“How did you know I’d come?”

He gave me a don’t-be-daft look.

I pulled out a yellow skirt. “How did you know my size?”

“From your coffin.”

Shocked, I gaped at him. “What—?”

“When my soldiers arrived in Jaxton after you had escaped with Nasty Kerrick, the authorities were not happy. They had built a coffin to your size—they had written your measurements on the boards, but had no body and therefore no bounty. My men paid for the coffin. They also donated quite a bit of gold to the town for all the trouble.”

“Oh.” I had known they measured me for a coffin, but never really thought that they had actually built one. I returned the skirt.

“It wasn’t all a waste,” Tohon said. “I learned a lot about you from your neighbors. They told my men you were a nice, quiet young woman. They were just appalled that you had the gall to live and work with them. That they never suspected the truth. I was—still am—impressed you survived so long. After that, I decided to change the bounty. I wanted to meet you.”

What could I say to that? Other than wow. That single decision, to heal Fawn, had set so much in motion. Instead, I asked, “What did they do with…the coffin?”

“It’s here at the castle.”

Chapter 22

A coffin built for me was in Tohon’s castle. “Why did—?”

“Oh, I think you know why, my dear.”

“But we have a contract.”

“We do. And I trust your word to the conditions we included.”

Confused, I tried to reason it out, but failed. “What are you afraid I’d do?”

“Return to Kerrick. I’d rather see you make use of that coffin than return to his arms.”

I relaxed. Of the multiple possibilities of how this mission will end, that one didn’t even make the list. However, a far scarier scenario hit me. “Can you promise you would use my coffin, and not turn me into one of your dead soldiers?”

“And in exchange?”

“If you bury me in the coffin, then I promise not to return to Kerrick.”

He laughed. “All right, my dear, you have a deal.” Tohon held out his hand.

I stepped back.

“It’s not binding unless we shake.”

Clasping his hand, I shook it once and let go. He didn’t. Heat raced along my skin as he pulled me close. Before I could protest, his lips were on mine. My magic responded, filling me with a hyperawareness, amplifying my senses. He pushed the robe off my shoulders and pressed his hands on my back. His touch sent burning waves through my muscles. The sensation bordered between pain and pleasure. I gasped and Tohon deepened the kiss.

A combination of desire and fury flared, yet my fingers laced in his short hair as I pressed my body against his. The room spun and we wound up lying on the bed.

Tohon broke off the kiss. “Good night, my dear.” He stood and opened a panel near the headboard. Pointing to a small knob, he said, “The latch is here. Although I expect you to answer my knock.”

“What if I can’t?”

He waited.

“If I’m healing, I may be unconscious or having fever delusions.”

“In that case, make sure Winter stays with you.”

“I don’t need—”

“I don’t care. I don’t want you to be alone.” His stern expression softened. “I worked side by side with healers at the Guild for close to a year. When you wake in the middle of the night and need water or a change of clothes, Winter will be there to help you. It’s not a request.”

He disappeared into the passageway, pulling the panel closed behind him. Once my heart calmed, I realized my robe had slipped down to my elbows. Embarrassed, I yanked it up, secured the sash and then locked the panel.

I rummaged in the armoire for a set of nightclothes. Tohon’s kiss had thrown me. If Tohon hadn’t stopped… Why did he stop? Probably playing more games.

And I suspected it was my magic that betrayed me. When we touched, his life force acted like an elixir. It felt almost as if I had drank too much wine. I needed to figure out how to keep the touching to a minimum or I would do something I’d regret.

A small voice in my head asked, What is there to regret? What is wrong with enjoying yourself with a gorgeous man who treats you like a queen? Do you want to die without experiencing one of life’s pleasures?

No, I didn’t. But I had imagined it would be with someone I loved. Not a monster who woke the dead. And I needed to keep reminding myself of his misdeeds. Of the abominations he created. Because when he touched me…all logic and fear fled.

After I dressed for bed, I slid under the covers, luxuriating on the soft mattress. The white bedspread reminded me of Mom’s inn. Waking up surrounded by such comfort, I had thought I’d reached the peaceful afterlife. Except Kerrick had anchored me to this world. He had held on and refused to let go. Memories of him sleeping beside me at the inn filled my mind along with the vision of his bare back when he’d sat up.

I jerked my thoughts to the present, focusing on how I would find Ryne. That night I didn’t dream of Tohon’s dead soldiers, which was a relief. Instead, dreams of Kerrick swirled.

Winter brought a breakfast tray in the morning. After I ate, I changed into a black medical tunic and pants. Comfortable and plain, they would be suitable to working with the sick and injured.

Cellina arrived soon after Winter left. She scanned my clothes and grunted. “At least you’re practical. Well, come on. I don’t have all day.” Turning on her heels, she strode through the doorway, setting a quick pace.