“On the ground,” she ordered.
“But me feet—”
She lifted her sword to point it at his chest.
He nodded and dropped to his knees.
“On your stomach,” Raven commanded.
The man took a deep breath and eased himself onto his stomach.
Raven glanced at Landyn.
He was closer and had his sword drawn.
She returned to his side, keeping an eye on their prisoner.
“What do you plan to do with him?” Landyn asked.
“Be merciful,” the man pleaded. “I can help you.”
“Tie him to that tree,” she answered, indicating a nearby trunk with a jerk of her chin. “And gag him.”
“Wait,” Landyn called and walked past her to the man. He squatted down before him, examining him.
“Ya can’t leave ’er in charge,” the man argued. “I haven’t seen the likes of her ever. She’s abnormal.”
Raven grabbed the man’s arm and dragged him to his feet. “You’re just upset because I beat you in a swordfight.” She dragged him to the tree as Landyn stood.
“Ye’re a girl! And ya cheated. There’s no other reason ya could have beat me.”
“There is one way.” She pushed him down, leaning closer to him. “I’m better than you.”
Landyn retrieved more rope from his saddlebag and brought it over to her.
Raven wrapped it around the man’s torso and tied it in double knots behind him. She stood up, inspecting her work as Landyn placed a piece of cloth in the man’s mouth and knotted it behind his head.
They stood and gazed down at the man. Raven released a sigh of satisfaction that the annoying man was finally gagged, and she wouldn’t have to listen to his insults any longer.
She walked to her horse. Thunder nickered and pushed his nose into her shoulder. She stroked beneath his chin. “I’ve missed you too,” she whispered and pressed a kiss to his nose. Instinctively, she began to inspect him, running her hand over the bridle and buckles on the saddle.
“I took good care of him,” Landyn protested.
“You don’t know him as I do,” Raven answered. She picked up one of Thunder’s front legs to inspect his hoof.
“I already did that.”
She shot Landyn a scorching gaze before turning back to the hoof. She placed it on the ground and moved to Thunder’s rear hoof.
Landyn sighed and walked to his horse to remove the flask from one of the bags. He uncorked it and drank deeply.
When Raven finished inspecting her horse, she looked at Landyn. He was watching her with the flask in his hand. She should be angry with him for leaving her. A breeze rippled strands of his black hair. He stared at her with an intensity that aroused her desire. She understood why he left her. It was wrong but reasonable.
Landyn offered her the flask.
Raven took it, grateful for the offer. She hadn’t had anything to drink all day. She swallowed a mouthful. After her parched throat was satisfied, she lowered the flask and handed it back. As Landyn replaced it in his saddlebag, Raven said, “It’s not your fault.”
“What isn’t?” Landyn asked.
