People around the castle were more quiet than before, though Kasia was unsure if it was because of the threat of the werewolf or because of what had happened to Wojciek. Her father still had not provided anyone a reason for Wojciek’s banishment. Kasia was amazed at the lack of mutiny among the knights. They accepted her father’s word without question. That was the kind of respect Lord Commander Jon Najberg had achieved in his years leading the Knight Hunters.

  Surprisingly the rest of the week passed without incident.

  With Wojciek gone, Ren returned to train the recruits. Unfortunately for the initiates, as hard as Wojciek and Tomira had been, no one was as demanding a trainer as Ren.

  “What do you think he did?”

  “Wojciek… banished?”

  “I’ve never seen the Lord Commander that angry.”

  There was lots of murmuring among the initiates as they trained. And each time Lieutenant General Ren heard it, he worked them twice as hard.

  “They need to fucking shut up.” Andrew moaned as, yet again, they were on the ground doing push-ups.

  Kasia found herself unable to respond. Guilt twisted her insides into knots, her intestines becoming snakes that writhed in her gut.

  Eventually the knots turned to bile, and Kasia had to run off to the sidelines to throw up the porridge she'd had for breakfast that morning.

  “What a pussy!” Harold called after her. The group laughed. Though many of them also seemed like they might throw up soon, too. The amusement was short-lived as Ren added more push-ups.

  Harold approached Kasia at the end of training. “Come on, Red.” And began to walk to the castle.

  Kasia trembled. How could she look Wojciek’s brother in the eye after what she had done? How could she… perhaps it would be better if they took a break from training together. Kasia could scarcely stand to be within three feet of him.

  She followed him to say just that, “Harold, I…” she couldn’t bring herself to say it. If this was how she was feeling, what must it be like for Harold? What if he needed these extra sessions, just as she had needed him after her fight with Isaak? To brawl and to rail and to cry. No… she wouldn’t stop coming, for his sake.

  Harold found one of the empty classrooms and led her inside. Once they were alone, Harold brutally pinned Kasia to the wall. One hand balled into a fist, poised to strike her in the face,"What the fuck did you do?!"

  Harold's eyes burned with true hatred. "What did you say to your dad?"

  Kasia went pale. Her eyes filled with tears. She didn’t shield her face. Didn’t resist his rough handling. If he wanted to beat her into a pulp, she would let him. She deserved it.

  “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen– I didn’t want this to happen! I tried to talk my ojciec out of it!” Tears spilled down her cheeks and her head dropped back against the wall in resignation.

  “Wojciek–He… caught me sneaking out to see Isaak. I… I begged him not to tell my ojciec… he agreed to punish me without involving my Tatu?.” she studied Harold’s hate filled eyes as she spoke.

  Of course he condemned her. Hated her. This was her fault. “He…took me to his room. I thought he was going to have me clean it or something but…” the words wouldn’t come out. How could she tell him what Wojciek had done? What she had done?

  Her mouth opened and closed but it was as if her vocal chords were paralyzed.

  Harold shook her roughly, “But what, Katarzyna?!”

  “He didn’t want me to clean, he- he made-” no, that wasn’t true. Wojciek hadn’t made her do anything. She had chosen to strip for him, she had been willing to in exchange for keeping her secret. This was all on her.

  “He asked me to undress for him so he could—could look at me. I- I did.” Kasia let out a strangled sob and turned her head away from Harold, shame curdling in her gut.

  “And that was supposed to be the end of it. But then he said that for him to remain silent I would need to keep him happy. I… I was afraid he would rape me.” her voice was little more than a whisper now. “And Wojciek said if I told my Tatu?, that he would say that I had tried to seduce him to get out of trouble. I was so scared, I didn’t see any way out! I went to my Tatu? and told him everything–about sneaking out and what I had done for Wojciek not to tell. I wasn’t trying to get Wojciek in trouble– I asked my Tatu? not to even mention what I had told him! I just wanted everything to go back to normal and for Wojciek to have nothing to hold over me…Tatu? sent me to wait in my room. I didn’t know what was happening until I arrived at the throne room and saw Wojciek in chains… I’m so sorry Harold! I’m so sorry! I didn’t want this, I promise! I never wanted this!”

  Kasia broke down into sobs, covering her face with her hands. She had destroyed his family. Taken his brother from him and essentially sent him off to his death– to the monster that had killed Bruno and Ivar. “I’d take it all back if I could!”

  "You're a fucking liar! You've always hated my brother for no reason! And of course daddy dearest will do whatever you want! Nepotistic bitch!" Harold raged at her.

  Kasia just sobbed under his abuse like a broken doll.

  "And to think I—" He didn't finish his statement. "---Fuck You!"

  “I’m so sorry…” Kasia whimpered, shaking her head. He didn’t believe her. He thought she did this on purpose! Sure, she had tried to get Wojciek reassigned for a few months while she finished her training–– but she never wanted to sabotage his career!

  Harold didn’t believe her… of course he didn’t. Kasia hadn’t believed it even while it had been happening to her; never believed Wojciek would behave in any way that was less than honorable…

  "Get the fuck out! I don't ever want to see you again! I'll be the best hunter ever, and I'll do it without your help! I don't need you!"

  Kasia stumbled away from him and ran back to her barracks room. She threw herself on the bed, hiding her face in her pillow. The guilt was eating her alive.

  Andrew and Janine ended up bringing her food from the Cantina when she refused to leave her room.

  "I know what you're thinking, Kasia, but this isn't your fault. You shouldn't punish yourself because Wojciek faced the consequences of his own actions." It hadn't even been a full day but Andrew was already concerned for her.

  "I cost a man his life. I destroyed his family, took away Harold's brat! I might as well have raised the blade myself! All because I was off being a whore! If I had been good, if I had followed the rules like you told me to, none of this ever would have happened!"

  Janine snatched Kasia's hand which had begun to start plucking hairs out of her head. "Don't you fucking dare. You're not a whore. You're in love. Expressing love with Isaak is not wicked, don't taint it. Am I a whore, Kasia? Andrew and I aren't married."

  Kasia gave Janine a watery smile and whispered, "Maybe just a little."

  Janine sputtered in shock, then laughed, "You bitch."

  “Well, is she wrong, my love? We aren’t the best example of ‘purity’.” Andrew smiled as he joined in teasing Janine.

  "Yes she is!" Janine swatted Andrew in outrage. "I am loyal and faithful to you! My love for you is pure and good. I will not allow anyone, even you, to make me feel like what we're doing is wrong!" She growled ferociously.

  “I yield, I yield. Whatever you say, my dearest.” Andrew held up his hands, “Kasia, Wojciek made his decisions. You didn’t do this.”

  "Then why does it feel like this is all my fault?" Kasia asked him.

  “Because you think that the stars revolve around the Lord Commander’s daughter.” Andrew teased her. “You can’t control everything. No matter how smitten your father is with you.”

  Kasia gave him a look that was both angry and grateful. "Will you both stay here with me tonight?"

  Her friends helped her drag the mattresses onto the floor and they all cuddled together in a big pile. Andrew left, just once, to steal vodka and leftover pies from dinner out of the kitchens.

  With her belly full and her heart empty, Kasia smiled weakly at her friends, "Thank you guys. I really needed this."

  All week during training Kasia was struggling to keep food down and would throw up after the harder sessions. She was developing a small bald spot near her temple from picking her hair constantly, despite Janine and Andrew smacking her hands every time they saw her reach for her scalp.

  Seeing Harold was painful. Kasia wanted to repair whatever strange and fragile friendship they had been building…but the enmity in his eyes whenever he looked at her hit like a physical blow.

  On top of that, Kasia's father had forbidden her from seeing Isaak. The pain of it ached. She needed him like she needed to breathe. And so, despite it being forbidden.. she snuck out anyway. ‘It isn't as if Wojciek is around to catch me anymore,’ she thought bitterly. To her surprise, Andrew and Janine encouraged her. You need to think about something besides what happened with Wojciek. If Isaak is good for anything, it's making you forget about everything but him.

  That had made Kasia smile. It was true. So she crept through the passages hidden in the castle walls and tunnels beneath once more. She was fearful now that she had told her father that she had been sneaking out, a guard would be posted. But there wasn't.

  She arrived at the inn, enjoying a quick chat with Sondra before making her way to Isaak's room.

  "My love," her heart lifted when she saw him, a weight she had been carrying all week. "So much has happened."

  Isaak’s smile was like the sun emerging from stormy clouds, "In four days?"

  Kasia's shoulders trembled and she rushed to his side, where he quickly made room for her on the bed. She didn't know where to start. She didn't want to tell him what she had done; she was ashamed.

  She took his hands in hers, playing with his fingers to distract herself.

  "Wojciek caught me sneaking out… he…I didn't realize… he offered to keep my secret if I let him see me naked. I-I'm sorry! But I did it." Kasia began to cry with shame, hiding her face from Isaak.

  She felt Isaak stiffen, but he didn't say anything. His arms wrapped tightly around her, though, so she knew he was not unaffected by her words.

  "After, he said- he said that– that I would need to keep paying for his silence. I refused. He told me if I did that, he would turn my Tatu? against me–say that I had come to him and tried to seduce him."

  Kasia's crying increased.

  "I didn't know what to do, so I went straight to my Tatu? and told him everything—how I've been sneaking out, that we…that we touch. And how I had sold my body for Wojciek's silence!"

  Kasia couldn't speak for several minutes, her voice had gone high and hysterical.

  "Tatu? forbade me from seeing you again! And then he dragged Wojciek in front of all the knights, stripped him off his rank and banished him. He's as good as dead and it's my fault! And I betrayed you! I was willing to pay for his silence with my body!"

  Kasia looked up at him with blurry tear filled eyes, desperate for absolution. For him not to spurn her. “Do-do you hate me?!”

  "Why?” He answered simply. Though his face was mostly expressionless.

  Kasia blinked at him dumbly for several seconds, "W-why what?"

  "Why should I hate you?”

  "Because a man asked to see me naked and I let him." Her eyes searched his, trying to read through his blank expression.

  "So I should be angry at you for using your beauty to your advantage?" Isaak gave her a half-smile. "Though it sounds like it didn't go as you expected."

  Kasia's stared at him, stunned, for a moment, then threw her arms around him. "No, it didn't. Not at all."

  "And you were worried that I'd be upset?" His fingers caressed her face.

  "Yes. Because I told you I would be faithful to you. But I let another man look at me."

  "Are you faithful to me? Do you desire the love of another?" His voice was equal parts comforting and threatening.

  "No," she whispered to him breathlessly, "I only want you. Your love."

  "Then what do I care about the eyes of others? What I have is beautiful. Let them covet what is mine. For you are mine." Isaak stole her breath with a kiss.

  Kasia moaned into his mouth, his lips, and was soon ripping off her clothes to touch him closer. She wanted to give herself to him right then and there, but she also wanted her first time with him to be special. More planned out, rather than an impulse. But as she groaned beneath him her resolve almost cracked. She wanted him so badly.

  This rest day she would do it. She would give herself to him wholly and completely.

  Jon POV

  All of the initiates and some of the newer hunters were gathered in the Grand Hall. The Lord Commander and his brothers had summoned them there for instruction. This was extremely unusual as the initiates were normally trained completely separate from the full knight hunters who had completed their rites.

  “Ren, summarize what we know about Lycanthropes.” The Lord Commander addressed his brother, one of his generals.

  “Well, there are stories of these creatures all across Europe, though the earliest appear to have come from either Greece or England…possibly this is where the species originated, but there are too many conflicting sources to be certain.

  “They appear to be affected by the moon and her phases– their transformations from man to beast occurring when the moon is full. This coincides with the recent attacks– it was right around the full moon. I expect we won’t see another victim until next month, if the stories hold true.

  “Here is where it gets tricky– any carelessness on your part and their curse will become yours. That is to say, anyone can contract the curse through a bite or scratch. A human who contracts the curse from another werewolf will transform on the next full moon. This first transformation is often referred to as their "birth. We can counteract this transformation if we treat the wound with a tincture of wolfsbane before the first transformation. After, the only cure is death so do not wait to seek treatment if you are injured in the field.”

  “Alchemically speaking, silver comes from the moon. It shares a sort of…sympathetic connection to the moon– and thus, over werewolves. While a cut from a normal steel blade will heal rapidly, the sympathetic magic invoked when cut by a silver blade disrupts this process. The effect can be so strong that in some cases, there were reports of simply touching a silver object to an individual affected with lycanthropy would cause a burning reaction on the skin. Silver also has many purifying properties, and thus, by being a creature that is profane in nature– anything pure or holy causes pain or weakness.

  “Let’s see, ah,” Ren muttered, thumbing through his notes, “They aren’t immortal. Just very strong and fast.. So… like a bear, but meaner. Hunting it in a similar fashion is effective, in my experience.” Ren shrugged. “I expect this should be a fairly straightforward hunt.”

  “So what you’re saying is, just stab it enough times and it will die.” a voice from the gathered knights shouted.

  “Not quite. They will recover.” Nathan responded, “The aim is to remove the head from their neck or heart from their chest.”

  “The beast is dangerous," the Lord Commander's voice boomed through the hall, "but werewolves are something that we deal with all the time. We are only being cautious because it is so close to home. Dismissed.”

  The Grand Hall cleared out of everyone except for the three brothers.

  “I still think that we should have told them it could be one of the villagers.” Ren murmured quietly.

  Jon shook his head, “I do not want to start a panic. We do not know who it is. It could have been a passerby, or traveler. We don’t know.”

  Ren hummed, tapping his lips with a finger, “I’ve been thinking on how we could expose the wolf, if it is one of the villagers. Have some sort of wake or gathering on the church grounds. Do everything to make the gathering as enticing as possible– either for fear of looking impious to their neighbors, or attracting them with food or alcohol. Then, we make note of who doesn’t come– perhaps even send out knights and initiates to knock on doors to ‘personally’ invite anyone who hasn’t arrived. A cursed creature such as this shouldn’t be able to set foot on holy ground. We could also have the initiates report on who attends church every week.”

  Jon considered Ren's plan, his face grave, “We must do something, but without making a show of distrusting the villagers. This will end poorly if we fail to maintain the relationship between the village and the castle.” Jon signed. “Any more ideas?”

  “What if we sent out initiates on community service?” Nathan blurted.

  Jon rubbed his temples wearily, “We’ve been through this, Nathan. You’ve got to finish your thoughts.”

  “We send out small groups of initiates every day wearing gloves lined with silver. They go to each house and help the family. Have them find a way to touch each person in the household; if anyone hears sizzling, we have our monster.”

  “Hmm, the thought definitely has merit." Ren's eyes were far away as his quick mind began turning over possible construction of the gloves, "And we justify the extra presence as wanting the villagers to feel safe after all the attacks.”

  “No, no, no. Too much. The villagers feel safe. In short order they’ll have forgotten about the stag, and the attacks were only on our knights.We cannot tell the villagers that there is reason to be afraid. The less the villagers know the better. And we have time until the next full moon. Ren, can you get us a few pairs of gloves? They need to look natural.”

  Ren nodded.

  “If we get accused of a witch hunt … or worse, cause one among the villagers, it will get messy. And target the woodsman first. I still don’t trust him.”

  Ren shrugged. “As you wish. The gloves shouldn’t be difficult to make.” he bowed and left.

  Isaak POV

  “I don’t need help, really. And who the hell made you get up so fucking early to catch me before I left the village?” Isaak was confused that someone would be at his door at this hour. Well, at least not without insisting on inviting him to breakfast. He had seen a number of initiates in the village every day. It was strange. He didn’t trust it.

  Two idiot initiates were at his door. He decided to call them Pretty Useless for the weak looking female and Uselessly Pretty for the slightly more competent looking male.

  “Who the fuck whines about getting help. For free, I might add.” Uselessly Pretty rolled his eyes disdainfully.

  Pretty Useless smiled charmingly at Isaak and placed a placating hand on Louis' arm to quiet him. “This is part of our training to become knights, sir. The Lord Commander said we must help every single person in the village. A knight’s purpose is to serve and protect their community. Please, there must be something we can assist you with?”

  “But I don’t need help. I don’t want it. Don’t tell anyone but I only spend about an hour or so cutting wood. I just hang out in the woods. Really, I’m a lazy ass. There’s surely someone else who needs your help.” It may have been early, but it was more than warm enough for them to not need gloves. Why were they wearing them?

  Pretty Useless sighed, frowning. “But…we’re supposed to help everyone.” She looked extremely put out. She looked up at Uselessly Pretty, “What do you think? What should we do?”

  Uselessly Pretty rolled his eyes, looking extremely disgusted with the entire situation. Especially Isaak’s nudity. He frowned for a moment. “Wait a second… you are the wood cutter? You are the one fucking the Lord Commander’s daughter?” His eyes narrowed and a look of jealousy and amusement crossed his features. A lascivious smile formed on his lips, “I must shake the hand of the man who finally bedded her."

  “Is that what they’re saying?” Isaak growled menacingly, standing to his full height. He was tall, big muscles, well built, confident, and completely naked. It presented an intimidating image. “Spread those lies and I’ll pray that whatever is hunting the hunters picks you next. She told me that you’re an ass.”

  Uselessly Pretty sneered; if he was intimidated, he hid it well. “Oui. I am an ass. And she is a prude—Well, was a prude. I had no interest in wasting years trying to bed her. I honestly never expected her to fall so easily.” Uselessly Pretty smiled, pleased. “It took you, what? A month? Two? Had I known she would have given in so quickly, I might have stuck it out.”

  “I’ll not be shaking your hand, little frenchie.” Isaak glared down at Uselessly Pretty. “Now get lost, both of you.”

  Uselessly Pretty chuckled darkly, “A denial then. Just as well.”

  Pretty Useless elbowed her companion hard in the side, glowering at him before turning back to Isaak. “Please, sir. Excuse his behavior. Katarzyna Najberg is a fantastic huntress. It is nice to meet you sir.” She held her hand out in greeting.

  “It’s too early for pleasantries. Thank you for your offer, but I really don’t need your help.”

  The young knight whined, distressed, but accepted defeat gracefully, “I, uh, very well, Sir. Sorry to bother you.” The initiate shuffled her feet uncomfortably and turned to leave.

  Isaak sighed in irritation, “Wait. Since you will be returning to the castle. Here’s how you can help. Wait here.” He pushed the door nearly shut and went back into the room.

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  After scrawling a quick note onto a parchment, he returned to the idiots, holding out the note. “Please deliver this to initiate Kasia.”

  Uselessly Pretty reached forward and snatched the letter, brushing his fingertips against Isaak’s as he did so. He opened the letter in front of Isaak’s eyes, reading it in front of him.

  Isaak smiled, hiding any sign of pain and placed his hand on the door frame, hiding the burn that now marred his fingertips. Little cunt.

  “Little Red,-- ack, such a sweet term of endearment, do you not agree, Dorota?” he glanced at his companion.

  “Why do you call her Red? She hates being called that.” Pretty Useless frowned.

  “The rope around her neck,” Isaak chuckled darkly.

  Pretty Useless’s frown deepened, “Yeah…that’s why all the other initiates call her that behind her back, but it is strange that her lover would call her by such a morbid insult.”

  Gods, these pups were annoying. And weak. Not even worth the effort it would take to kill them, even if it would give him a brief moment of satisfaction. “I enjoy morbid things. Besides, it makes her unique.”

  “Almost dying isn’t unique among the knights. Though surviving might be.” Pretty Useless muttered quietly, affirming Isaak's decision to name her ‘Pretty Useless’.

  Uselessly Pretty cleared his throat and continued to read, annoyed that the conversation had turned away from him, “I haven’t written a letter in a very long time…’ Honestly, I’m surprised a man like you even knows his letters,” Uselessly Pretty sneered before continuing, “so this may be short. Actually it will be. You will not find me in the room the next time you come. Meet me on the beach.’

  Pretty Useless snatched the letter from Uselessly Pretty, sliding it into her pocket. “I’ll make sure she gets the letter, Sir. I’m sorry for Louis.”

  Well, maybe she was useful for one thing. But he wasn't about to give her a new nickname for it.

  Uselessly Pretty eyed Isaak up and down again. “I do not see the appeal. So common and vulgar.” He leaned into Isaak and whispered so Pretty Useless wouldn’t hear, “I touched her pussy first. And now that she’s stopped keeping her legs together, I am certain once she tires of you, I will again.”

  “Not if you're dead.” Isaak growled. What an irritating little gnat. Isaak imagined painting the walls with the cretin’s blood. That cheered him up.

  Uselessly Pretty laughed, clearly delighted he’d gotten under Isaak’s skin. “Spoken like a true beast. What do I have to gain by fighting with someone so far beneath me? When she has tired of you rutting her like a pig and realized that you have nothing else to offer, she will leave. I need do nothing but wait.”

  Isaak chuckled. “I am quite the beast, you french sod. Kasia is mine, and I protect what is mine. Touch her and I will snap your neck like a twig.” Do it. Fight me. Die for me.

  “Charming. You two must have scintillating conversations.” The obnoxious talking dick chuckled, “Though I doubt you do much talking. Farewell, pig man. I will leave you to your sty.” With a flippant wave, Uselessly Pretty walked off.

  Pretty Useless looked guiltily up at Isaak. “Again– I’m really sorry about Louis. He thinks that just because he’s from France and a nobleman he’s better than everyone and all the girls just worship the ground he walks on. And maybe they do at first- when he’s shiny and new. But beneath it all, he’s shit and we all know it.” She patted the letter in her pocket. “Delivering the letter is helping you, yes?”

  Hmm, insulting the French sod…maybe you do deserve a new nickname. Errand Mule. Yes, that suits you.

  “It would be most helpful.” Isaak smiled, “And don’t worry, I’ve met plenty of his kind. He’ll join me in the mud eventually.” When I'm holding him down in it before I crush his skull… “By the way, what’s with the gloves in summer?”

  Errand Mule shrugged, “New uniform. I dunno, I just do what they tell me.”

  “Then deliver the letter. And let me go back to sleep.”

  “Okay. You’re the boss.” She laughed and followed Uselessly Pretty out of the inn.

  Kasia opened the letter given to her by Dorota and Louis. Her eyes scanned the parchment and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

  “Thank you, Dorota....Louis.” She forced the frenchman’s name past her lips. She still hated him. Dorota smiled and left, but Louis lingered, eyes scanning up and down her body like he could see through her clothing.

  “What the fuck do you want?” Kasia snarled at him.

  “I’ve met your brute.” Louis smiled, and the expression was not kind. “He is such a large man, it’s a wonder you survived being impaled on his cock. How did you manage to fit it? You’re so tiny!”

  Kasia’s jaw dropped and her face burned red. She smacked Louis across the face.

  He cupped his cheek and smirked at her like she had caressed him, “Aw, mon c?ur, I have missed your touches. What do you say we pick up where we left off, eh?”

  “What the actual fuck is wrong with you?! What makes you think I would ever want to touch you?”

  “You wanted this once, no? But you were not ready to have an adult relationship. Now you are.”

  “You’re disgusting Louis.”

  “I’m not the one whoring around the village, ma petit. But I do not mind if you enjoy a few indiscretions. Life is made for living, after all.”

  “Get the fuck away from me, Louis—before I break your fucking neck!” Kasia snarled at him.

  Louis seemed completely unperturbed. “As you wish, ma petit. Let me know if you would like to pass time together once more. I will be happy to pleasure you— and I will be far more skillful than your brute.”

  Kasia ripped off her boot and threw it at Louis, who ducked and ran off, laughing.

  Jon POV

  The recruits reported back.

  Yes, they had touched everyone on their assigned list.

  No, no one reacted to the gloves.

  “Hmm.. well that plan didn’t work. Though I think they should just keep wearing the gloves anyway.” Ren sighed.

  “Maybe it was someone that passed through?” Nathan offered, “Gdansk is by the coast. Lot of sailors passing through.”

  “We’ll find out soon. I’ll send out the announcements that the restrictions are back in place. The full moon is soon.” Jon sighed. Of course it hadn't been that easy. It never was. Still, it would have been nice to have dispatched the monster before it turned into a slavering beast again.

  His brothers nodded and the meeting was adjourned.

  Kasia POV

  Now that she no longer had extra training with Harold, Kasia found she had the time and energy to sneak out almost every night.

  She emerged from the castle’s secret passage, already thinking about her woodsman, when a voice emerged from the darkness that made her blood run cold.

  “I couldn’t find you in your bed last night.” The voice behind her vibrated with authority. The shadow of a bear blocked the moonlight above her.

  Kurwa! Kasia wanted to rewind time. To vanish. To be anywhere but here in this moment. But here was where she was.

  Her shoulders trembled, but her voice was firm, “I know you’ve forbidden it, Tatu?, but I can’t stay away from him. I won’t. I love him.”

  "You would defy the Lord Commander?" His voice thundered down at her. "What has become of you?"

  Kasia nearly pissed herself in fear, her whole body shook with it. Tears leaked from her eyes and she clamped them shut. “I- I- I don’t… want to go back to life before I met him. I tried, after our fight, and I was miserable. I can’t… he makes me so happy. Everyday I get up and I am excited because it’s another day he’s in it…and if he’s not… Everything feels empty.”

  Jon cocked his eyebrows. "You would disobey me?"

  Kasia let out a tiny whimper, then forced herself to straighten, to steel her spine. She looked the Lord Commander dead in the eye, defiance radiating off of her. She balled her hands at her sides, "Yes, Tatu?. I would."

  "Alright, let's hear it." He replied gruffly..

  Kasia jerked in surprise, "Hear what?"

  Jon began to walk towards the village. "Tell me why it's worth defying me. How do you have the courage to do so? Or stupidity, I haven't decided which it is yet."

  Kasia hurried after him, having to jog to keep up with his much longer strides. "I already told you, I love him. I want to be with him. Where once I pictured traveling the world alone as the height of freedom and happiness, now the dream is a lonely one. I want to do it at his side. I want to do everything with him by my side."

  Jon sighed, "Him? He's twice your age. If not thrice your age. You'll live most of your life without him."

  Kasia shook her head, "No Tatu?. I'm done putting off following my heart because of things that might happen in a future that hasn't arrived. He's here with me now. I love him. He makes me happy. That's all that matters.

  "He doesn't seem like a good match. He's so confrontational. Downright rude. I don't like him. I don't think that he's a good match for you."

  "He only acts that way with you and my Wujeks because you are all so aggressive and hostile toward him. He's tender and playful with me. He…” Kasia paused, trying to find the words.

  “...gives what he gets, I suppose. If you assume he's a rogue and treat him as such, then he'll play the part since you wouldn't believe anything else about him, otherwise. And you've met him twice. You don't even know him. How can you know if he is a good match for me or not?"

  "Brazen little girl." Her father growled, but let out a chuckle. "Where did my Katarzyna go?"

  Kasia reached out to hold her father's hand, "Please don't say that, Tatu?. I'm still your Kasia. I always will be."

  Jon took her hand in his. "You were never supposed to grow up. You promised—I know! I'll send you away. Once this foolish notion of love has passed, then you can come back."

  Kasia squeezed his hand tightly, "Sending me away sounds terribly lonely for the both of us. Why does it bother you so much, me being in love? You didn't care when I wanted to travel the world hunting monsters alone. Isn't it better that I should have someone with me?"

  "But why not someone of an appropriate age? Or someone who doesn't make me feel like they're trying to claim your purity?"

  Kasia shook her head, “It’s not that I’ve been closed off to it, but I haven’t felt that spark with anyone.” She didn’t bother to mention Louis. Git. “But I’ve wanted Isaak since the moment I saw him. And the more time I spend with him, the more I love him.”

  “Not to mention Wojciek was absolutely after my purity and you approved of him! Every man is after that, and the ones who say they aren’t are just lying! The difference with Isaak is that he would love me and want me whether I was pure or not… Most other men can’t say the same. He would not see my value or my worth diminished because another had touched me.”

  "... I didn't know that Wojciek was capable of such evil…" Her father replied quietly.

  “I… never thought he would do that either. But at the same time, with the way the men talk… the knights… I shouldn’t have been so surprised.

  “The thing about Isaak, that I love– one of the many things… he is very open and up front with me about his desires. He has told me he wishes to lay with me, but he has accepted my refusal every time. I don’t feel pressured to sleep with him. I know he’s not passing time with me just to have sex. At first, I thought he might be, but then he pointed out that if that was all he wanted, there are far easier women to pursue… He wants to spend time with me. Be with me. He cares about me as a person in a way Wojciek never did.”

  "I don't want you sleeping with him!" Her father said firmly. "Gods, how did we end up at this conversation? Find yourself a husband, Kasia."

  Kasia chuckled, amused. “I have, Tatu?. Now I just have to convince the both of you.”

  Kasia could hear her father grunting and mumbling under his breath.

  She squeezed his hand affectionately. “Um, out of curiosity, Tatu?, why are we still going to the inn? I would have thought you planned to drag me back to the castle after catching me?”

  "I should, shouldn't I? After all you did defy me. I should lock you in the dungeons. Keep you safe forever. You know what, you're right. You're grounded" Jon began to drag her back in the direction of the castle.

  “Then you’re going to have to lock me in there forever because I won’t stop going to see him!” Kasia snapped back.

  Jon’s laugh boomed through the trees, “Silly Katarzyna, you don’t truly think I would lock you in the dungeons, do you? No, far easier to kill the woodsman and just be done with the whole matter.”

  Kasia’s face twisted into a scowl and she shoved her father with all her might, “Don’t you dare!”

  Jon laughed at her warmly and rumpled her hair. "My ferocious daughter!"

  Kasia had not been expecting laughter. She had no defense for it. All her anger dissipated in an instant. “Thank you? What—what’s so funny?”"

  "Nothing. Let's go have a talk with this scoundrel. Maybe I can still scare him off."

  Her father's sudden change in demeanor floored her, but she wasn’t about to question it. She followed him to the inn, still holding his hand. When they arrived, Kasia said, “Would it be all right if I went up to let him know we’re here? If not, I can ask Sondra.”

  Her father held up his hand to stop her. “No, I can.”

  The inn was quite busy this time of night. Sondra was flitting from table to table, her cheeks rosy with life.

  When she paused, Kasia's father called out to her, "Sondra, would you be so kind as to fetch the woodman for us?"

  "Of course, Lord Commander." She beamed at them both. No one ever felt unwelcome in her inn.

  Within moments she returned. "He refuses to see you."

  Jon scowled. "Impudent bastard."

  Kasia’s jaw dropped and the color left her face. What was Isaak doing? Surely Sondra had told him that she was here as well. Why would he refuse, knowing how difficult her father’s anger could make things for the both of them?

  “Did–did he say why?” Kasia asked hopefully..

  "He did not. He only said to 'send him away'." Sondra struggled to hide an amused smirk. She clearly was enjoying the drama.

  "Who does this fucker think he is?" Jon's face quickly shifted through shades of red.

  Kasia sighed, upset. “Please, Tatu?, may I go speak to him?”

  "Absolutely not! Alone in his room? I won't have it." Jon began to storm the stairs. Sondra made no move to stop him. It would have been physically impossible, even if she had.

  Kasia let out a small frustrated shriek and followed after her father, if only to keep him and her beloved from coming to blows.

  Jon reached the top of the stairs and stopped, eyes scanning the hall. "Which room is his?"

  Kasia sighed and pointed weakly at Isaak’s door.

  "Thank you." The scowl returned to her father's face as he stomped towards the door. He didn't stop. He didn't knock. He stormed right in.

  "Now listen here you little shit! How dare you… naked?! You're naked?!"

  "I never invited you in, Your Majesty." Isaak replied calmly.

  Kasia groaned in the hallway. She didn’t dare enter the room while Isaak was naked and her father was present. “Isaak… why are you doing this?” she whined from the hallway.

  "You knew she was coming and this is how you expected my daughter to find you?!" Jon's growling continued and the sounds of scrambling could be heard.

  "Maybe I was dressing for you— does it not impress you?."

  Thud!

  Choking noises emerged from the room.

  Isaak knew her father was here. He knew her father would come up and he still hadn’t bothered to put pants on. Damn him.

  Letting out a weary sigh, Kasia walked into the room.

  Kasia, unsurprised, found her father strangling a naked and smiling Isaak.

  "Is this how you treat Sondra as well?!"

  Anger boiled inside her– at both of them, though mostly at Isaak, truth be told. “ENOUGH!” Kasia bellowed. “Tatu? release Isaak and SIT DOWN. Isaak- PUT SOME FUCKING CLOTHES ON YOU DAMNED FOOL!” she walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a pair of his trousers and threw them at his head.

  Surprisingly, Jon let go of Isaak and sat down in the only chair in the room.

  Isaak grumbled, "Do I have to?"

  “Yes. You. Do.” Each word from Kasia’s lips was clipped, and full of fury.

  Sullenly, Isaak obeyed.

  “I have had enough of this! What the fuck is wrong with you?! Why the fuck are you behaving like a child?! You know my Ojciec has forbidden me from seeing you– so when Sondra informed you that he had shown up with me, did you not think that it might be important?!”

  "Important or not, is this how every villager is treated? Beckoned and dismissed at the whim of the Lord Commander?"

  Kasia’s fury continued to mount, “When your–” she struggled for the word to use, “--romantic companion shows up in the middle of the night with her father at your door, Lord Commander or not, I would think any village man would answer simply out of affection for his lady! Do you harbor no such affection for me, Isaak?! Do you want to continue to have me be torn between my love for my family and my love for you?!”

  "No." His answer was short. But his face didn't change.

  Kasia softened slightly, breathing out some of her anger. She sat on the edge of the bed and clasped Isaak’s hands with hers. “My Ojciec caught me sneaking out tonight. I told him that I would never stop trying to sneak out and see you because I love you. He asked to come and speak with you. Will you please speak with him— for me?”

  "To what end?" Isaak questioned her, eyes fierce, "He wants me gone. Isn't that right, Jon?"

  "If you value your life, scoundrel." Her father growled.

  "I do not. At least, not enough to leave your daughter behind."

  Kasia nodded, pulling Isaak’s hands to her lips and kissed them. She turned to look at her father, “Tatu?... is that the only reason you want to speak to him? To tell him to leave?”

  "Maybe. I don't know." Her father admitted, arms folded over his chest, "I hate the idea of you two together.” He released a long sigh, “But could I ever want you to be unhappy?"

  Kasia gave him an encouraging smile, “I love you, Tatu?. What else did you want to talk to Isaak about?”

  “I wanted to know that you’ll be well taken care of.” Jon’s gruff voice replied. “To know what his intentions are.”

  “My intentions are between me and your daughter.” Isaak said challengingly.

  “You rotten excuse of a man!” Jon began to rise from the bed to charge at Isaak.

  Kasia moved to intercept him. She put a hand on her father’s chest, calming him. Once his breathing had stopped sounding like a raging bull, she turned back to Isaak and sat down beside him, “Please, Isaak. If my Tatu? can try, can’t you? This… this is important to me.”

  “Well, am I wrong?” Isaak challenged her.

  Kasia rubbed his hand gently, “Yes… and no. If your parents or friends asked me about my intentions toward you, I would answer them honestly. Do you not want him to know your intentions toward me? That you care about me? That you want to be with me? Your answer can be as simple as that. I… don’t want you and my Ojciec to be at war with each other.”

  She began to play with his fingers, “Is it because you are offended that my Ojciec thinks your intentions are dishonorable to begin with?”

  “Oh, I don’t care about that. They were definitely dishonorable when I first saw you.” He smirked wickedly at Kasia.

  A low growl escaped from Jon.

  Isaak met her father's gaze unflinchingly, “I enjoy your daughter’s company.”

  “I don’t trust you.” Jon replied. “I’m sorry, Kasia. I don’t know what I’m doing here. Can’t I go back to strangling him? We’ll all be happier, I promise.”

  “It is far less painful than trying to converse with you.” Isaak teased.

  “Son of a bitch.” Jon mumbled.

  Kasia sighed and rubbed her temples. “He is trying, Tatu?. He answered your question.” She took Isaak’s hand and pressed it to her heart, looking at her dad. “Did you have any other questions?”

  “I guess that I just need to know that you’re not going to do anything stupid.”

  Kasia smiled ruefully, “And what would you consider stupid?” Please don’t say sex! Please don’t say sex!

  “Oh, I’m sure that you know.” Jon tried to smile at her.

  “We haven’t fucked, sir. Yet.”

  Jon looked ready to explode.

  Kasia smacked Isaak’s chest. “Why are you so determined to make my Tatus hate you, Isaak?”

  “I’m really not, but it’s just so much fun I can’t help myself.” Isaak kissed her hand slowly.

  Jon’s nostrils flared and his eyes sharpened. “You will not make a harlot of my daughter!”

  Kasia’s face whipped toward her father, “No one will make a harlot of me, Tatu?! When I have sex, it will be something that is done out of love. There is nothing dirty or vulgar about love.”

  "Good, wait for marriage. It is ordained by the Creators."

  Kaisa smiled and turned back to nuzzle Isaak's shoulder. Her meaning was clear. I'd marry him if he were willing. "Well, it's getting late. Isaak, thank you for your company and conversation." She kissed his forehead, then his lips. "I don't know when I'll be able to see you again. I'm still waiting to find out what my punishment will be for sneaking out…again." she glanced over to her father and gave him a brief smile. "But I'll come see you as soon as I'm able. I love you."

  Kaisa pressed her lips to his in a firm kiss, trying to communicate as much feeling into the gesture as she was able. "Goodnight, love."

  Turning, she held out her hand for her father to take. "Shall we go home, Tatu??"

  "But he's still here." Jon whined. "Are you sure that I can't scare him off?"

  "You'll have to kill me, sir."

  "With pleasure." Jon barred his teeth at the other man in a feral grin.

  "Tatu?! Please stop abusing the man I love." Kasia huffed irritably and stomped her foot.

  "When I'm convinced that he won't defile my baby girl, then maybe." Her father replied gruffly. "He was waiting for you in the nude!"

  Kasia sighed and wrapped her arms around her father's waist, "I know, Tatu?. I know " she tugged on him gently, "Let's go home.."

  Jon took his daughter's hand and followed her out, but turned back to utter one last threat, "I'll kill you if you make a dishonest woman out of her."

  Once they were outside of the inn, her father spoke, "Really? Him? I don't see it."

  Kasia squeezed his hand, "All I can say is that he's different when we're alone. He only shows you the worst parts of himself and for the life of me I can't figure out why. He doesn't take anything seriously, as I'm sure you've noticed," she laughed, giving her father a knowing look, "but there's such freedom in that. I know you think we spend all our time sinning in a grand debauched stupor, but honestly, we mostly play. Hide and seek, trying to dunk each other in the ocean, racing…There was one afternoon where we were swimming in the ocean and he threw me as far as he could, and I'd swim back to him and he'd do it again. He did that for an hour, just because it made me happy. Kornosz and Jacek used to play with me that way." Kasia sighed wistfully, she missed her brothers.

  "When I'm with him I'm not thinking about the future or worried that I'm going to die like Ivar or Bruno… I'm just there, with him, and I'm happy. I feel like I've been sleeping through my whole life and he helped me wake up and live it. That's why him."

  Jon grumbled. “I don’t like it. I should keep you from seeing him again.”

  "You don't like that I've found someone playful and fun, who makes me happy and has taught me to live in the present, rather than worrying about the future? Gee, Tatu?-- what would you consider good husband material? Someone with no emotions and a stick up their ass?" Kasia was growing frustrated with her father's dismissal of all the things she loved about Isaak.

  “No.” The Lord Commander grunted, “I love that you found that. I just don’t trust him. There’s something about him...So if I continue to prohibit you from seeing him?” Jon asked calmly.

  Kasia grumbled, “Then I’ll keep seeing him anyway and just be in trouble all the time.”

  “Fine.” Her father sighed in exasperation. “But you’ve got to stop sneaking out at night. I have the castle under quarantine, remember?”

  “It’s been under quarantine for months!” Kasia protested, “Do you know how maddening it is to have someone watching me every second of every day?! We know it’s a werewolf– why not just quarantine on the week of the full moon?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being extra cautious. And no one who has seen it has survived. We think that it’s a werewolf. It is likely a werewolf. But we don’t know for sure.”

  “Okay, well it has only attacked at night– what if the quarantine is only at night? I could handle that.”

  Jon groaned. He didn’t want to give anything up. “You’re not wrong. But it’s only attacked at night so far. If something happened to you Kasia, I couldn’t bear it.”

  Kasia stomped her feet sullenly, “Okay, fine– what if you let Isaak come have dinner with me at the castle? Then I wouldn’t need to sneak out, and if he got eaten on the way home, I’m sure you would celebrate.”

  “Hmm… fatten him up, make sure that he smells delicious and irresistible and then send him home alone in the dark?” Jon grinned at Kasia with playful malice. “Can you sweeten the offer?”

  Kasia’s eyes brightened with hope, “I can hang a necklace of kielbasa around his neck?”

  “No. I want something out of this too.”

  Kasia raised an eyebrow, “I thought me being safe is what you got out of this. What do you want?”

  “I’ll know it when I hear it. We have a long walk ahead of us.” Jon put an arm around her, “Kasia?”

  “Yes, Tatu??”

  “I love you.”

  Kasia’s eyes sparkled with happiness, “I love you too, Tatu?. So much.” She hugged her father. Then she clambered onto his back. “Never too old for a piggyback ride!”

  "Really?! You just don't want to walk home." Her father yelled incredulously. "This trip was your idea. You should carry me."

  “I can if you never want to actually make it there.” Kasia chirped from his shoulders. “You should run. I want to feel the wind in my face.”

  He did, and she laughed with joy.

  Isaak POV:

  The next day a messenger arrived at the inn with a letter from Kasia.

  Tatu? has said you are welcome to come have dinner with me every evening at the castle!!

  I finish training everyday at 4, that gives us the rest of the evening to ourselves! Come have dinner with me tonight—and every night after please!

  All my love,

  Kasia

  The letter definitely smelled like Kasia. It was unlikely that someone else had written it to lure him to the castle. He would go. Though he didn't exactly want a familial audience watching them. It was far easier to enjoy licentious pleasure with his damsel at the inn.

  And Kasia had yet to see the humor in irking her father. Both times she had gotten upset at him for taunting the hunter. With time, she would understand. And he planned to see to it that they would have all the time in the world.