He looked younger than she'd expected—maybe twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Tall even while seated, with a lean muscular build that reminded her of a dancer or an assassin. His long black hair was tied back in a warrior's knot, a few loose strands framing sharp, handsome features that would have been beautiful if not for the hardness in them.
His eyes were dark brown, almost black, and they tracked their approach with predatory focus. He wore leather and fur like his warriors, but the quality was finer, the craftsmanship better. Tribal tattoos covered both his arms completely, disappearing under his vest. She could see more ink peeking out at his collarbone, the edge of what looked like a massive design that probably covered his chest.
A thin scar cut across his throat—pale and old but vis
