She was loud. Fenrin wondered for the fiftieth time how she'd managed to surprise his men. He watched from the treetops as Jayln made her way through the brush. She wasn't going back to the village and he didn't think she was dumb enough to get lost—she had to be looking for him.

He knew he should be glad that she was dumb enough to trust him again, instead he was strangely unnerved.

There you are, second chance to get what you want.

He frowned, that inner voice was the feral one, eager to show its strength and follow through this time. Fenrin needed to talk to her, but he'd expected to have to beat her to the village. He was taken aback that she was looking for him.

Finally, he made the decision and dropped to the forest floor behind her with a dull thud. She spun round, fists up. He didn't get any closer, just asked, "Can I have my sword back?"

She reached behind her, slowly slipping the sword out of the straps, never taking her eyes off him. Those green eyes were deep in thought, but she didn't hesitate to toss the sword at him. He lunged and caught it gracefully before it hit the ground. With a flourish, he spun it and sheathed it.

"To Taka then." He turned and began to walk.

"No."

Fenrin didn't stop, but he slowed. Jayln took a deep breath. "Not until you promise me it won't happen again. Not to me or anyone else."

He didn't turn. "Promises are just words."

"Say it anyway."

Jayln watched his back as, finally, he stopped. She peered at the back of his head, trying to guess at what he was thinking. After a long enough pause that Jayln began to wonder if she should repeat herself, Fenrin rolled his shoulders and waved a hand nonchalantly. "I promise."

He resumed walking and Jayln followed. Even if it was just words, she had to believe words could matter. Although, she did sleep with a dagger for the next two months.