“Fine.” She sets Luna down gently and meets my gaze directly. “You could hurt me, yes. But you didn’t let those men hurt me when you easily could have walked away. You saved my life and my cat’s life, and now you’re bleeding and have wolfsbane poisoning because of it.” She gestures toward my wounds with that dazzling smile of hers. “Plus, I have the most dangerous mercenary in these woods guarding me now. What do I have to fear?”
A warmth spreads through my chest at her words. The most dangerous mercenary in these woods. She says it with such complete conviction, such genuine admiration, that it catches me off guard.
I’ve been praised by generals, honored by nobles, and feared by enemies across the kingdom. But none of their carefully crafted compliments have ever made me feel quite like
