Ezra clenched his jaw. “Without informing me? This is becoming a pattern, Rowan.”
Rowan nudged his horse forward a few steps, and Cayden followed his lead.
“Quinn has two work-studies, Commander,” Rowan said too calmly. “She spends every hour following the exact schedule you gave her with the people you assign, without complaint.”
I glanced at Cayden, surprised to hear my friend’s concerns coming out of Rowan’s mouth. For once, Cayden wasn’t scowling. His gaze remained on his horse’s ears, so I couldn’t fully see his expression, but I hoped he heard the same thing I did.
One of Ezra’s five was looking out for me.
Rowan’s horse came to a stop and bumped noses with Ezra’s leggy brown thoroughbred.
Rowan’s voice lowered dangerously. “There’s not a family within a hundred miles who’d run a woman ragged. Mine included.”
Ezra’s impassive face hardened.
My heart raced. Did Rowan threaten his commanding officer because of me?
Brody looked at my hand, still clinging to Rowan’s thigh, and his gaze burned.
I didn’t know if Cayden had trained his horse to bite on command or not, but it snapped at Brody’s shorter mount, which skittered back. Brody was forced to focus on staying in the saddle and stopped looking at me.
Cayden gave his horse a scratch. He’d definitely trained it to bite on command.
“Of course, you're right, Rowan.” Ezra flashed a signal with his hand.
The six enforcers broke into pairs and scattered. “Your wisdom is the reason I asked you to be one of my five.”
Was Ezra threatening Rowan now? Or was I reading into all of this?
“The Architect could wake up any minute,” Ezra added. “He will have the opportunity to meet Quinn.”
My blood chilled. That was definitely a threat. Right? Though, Ezra did make a lot of declarations. He never asked me to spot his bench that first night; he declared I would.
“If that’s what she wants.” Rowan patted his chest with his free hand. “It’s also what I want. But it’s ultimately Quinn’s choice.”
Ezra scowled, but gave a single curt nod. The tension in the air eased.
I rubbed my arms, looking between Rowan and Ezra. Rowan wanted me to meet the Architect, but only if I wanted to. Ezra, on the other hand, was desperate for me to what? Say hi?
I took a deep breath. The Architect saved my life. He used up so much magic that he’d been unconscious for over two weeks now.
“He chose to save me.” I looked flatly at Ezra. “I’m grateful, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t owe him for a choice I didn’t make.”
Ezra’s eyes widened slightly. He rested his palm on the hilt of his sword, as if needing to draw on its strength. “You have no debt with us.” He seemed to struggle to pick his next words. “The Architect means a great deal to me, and so do you.”
My heart skipped a beat. Skeptical Quinn immediately pointed out that I’d only been here for two weeks and I’d seen Ezra a handful of times. Desperately horny Quinn remembered his abs, and how quick he was to take off his shirt when we, er I, asked. The safety I felt at the sauna flooded me. Did Ezra like me back?
“I’ll stay, but if he tries to control me or I find out I owe him something, I’m gone.” I looked at Rowan and Cayden. The big elemental squeezed me close in support, while Cayden’s gaze burned into Ezra. Two very different types of support, but I’d take it.
Ezra inclined his head. Although his expression didn’t change, I swore his shoulders slightly dipped in relief. “We’re done here.” Ezra turned to Brody, whose gaze had returned to me.
“But, they took her against your orders,” Brody whined.
“Rowan’s one of my five,” Ezra stated, as if that fixed everything. “Return the shire horse and take the night off for your troubles.”
Brody scowled, but turned. Ezra whistled, and the beast picked up its pace with a surprised yelp from Brody, who clung to the saddle, as the horse raced back to its beloved stables and pile of hay. I made a mental note not to leave my room alone tonight.
Rowan squeezed his thighs, and his horse took a few gentle steps forward. Cayden followed suit. To my surprise, Ezra spun his horse so that the three walked abreast with Rowan and me in the middle.
