Wed to the Barbarian (Barbarian Duet #1)

J em was not skilled in the art of inspiring jealousy.

His confidence waxed and waned. At the moment, he was sure there was no chance Cador favored him and that letting himself believe it was possible was a fool’s game. The best he could hope for was companionable friendship until the harvest and their return to the mainland that felt so very far away.

Oh, how he missed Santo and his parents. He even missed Pasco and Locryn, gods help him. Sitting by the hearth, Jem laughed to himself, imagining the gods he didn’t believe in granting some sort of mercy. Perhaps the god of water would carry him home on a massive wave.

His chuckle died as the cottage door opened with a gust of frigid air, the weather still not resembling what Jem knew of spring even a little.