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Zarek sits like a man used to being obeyed. Like he's never once in his life had to raise his voice to get what he wants. Rhydian lounges against the bedpost with his hair a mess and his sleeves rolled up, and he has a smile that makes me want to smile back even when I'm trying to be suspicious. And Kaelen looks like he could tear a dire wolf in half with his bare hands.

Which, come to think of it, he might have.

Their clothes are simple but well made. The cabin is beautiful, all polished wood and thick rugs and shelves full of books. There's even a little study in the corner. It's far too nice for a hunting lodge in the middle of nowhere.

And none of them seems bothered at all about the fact that they fought off a pack of dire wolves with their bare hands.

Wealthy lords? Warriors? Both?

"So," I say carefully. "What do you three do?"

"This and that," Rhydian says.

"That's not an answer either."

"We come up here every winter," Zarek says. "To get away."

"From what?"

"Everything," Kaelen says.

I wait for more. Nobody gives me more.

Silas comes to mind, then. How he always called it concern when he grabbed my arm. How he could make wanting to own me sound like wanting to take care of me. Pretty words can hide a lot.

But these men haven't asked me for anything. They've given me a fire, a bed, and the best soup of my life, and so far, the worst thing any of them has done is laugh at me.

That's a good sign.

Probably.

Time to get practical. I sip my water.

"I was trying to cross the pass," I tell them. "To get to the village on the other side. I have a friend there." I tear off a piece of bread. "How far was I when you found me? Half a day's walk? Less?"

The three of them look at each other.

It's a quick look. But I see it, and I don't like it.

"What?" I say.

Zarek leans forward, his elbows on his knees. "You'd wandered off the trail."

"I know. A little."

"More than a little. You weren't in the pass anymore. You'd turned northeast. Into the deep forest." He says it gently, which somehow makes it worse. "Almost nobody goes there. Our cabin is miles from the nearest road."

I stare at him. "I was going the wrong way?"

"Away from the village," Kaelen says.

"Farther away," Rhydian adds, wincing. "With some enthusiasm, actually."

My spoon clatters into the bowl.

I'd thought I was close. I'd thought I was still somewhere near the trail, and if I just kept walking, I'd find it again. I'd have kept going. Deeper and deeper into the mountains, until my legs gave out and the snow covered me over.

My stomach turns.