“No one knows for certain, but whatever happened left more than what we can see on his face.”

Moving back to the table, she dipped her quill in a portable vial of ink and jotted my measurements down onto a small pad of parchment. “Those hips and that bust…” she said with a smile over her shoulder. “Even without the rest, I can see why he’s doing his utmost to keep you.”

I frowned, heat drenching my neck and cheeks. “Oh, it’s nothing like—”

Turning to me, she pressed her finger to her lips, her eyes darting to the window. A brief glimpse of raven hair made me smile as I wondered what in the stars this wolf was doing.

Wonder was soon swallowed by dread with Olivianna’s next question. “Where are you from? You’re not local, or I’d have seen such a dress before.” Pursing her lips, she tapped the end of the quill to her cheek, studying me. “A farming region? But you’re incredibly well spoken.” Her eyes narrowed at my shoulders. “That posture. Regal, almost.”

My blood cooled too quickly, the heat rushing from my head to my toes and leaving me rocking while not moving at all. “I…” Words failed me. My lungs tightened with my throat.

I shouldn’t be here.

What was I doing? Standing in this cottage, in this forest, in this kingdom, allowing this warrior inside my body and to buy me gowns I did not deserve nor need—

The door opened. “Done yet?”

Dizzy with fear and relief, I reached for the back of the armchair to steady myself as soon as Olivianna twirled to her belongings. “I believe I have enough.” Packing her things, she asked the commander pointedly, “Do you?”

Scythe just glared at her, and she released a weak laugh.

With an expression I couldn’t understand, followed by a wink over her shoulder, she called, “Lovely to meet you, Aster dear. I’ll have something for you to try by next week.”

Next week?

The shock of her words, the slow to thaw ice within my veins, rendered me incapable of uttering gratitude or a farewell.

The closing door knocked me from one spiral to another. He was paying her, and quite handsomely given who she worked for and what she’d said to him in jest. He was purchasing expensive clothing I would likely never wear.

What in the stars was I fucking doing?

Just because I couldn’t bear all Rorn had done did not mean I should remain here and take advantage of this mystery of a male who insisted on doing things—

Fingers clasped my chin. A hand gripped my waist. “Breathe.”

I couldn’t.

Not enough. Not until he picked me up to put me in the armchair. But my hands refused to unclench from his tunic, so he sat with me in his lap.

I didn’t care. It didn’t matter.