Ravina's entire body locked up, her spine turning to iron beneath my fingers. A sharp, hissing breath tore through her teeth, her ribs expanding against my grip. For a heartbeat, the world stilled.
Then—
"What," she said, eyebrows completely up, "Don't tell me you have never been on a horse?" Total tease. She obviously believed that she had me.
Honestly? I wasn't even scared of her. Not even a little bit.
I was fascinated.
This woman—this warrior—had just stolen me from my people, yet she needed me, not me, but a healer. So she can't really hurt me.
I leaned in, my hot breath hitting against the ear. "Yes," I murmured, "this is my first time… on a horse."
A beat of silence. Then—
Ravina's voice softened, just slightly, the edge of it wearing thin like a honed blade. "You kid…" She exhaled, rough and low. "Aren't you feeling disgusted? Forced to sit with a dirty woman like me."
I noticed she was curious why I didn't yell like Eric at her.