Risa didn’t think she would ever tire of a clear sky. Not the expanse of blue, the wisps of white clouds, the dazzling sun. It didn’t matter that her skin grew overheated or that she started sweating after a few minutes in the grueling heat.
“This will take you to Monpira.” Linda indicated a dirt road that circumvented the mountain and cut through the meadow at its base. Grass and flowers in full bloom rippled with an errant breeze, stems and faces bowing over the path that centuries of weary people had worn to dust.
“Thank you for helping us,” Amina said, already on her horse, hood pulled low over her forehead once more. She sat atop a saddle that Linda had found in a heap she called her “small leather goods” pile. “And for your gifts.”
“My pleasure,” Linda responded with a smile. When she glanced at Brunie curled around Risa’s neck like a cowl, she scowled. “Except for you.”
“Come on,” Javi said, motioning at Risa with a nod toward their horse.
Though she felt much better after having her shoulder set and drinking Linda’s questionable tisana, she wasn’t looking forward to more hours on a horse’s back. She hadn’t really enjoyed her first ride.
“Don’t glare at him like that,” Javi admonished when she neared the horse with a wary expression that the horse returned in kind. “He hasn’t done anything to you.”
Javi placed the reins in her left hand. She tried not to startle when he stepped behind her and pressed close, his body radiating heat warmer than she knew possible. A hand reached for her waist and skimmed her left leg until it was around her knee. His other hand hooked around her ankle, much like the first time.
She avoided giving him a look, in case he caught the way her face was aflame.
“Grab his mane,” Javi directed. “And jump.”
“I remember,” she muttered gruffly, more for herself and her traitorous heart, beating wildly in her chest. She did as he directed. When she was settled in an ungraceful hunch, he followed up after her and took the reins back.
There was no need for such a reaction from Brunhilda’s spell when Javi was right there. Next to her. His back pressed against her chest. His stomach flexing beneath her fingertips.
If they stopped the wedding, did that mean she was cursed to follow himforever?
Risa shifted her weight, and Javi glanced over his shoulder, trademark grin lopsided on his lips.
“Don’t worry. I’m an excellent rider. All kinds of experience.”
Her cheeks cooled at that.
“I am going to push you off this horse,” she threatened. She was unsure his death would break the spell, but she suddenly wished to find out.
He batted his pretty eyes at her. “You know exactly what to say.”
She thought she heard Amina whisper, “Gross.”
But Javi didn’t hear her because he had already turned his head to speak to the princess. “I do hope you’re a better conversationalist than Risa,” he said with a cheerful air.
“That’s because I find you annoying,” Risa snapped at him, letting go of his waist and fisting her hands by her sides. She would have to take her chances with falling off and cracking her head on the ground.
“I haven’t the slightest idea what she likes or dislikes,” he continued.
“I dislike you.”
“That’s one thing,” Javi corrected, then turned back to the princess. “I’m curious. Whyareyou called the Wolf? There is nothing quite wolflike about you.”
“Oh.” Amina’s face turned red. “It is a little silly to explain. I—well—there are not so many job opportunities for a dead girl—and my skills are limited.” She sighed. “When I started my career—”
“As a criminal,” Javi interrupted.
“—people said I hunted like a wolf. Because no one would hearabout me for months, and then suddenly, I took out the biggest name on the bounty wall.”
Javi nodded appreciatively. “Most of the tavern seemed terrified of you.”
“Except those ruffians who attacked us,” Risa noted.
“The Sanguines,” Amina confirmed with a scoff of disgust. “They are a nasty bunch of mercenaries. And do not get me started on those ridiculous tattoos. Why have something that easily identifies you as belonging to a mercenary guild? How stupid do you have to be?”
