Flashback ( PDFDrive )

training?”
“Not without Elwin’s approval,” Mr. Forkle assured him.
“And mine,” a squeaky voice added—and Sophie spun toward the
sound, wondering how long Sandor had been standing in the shadows
of the gorgodon’s enclosure without her noticing.
His nose was back to its usual flat shape, and all his cuts and
bruises seemed to have healed. He’d also made some additions to his
armor: Two wide black belts lined with throwing stars crisscrossed his
bare chest, and he had a twisted dagger sheathed on each of his burly
arms, all of which made him look decidedly less than huggable—but
that didn’t stop Sophie from closing the distance between them and
wrapping her good arm around his waist.
“Thank you for staying with me,” she whispered, leaning into his
side and getting a noseful of the musky goblin scent that used to gross
her out but now seemed like the best thing in the world.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Sandor murmured, his voice
thickening as he held her tighter. “I don’t deserve it—”
“Yes, you do. I don’t deserve to have you risking your life to protect
me.”
“That’s my honor,” Sandor corrected.
“And mine,” another voice said as two child-size arms wrapped
around Sophie’s waist from behind.
She pivoted into the hug, breathing in the scent of flowers and tree
sap and freshly tilled earth, then trailed her hand across Flori’s plaited
hair.
“I’m so honored to have this chance to keep you safe,” Flori told
her. “Calla would be so happy.”