I can't even fathom the idea of hurting someone.

The sense I had in the field when staring at the blade of grass - that this is more real than anything I've experienced in my life - is back. Standing in the presence of the most powerful man in this world, breathing in his clover-brownies scent, and realizing how determined he is to prevent me from returning home . . .

I have to get out of here.

Back pedaling, I put space between us then step towards the entrance.

"Where do you go, witch?" He plants his large hands on my shoulders, their weight enough to keep me from getting far.

I hunch and wriggle, but he's not letting go. "To climb a tree."

"What is this obsession with trees?" he asks, genuinely puzzled.

"It's where I go when I'm upset."

He releases me with one hand and pulls me back into the middle of the trunk with the other before releasing me. "We have no time for trees," he says, all business. "Green Dawn Cave comes for our heads. We go to battle."

"I don't . . ." My frustrated refusal fades under his glare.

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"You don't what?" he asks dangerously.

"I don't know how to fight. I just want to go sit in a tree until it's over!" I'm almost at a wail.

He says nothing and I peek over my shoulder to see what he's doing. He's got some sort of leather belt, about five feet long, with loops at either end. He's strapping one loop around his belt. As I watch, he straps the other around mine.

Shit.

"So you do not run off to a tree," he says, meeting my gaze briefly. "Because you are not of this world, you receive a reprieve instead of punishment for not following my laws. Can you ride a horse?'

I shrug. "Can't be that hard." I can also get away faster if I'm on a horse.

"Good." He dips down to grab the boar head.

The countdown draws my attention. "Can I ask you something?"

"A battle-witch is the only person in my armies who may speak openly to me."

"That's good, I think. What happens in nine days?"

He goes still, the boar mask halfway to his head, and then lowers it.

"I know it's the end of the era. I thought . . ." The last thing I want is his full attention on me again so soon. "You know, never mind."

"You thought what?" He's not resuming his movement, his eyes pinned to mine. "What does your magic tell you?"

I hold up my hand to show him before realizing he can't see what I do. "It marks the time before the end of the era. In my experience, a countdown is never good news. I'd like to know what's coming. Maybe."




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