The Dread Hammer Read Online Free

lost?”
    “Yes, of course you will. Lost or eaten.”
    “I won’t be lost if you show me the way.”
    “And why would I do that?”
    Making an effort, she put on her sweetest smile. “To show me your kind heart.”
    “I don’t have a kind heart, and nor do I lie, as you do.”
    “Oh, rot it!” She bent to pick up her staff. “Just tell me which way the forest road lies. I’ll take my chances there.”
    “It lies back the way you came!”
    “Right! Of course it does. And, well—”An embarrassed flush warmed her cheeks. “Which way is that?”
    He turned his gaze briefly skyward, as if imploring the Dread Hammer for an extra share of patience. Then he fixed his green eyes on her again. His anger had faded, leaving him perplexed and maybe a little hurt. “Ketty, why do you pretend not to like me? Why do you play at running way?”
    Her treacherous heart wondered the same thing, but she defied it, and him. Thumping her staff against the ground, she said, “You are the most astonishing creature! So utterly spoiled. Look at you—pouting!—because I have not agreed to take you out of the blue as my husband.”
    “You only refuse because you’re stubborn. You want me. I know you do. You’re just too proud to admit it.”
    “That is not true.”
    “And you should be flattered that I want you.”
    “You are so vain!”
    “So? I have good cause. I’m beautiful. My sisters always said so.” He licked his lips and spoke more softly. “You think so too. I can hear your heart beating faster when you look at me.”
    “That’s because I’m afraid!”
    “You even like the way I smell, don’t you?”
    She blushed. “You are impossible! You will drive me to distraction! Even if you are beautiful—and I’m not saying that you are!—I don’t even know you.”
    “You know me. You’ve named me.”
    “Smoke? What kind of a name is that? That’s not a man’s name, but then you’re not a man are you? You’re a forest spirit. One of the Hauntén.”
    This was too much for him. He drew back, affronted. “How have I harmed you, that you take such delight in insulting me? Of course I’m a man. How could I fancy you otherwise?”
    “Today you fancy me, but what of tomorrow, next month, next year? What will become of me when your sudden fancy turns to someone else?”
    “And who should it turn to?” He looked around, his arms spread wide, palms up in a helpless gesture. “Who else is here to distract me?”
    Ketty was stunned. “You live alone in the Wild Wood?”
    “I told you I am but one and I am alone. Don’t you pay attention to anything I say? Ketty, you must cease this argument and yield to me now. There’s no good reason for you to decline.”
    “Oh, yes there is! I don’t fancy you .”
    For a moment he appeared too stunned to speak. Had he never considered such a possibility? But a moment later a bright smile chased his doubt away. “Ketty, you are such a liar.”
    She bridled. “How dare you speak—” But just then a cloud shifted, sliding from the face of the sun. A brighter light reached through the leaves to flicker over his handsome features: his pretty, golden-honey hair, his fine nose, his white teeth, his sparkling green eyes. The scar on his neck was cast into shadow. Ketty blinked, her heart racing and her throat gone dry. “It’s just . . . I planned to go to Nefión.”
    Smoke stepped closer. He held his hand out to her. “It’s better here. No one comes here. It’s a hidden place. Your father will never find you, and I’ll share it only with you.”
    She thought it over. To go with this creature was surely a mad thing to do, and yet her treacherous heart was urging her to give in, if only for the present. “I am very tired,” she conceded. “Maybe I could stay at your house tonight before I go on to Nefión?”
    Smoke took his hand back. He lifted his chin. “You’re as nervous as a she-wolf just out of the den.”
    “Well, if you don’t want me to