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Chapter 9Yennefer “Motherfucker” I muttered, yanking at the thick blue root of silverleaf. My hands slipped as the root refused to budge, and I tumbled backward into the icy snow. “Fuck my life,” I grumbled, brushing snow off my pants. This was supposed to be productive—a head start before I officially got put to work. Hank, in all his vague glory, said it could be today, tomorrow, or maybe next year. Either way, I figured it was best to stock up on my herbs before diving headfirst into whatever chaos awaited me. And one of those essentials Silverleaf. Standing up, I cupped my hands and blew into them, trying to warm my fingers enough to grip the stubborn plant. Dropping into a squat, I wrapped both hands around the root and gave another tug. “Come on” I growled as my boots slid against the icy ground. Moments later, gravity betrayed me again. Flat on my back, I stared up at the perfectly clear skies, my chest heaving. For a moment, I just lay there, catching my breath, until— “MOTHERFUCKER” I screamed, startled by a pair of hazel eyes peering down at me. Scrambling to my feet, I stumbled back. “What the fuck, Broody You can’t just sneak up on people like that Are you trying to kill me” Azriel, the Shadowsinger himself, stood there, his cold, calculating gaze locked on mine. His voice was low and rumbling, the kind that made my stomach do stupid flips. “What are you doing out here” “What are you doing out here” I shot back, brushing snow off my pants. “Patrol,” he said dryly, crossing his arms over his massive chest. His piercing gaze didn’t waver. “Now, I asked you a question.” “Obviously, I’m scouting for a good place to sacrifice virgins,” I muttered, refusing to look up at him. “What” His sharp eyes narrowed, assessing me as if I might actually be serious. I smirked, “Relax, big guy. Female virgins only—so you’re in the clear.” “I’m not—” “Relax,” I cut him off with a chuckle. “I’m just refilling my herbs.” gesturing to the stubborn plant sticking out of the ground. “Do you typically do that while laying in the snow” he asked almost scowling. “Only if i feel like it” i said crossing my arms “Huh huh” he said with obvious disbelief. Letting out a breath i accepted defeat “the root is too thick i cant get it out” i muttered “Wheres your knife” he asked me like i was a fool. “I dont have one” i said too emabrssed to admit i had forgoten to take hanks. His gaze dropped to the plant, suspicion flickering across his face as he knelt down beside it. “This is a herb” I knelt next to him, feeling laughably small beside his towering frame. “Yes, it’s called silverleaf.” Azriel nodded, unsheathing a dagger from his side. “What’s it for” “Crushed into a poultice, it heals burns and cuts. Brewed as tea, it reduces fevers. It’s antiinflammatory,” I explained. His blade gleamed in the sunlight, dangerously beautiful—kind of like him. The sapphire at the end of the hilt matched his siphons. With one smooth motion, the blade sliced through the root like butter. “Here,” he said, handing me the plant. “Thanks.” I nodded, dropping it into my basket. “So, what are you patrolling” He straightened, sliding his dagger back into its sheath. “None of your concern.” Of course not. It was never my concern. Rolling my eyes, I turned and started walking. “The village is north,” he called after me. Without looking back, I replied, “Well aware.” “You’re going south.” “Once again, well aware.” “Why” “That’s none of your concern.” A large hand wrapped gently around my elbow, stopping me in my tracks. I turned to face him, his grip firm but not painful. “Where’s Hank” he asked. I shrugged. “Probably polishing his boots until they reflect like a mirror.” “You’re here alone” “Mother above I didnt relaize id have to be interrogated to go pick some fucking plants. Yes, Shadowboy, I’m here alone. And yes, I know I’m going in the opposite direction. I just got here, and I have a long list of things to collect. So, while I absolutely love these riveting conversations with you, I really shouldn’t waste any more daylight.” I turned and resumed walking, but the crunch of snow behind me told me he was following. “What are you doing” I asked, keeping my eyes on the snowdusted ground ahead of me. “I’m coming with you,” he replied flatly. “You weren’t invited,” I snapped. “Too bad.” His voice was icy, cutting through the cold air like a blade. I stopped walking and turned to face him, trying to keep my tone even. “Look, I don’t need you to come with me.” He didn’t flinch. “I don’t care what you need.” The sharpness of his response caught me off guard, and I blinked. His words were cold, but there was something harsher beneath them—cruelty. I hadn’t heard him sound this cruel before. “Then why—” He cut me off. “I don’t trust you.” I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t trust me, or you just don’t like me” “Both.” I huffed a bitter laugh. “What the fuck did I ever do to you” “You lied,” he spat, his words laced with venom. “When” “At the dinner party,” he said, stepping closer. “You lied about why you helped Hank.” “No, I didn’t” I said defensively, my hands balling into fists. “Yes, you did,” he hissed, his lips curling into a cruel smile. There was nothing friendly about it—no teasing edge, just pure malice. “So what’s your plan” I shot back, planting my hands on my hips. “You gonna follow me and stalk me until I reveal my socalled ‘true intentions’” He didn’t answer. Instead, he closed the distance between us with deliberate, measured steps. Every step he took forward forced me back until my shoulders hit the rough bark of a tree. He caged me in, his arms braced on either side of my head, his face mere inches from mine. His hazel eyes bore into me, sharp and unrelenting. “I have been watching you,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “Every move you’ve made since you got here. I don’t like liars. And when you slip up—which you will—I won’t hesitate to throw you in a cell. One mistake. One fuckup, and I will know.” The heat of his breath brushed against my skin, and the weight of his words settled like a leaden cloak over my chest. Then, just as suddenly, he straightened and stepped back, the fury in his face replaced by that cold, impenetrable calm. “You followed me here,” I said, my voice quieter now but no less accusing. It wasn’t a question. He didn’t deny it.