. Andrew with his family.

  —-----------------------------------------------

  The rest of the week passed slowly. Melancholy hung over the castle. The initiates that remained came to the realization that death not only was possible but probable. Four of them ran away. The rest were no longer playful during training. There was no laughing, no games, only focus.

  And General Ren worked them twice as hard as they worked themselves.

  The sparring sessions with Harold intensified as well. Neither combatant was eager to admit defeat. So they would start with whichever weapon Harold had picked for the day and they would end with their bodies entangled on the floor, grappling for dominance.

  "Sorry." Harold offered a rare apology, embarrassed that once again he'd been unable to control his body's reaction to being so close to her. But he didn't move from straddling her, shirtless as had become customary.

  Kasia blushed, as she always did, when she could feel his desire for her. "It's okay. I know that's not something in your control…but, just so you are aware, I'm seeing someone. Not–- not that I think you're interested, but, just in case you were.” Kasia broke off babbling, looking up at Harold sheepishly.

  It took a moment for Harold’s expression to twist into anger. "Of course the Lord Commander's daughter would assume that I want her." He scoffed and pushed himself off of her, inadvertently brushing his arm on her breast. "Fuck no."

  Kasia felt her face grow hot, feeling hurt and angry. "Forget it. I guess your dick just gets hard because I disgust you."

  She got to her feet and stormed off.

  "I'll see you tomorrow!" He yelled after her.

  Kasia froze and slowly turned to glare back at him. Finally she huffed and growled, "Yeah. Whatever. See you tomorrow."

  She didn't know why his rejection had hurt so much. It wasn't like she wanted him to like her. She had Isaak. Strong, warm, handsome Isaak. Her body heated at the thought of him. She missed him desperately. She hadn't been able to see him since Ivar's death…

  The following rest day, there was little excitement. Ivar's death still haunted the castle. Guy had received an honorable funeral as well and his remains were sent home to France to be buried by his family.

  Kasia approached the front gates with Andrew and Janine to head to the village for their rest day. It was painful to know Ivar wouldn't be coming with them this time. Kasia's heart felt heavy and stiff. Every beat felt labored.

  Erik stood next to the gate like always. The warmth was gone from his eyes. Hanging from the pommel of his sword was a new pendant.

  "What's that?" Kasia asked Erik. She imagined it had something to do with Ivar, and maybe Erik would enjoy speaking about him…or maybe he wouldn't. She wasn't sure.

  Erik pulled his sword up so that Kasia could see it more clearly. What had looked like a dark gray pendant was actually glass filled with something tightly packed inside. "Ivar." He said without emotion.

  Kasia made a sympathetic sound in her throat and gently placed her hand on Erik's. His expression remained empty. Kasia knew this was a wound that would never heal. Like his leg, a part of him would always be missing.

  A figure loomed behind them.

  "I'll be your escort." Wojciek said smoothly as he put his hand on Kasia's shoulder.

  Kasia let out a small choking sound as Wojciek startled her. Andrew and Janine grimaced behind his back.

  "Uh, right. Thank you." Kasia said uncertainly. They hadn't spoken directly to each other since before Ivar died. Kasia studied Wojciek's face to gauge his mood. Ivar's death had hit him hard.

  Wojciek looked…like Wojciek; like nothing had happened. "Unless you'd rather remain here, my sweet."

  Kasia’s face twisted in disgust, "You do understand that I am going to visit the man I am courting, right? To spend time with him? Kiss him? Isn't watching that going to make you uncomfortable?"

  Wojciek grunted with a shrug. "You're a little girl pretending that you know what life is about. A stubborn little girl. When you grow up you'll realize that this woodsman is nothing. And that I am your best future."

  Kasia flushed angrily, "I'm going to ignore that you literally called me a child yet still want me in your bed. As long as you mind your own business, then I can live with your opinion of me."

  A tiny, rasping chuckle was heard behind them. Both Kasia and Wojciek turned, startled, to look at Erik.

  "Ivar loved the ridiculous feud between you two. He would have enjoyed this."

  Kasia gave Erik a shy smile, "You know, I once asked Ivar if he would ever want to marry me. He told me, 'Hell no. You're far too complicated. I want a nice, simple girl."

  Erik laughed harder, wiping tears from his eyes. "Aye. That sounds just like him."

  Kasia gave the guard captain one last smile, then they all went down to the inn.

  Wojciek couldn't seem to resist the urge to continue to lecture Kasia, not that she thought he made an effort to try.

  "You think that you have everything figured out.” he drawled, “Now that you're a grown woman."

  Kasia rolled her eyes as they walked toward the village in the distance. "I bet you'd prefer it if I stayed mindless and agreeable until you decide I'm old enough to have an opinion." There was venom in her voice, and she could feel her neck and cheeks heating as her temper rose.

  Wojciek laughed as if she'd told him a joke. "I am just pointing out that you don't have everything figured out like you think that you do. You'll see, one day you'll realize what life is about. You'll see that I am your future, we'll marry, and I'll make you a woman. My woman."

  Sickening green revulsion rolled in Kasia's belly, twisting about like pox riddled snakes inside of her. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped in shock. He could not have just said that to her.

  Andrew and Janine had frozen in horror behind them, their eyes darting between Wojciek and Kasia.

  The silence was broken by a loud clap. Kasia had smacked Wojciek across the face. "You're disgusting! How dare you speak to me like that!"

  Kasia's eyes darted around like a spooked horse, her shoulders rising and falling with her rapid breathing. She looked like an animal that had been backed into a corner- one that would rather die than be taken.

  Wojciek turned on her. "You dare to strike me?" He growled.

  "You more than deserved it! Do you think anyone else could speak about taking my maidenhead so casually?! Stay the fuck away from me, Wojciek - and keep your filthy mouth shut!" Kasia screamed right back at him.

  "Not an option if you want to be outside of the castle." He sneered.

  Kasia let out an indecipherable shriek. She turned on her heel and marched the rest of the way to town, pointedly ignoring Wojciek. She lifted her hand to and made a vulgar gesture by way of farewell.

  Andrew and Janine jogged to catch up to her. Janine touched Kasia's back soothingly and Andrew called Wojciek several unsavory names under his breath.

  They reached the inn, and Kasia's fury still had not cooled.

  Kasia nodded in greeting to Sondra, then went straight up the stairs to Isaak's room.

  Upstairs, Kasia let herself into Isaak's room and locked the door behind her.

  Isaak was sleeping soundly underneath a thin blanket. If the sound of her entering had stirred him, then he showed no sign of it.

  A storm of emotions raged inside Kasia. Anger at Wojciek, grief that Ivar wasn’t here, and relief at seeing Isaak again. Her feelings for him surged inside her, shocking her with their intensity. She had forgotten just how much she liked him amidst all the horrors of the past week; But now that she stood looking at him, she staggered beneath the weight. This feeling was more than ‘like’… was this what love felt like?

  She walked over to him and caressed his sleeping face. Her heart slowed from its angry pounding replaced by feelings of peace and safety. A tear slid down her cheek. Damn Wojciek. Damn him to the Destroyer’s abyss.

  Wojciek would never have her. She would never let him touch her. Why was she waiting? Why was she holding back from Isaak?

  ‘One day, you’ll realize what life is about.’ Wojciek’s callous words echoed in her ears.

  ‘So that’s it?!’ Kasia thought venomously, ‘You’re born, you fight, you breed, and then you die? Well fuck that! Some people don’t even make it that far! Ivar didn’t!’ Fresh grief as thoughts of all the things Ivar would never get to do washed over her.

  Kasia made a decision. She slipped out of her clothes, heart hammering at what she was about to do. Was this a bad idea? Was she being reckless? Probably to the first, and a definite yes to the second. But what if she died tomorrow? Would she regret not letting herself ever live? Definitely yes. She climbed into the bed alongside Isaak’s warm hulking form and began trailing kisses down his chest. Her hands trailed hungrily along his shoulders, his arms, his chest. The rest of him was still hidden beneath the blanket.

  Her fingers itched with the desire to be bolder, to slide beneath that thin barrier and touch lower. To cross that final threshold that she had held herself back from for so long.

  “Hmm…” Isaak purred dreamily at her touch, the low timbre of his voice reverberating inside her. “Now that is a lovely way to be woken up.”

  Isaak’s hand reached out and cupped her face. He pulled her close and drew her into a long, languorous kiss. His eyes mapped her face, “And what a sight to behold when I first open my eyes.”

  Kasia saw the moment when he realized she was naked, her bare form laying next to him on top of the blankets. His pupils dilated, becoming black bottomless wells full of a thirst that could never be quenched. Not in this lifetime.

  His reaction pleased her. The idea that he could drink from her again and again and never be sated. Kasia kissed him passionately, ripping back the blanket that separated them. She touched his naked body hungrily.

  Yes. She thought. This is right. I want it to be him.

  Kasia climbed astride her woodsman. She could feel that burning part of him pressed against her. She trembled with fear and excitement.

  Am I really about to do this? It doesn’t feel real!

  She lifted herself an inch or so above him and reached down to touch Isaak.

  A strong hand grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "What the fuck are you doing?!" Isaak snapped.