Xander’s nostrils flared as he threw up his hands. He snarled, “If I was going to murder you, Ana, I would have already done it ten times by now.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Says the male walking around with a stab wound.”
He shrugged. “I let you stab me.”
“It didn’t look like that from where I was standing,” I snorted, releasing my grip on the branch and crossing my arms as I widened my stance. “If you want me to go in there, you’ll have to carry me. I won’t go willingly.”
Xander clenched his jaw, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Kydona, save me,” he muttered under his breath, before taking a step toward me.
We stared at each other, anger radiating off both of us as everything else seemed to fade away. The air was charged with something that felt thick and heavy, and my heart pounded in my chest. I fingered the hilt of my dagger, a snarl rising in my throat as I prepared to defend myself.
Just then, the wooden door of the murder cottage creaked open.
“What is going on here?” a withered voice spoke, shattering the weighted silence that had been stretching across the clearing.
I shook my head, taking a step back from the infuriating male, then two, before peeking around him. Standing at the door of the cottage was the shortest female I had ever seen. She had long white hair that was twisted into a bun on the top of her head. A lantern dangled from her fingertips, casting eerie shadows on her face as she bustled forward.
“Xander?” she asked in a withered voice. “Is that you?”
Then, the strangest thing happened. A smile broke out on my would-be murderer’s face as he turned around and spread his arms. The sight was so shocking that I let out an audible gasp.
“Hello, Nonna,” he said. He bent, wrapping the old female up in his arms.
She was so much smaller than him, his body engulfed hers as he lifted her off the ground. I noticed he was careful not to jostle the lantern, something I was very grateful for. An accidental forest fire was not on my to-do list for today.
From my position on the ground, I couldn’t help but notice that the female was wearing threadbare stockings under her long dress. Blood rushed to my cheeks, and I looked away.
“Put me down, Xander,” she complained before hitting the male on the arm with a wooden spoon I hadn’t noticed before. “Introduce me to your lady friend and tell me why you’re here. Don’t tell me you just came to visit your old Nonna, because I won’t believe you for a moment.”
Xander did as she asked, quickly explaining that we were looking for a change of clothing and shelter for the night. When he was done, the old female turned around. She placed her hands on her hips, pinching her lips together as she studied me. I shifted on my feet as the old female hummed.
“Ah. I see the problem. You did the right thing, Xander. A female dressed in leggings and a tunic would draw far too much attention.”
I sputtered, my eyes still wide. “This was all I had access to,” I huffed.
It was true. The servant I had traded my jewels to had only been able to get me the tunics and leggings. Anything else would have drawn too much suspicion.
“When I was dressing this morning, I had far bigger problems than trying to impress males.”
Despite the bite in my words, the old female simply nodded as she studied me in the dimming light. “What is your name, child?”
I just stared at her. I wasn’t used to talking to people, and there was something about this female that was… different.
“Did you hear me, girl?” She stepped forward, lifting a hand as though to pull back my hood.
Instinctively, I shuffled back. “Yes, ma’am.” I raised my hands. “I heard you.”
She smirked, patting her hands with the wooden spoon. “Good, good. Why don’t you tell Nonna your name?”
“Ana, ma’am,” I replied quickly.
The old female smiled, revealing a toothless mouth. It took everything within me not to shudder. “That’s a good girl.”
Just then, a shiver racked through my body. I tried to stop my teeth from chattering, but it was too late. The old female noticed, springing into action.
“Oh my goodness,” Nonna muttered to herself. Her long dress swept in the air as she turned around. “I’ve been a terrible hostess. Come on inside, children. I’ll get you both warmed up in no time.”
I raised a brow, crossing my arms and glaring at Xander. “As I mentioned to your grandson, I’m not going in there.”