“No,” Snow answered. “You may not.”
The stranger paused within a few feet of them and now she was able to make out his features. He was tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a hooded cloak. His face was still shrouded in shadows but she was able to see his pale blue-green eyes and square chin with a dimple in the center. His face was covered in stubble, as though he had been traveling for a few days.
Her heart skipped as she peered at him. Her magic reached out to him, tingling and sizzling. She sensed something earthy about him. Something that told her he was like her. He had a crisp, clean scent that reminded her of a spruce tree, but underneath that was the heady scent of wood smoke. He was earth and fire. He was wind and sun.
He was an elemental.
He cleared his throat. “My lady, you’re staring.”
“More like gaping,” Ardan added, his tone flat with a tinge of jealousy.
She jerked herself out of her thoughts and tried to look away from him but found she could not. She was drawn to him in a way she had never been drawn to anyone.
“Show him the blade, Ardan,” she heard herself say.
He gave her a look as though she’d lost her mind. Perhaps she had but said nothing. He handed the blade over to the stranger, who took it and examined it with a critical eye. He twisted and turned the dagger. Since there was no moonlight, it was hard to see the wavy steel. Even so, it still shimmered with its iridescent glow.
“This is a fine weapon,” the stranger said. He lifted his gaze back to Ardan and gave him a magnificent smile. “And I should know. I forged it.”
“You’re the master blacksmith?” Ardan asked.
Snow continued to gape, her heart doing double time her chest.Hewas an Artificer. What had Master Harwin said? They knew how to manipulate fire, air, and the iron deep within the earth.
“I’ve been called that,” he said with a nod, sounding humble. He returned the dagger to Ardan.
“My father visited your forge. You made this for me,” Ardan said.
The stranger stepped closer to look Ardan up and down, then stepped back. “Your father was the elven lord who commissioned it?”
“He was,” Ardan said sounding proud.
The stranger’s gaze turned to her then. “But you are not an elf.”
“I am not,” she agreed. “I’m human.”
One dark brow raised, his expression curious and interested. “I’ve heard stories this forest is enchanted. I see the stories are true.”
She flushed, her cheeks burning.
“If you’re truly passing through, then we should let you continue on your way,” Ardan said, clearly ready to be done with the stranger.
“I am passing through,” he said. “I mean no harm to anyone.”
“That’s good. Because I am the protector of this forest. I do not take kindly to hunters who try to hurt those who inhabit this place.”
She didn’t know what made her say it. Ardan’s head snapped in her direction and she could feel his stare boring into the side of her head. But she kept her gaze locked on the handsome stranger with the blue-green eyes standing in front of her.
“I assure you, I am no hunter.” He granted her a knee-melting smile. “I’ll be on my way then.”
He headed around the horse, who had stood patiently waiting for him to return to the saddle.
“If you’re looking for a water source for your horse,” she said, “there is a stream that runs east to west just north of here. You can rest there for the night, too.”
A faint light of wonder twinkled in the depths of his eyes. The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of his mouth. Despite the shadowy darkness, she saw it.
“Thank you, my lady. I am grateful for the information.”
He stuck his foot into the stirrup and hoisted back into the saddle, taking the reins in his weathered hands. He continued his path to the north. Snow remained where she was watching him leave until he was well out of sight. Her heart sang with delight and, for the first time, joy bubbled through her.
