Page 106 of Warrior of the Wild
Iric’s eyes narrow. “Stop that.”
My arms go around Soren’s neck.
“Rasmira, don’t you—”
And I lean in for a kiss. Soren is more than happy to playalong. His hands press into my back, and before I know it, he’s tilting me backward.
A gagging noise comes from behind us. “Okay, stop! You’ve made your point. Please! Dear goddess, stop!”
It’s awfully difficult to focus on Soren when Iric is yapping in the background. Soren’s lips turn up into a smile against mine.
“Do we take pity on him?” I ask.
“I’d rather not.”
“Rasmira, I swear I will dump the new armor I made you into the gunda-guts-infested lake if you don’t stop this instant!”
That gets my attention. “You finished it?”
“I will not say another word until you sit in your own chair!”
I sigh, but rather than do as he says, I simply turn, pressing my back against Soren’s front, so our mouths aren’t anywhere near each other.
“That’s as good as you’re going to get,” I say. “Now talk.”
Iric narrows his eyes, but he gives in. “It’s done. Should fit you like a glove. I’ll take you to see it tomorrow.”
“Good, I’m going to need it. I think it’s time I challenged the god.”
Soren freezes underneath me as Iric’s eyes widen. Soren hadn’t gotten to the part in our story where we learned about the lodestone and I explored Peruxolo’s lair, so I tell Iric the rest now.
“So you need a new ax,” Iric says after I finish.
“Yes.”
“I’ll build you a new one. No problem.”
“Iric, don’t encourage her!” Soren says.
“What are you talking about? This is what we set out to do! We both can go home now, and you want to deny that privilege to Raz?”
“It’s not that,” Soren says. “I just don’t think we’re ready for Peruxolo yet. We need a plan on how we’ll face him. Where we’ll do it.”
“I already have most of that figured out,” I say.
“You do?” Soren asks.
“Yes, I spent our walk back to the tree house thinking about it. If you spent less time trying to talk me out of it and more time being supportive, we could have discussed it together.”
Soren lowers his head to my shoulder. “Sorry. I’m listening now.”
“Here’s what I think we should do. First, you two need to go home to Restin.”
“What?” Both boys snap at the same time.
“Iric’s hyggja head isn’t going to last out here, and that feather could blow away with a breeze. You two should take your proof home while you can, and I’ll come with you in order to see how you’re received. I want to know if the village will really welcome you back. That’ll change how I decide what to do next.”
“How so?” Soren asks.
