No prickles.
“Have those men lashed. Fifteen each. Then make it clear to every fucking man in this camp that underno circumstancesare they to steal from villagers.”
He nods quickly, muttering, “Yes, sire.”
Satisfied, I head toward Mayah, Sulon close behind me. Her shoulders are stiff, neck craned as she warily eyes the snorting horses.
“Zev,” she whispers, “I don’t know how to ride. We don’t have horses in Tundrayn.”
“You can—”
“She can ride with me,” Sulon interjects.
He’s never interrupted me once, not in the three years he’s been my second, or the six years before that as a general under my command.
“No.” My voice is rough. The thought of Mayah pressed up against him has fury crackling through my veins. “She’ll ride with me.”
“But, sire—”
“Are you questioning my orders?” A low rumble of thunder sounds overhead.
“No, no,” he stammers. “It’s just … you’ve been burdened with her for weeks. I only thought—”
“Don’t think.”
Sulon’s mouth tightens, and he casts Mayah a wrathful glare.
Something snaps inside of me.
My hand clamps around his jaw. “Something you’d like to say to your future queen?” I snarl.
“No, sire,” Sulon splutters, his face turning red.
I shove him back. “Bow to her.”
He hesitates, eyes wide.
I have no patience for disobedience, and evidently, even less for disrespect for Mayah.
My voice booms like thunder. “Now!”
Sulon drops to his knees, head bowed.
I can’t decipher the expression on Mayah’s face, though I don’t think she’s pleased with me.
I walk past Sulon, mounting my horse, then help Mayah up behind me. Her arms settle loosely around my waist, though she keeps distance between our bodies. I glare down at Sulon. “Remain kneeling until we’re out of sight.”
Then, I dig my heels into the horse’s flank, and we set off.
We ride for hours. I hadn’t realized how much I missed this—the thundering beast beneath me, wind whipping my face.
Mayah’s grip around my waist is iron-tight. At first she was afraid, soft whimpers and surprised gasps. As the ride progressed, she slowly grew more comfortable, though she hasn’t loosened her hold.
I’m the worst kind of bastard, relishing in her body pressed against mine while she’s terrified—though it doesn’t stop me from urging the stallion into a few unnecessary jumps.
Another twenty minutes, and I raise a hand to signal the men to stop. I dismount quickly, then bracket my hands around Mayah’s waist and help her down.
She lookspissed, and by the looks of it, has been simmering the entire ride.
