"You walked everywhere?"
"I have feet."She raised a brow."And I fear they work."
He paused before speaking once more, "Ride with me.I'll walk beside you."
"I really don’t think—"
"It’s easier to talk when people aren’t watching us."
His intention finally dawned on her.
"You want to talk?"
He nodded."But you'll have a better view from up there, and I'd rather you didn't strain your delicate constitution by walking."
"Delicate—" She stopped."Are you mocking me?"
"Absolutely not, Khatun."But his eyes were definitely laughing."Clearly you do more than eat and sleep; you are definitely very capable of physical activity."
Nkiru, watching this exchange, looked like she wasn't sure whether to be horrified or delighted.
Azul made her decision."Fine.But if I fall, you must send me two hundred gold coins!"
"That seems fair."
She choked, aghast.
Why did he agree so easily?Did he have any idea how expensive that was?
Maybe my chi has finally listened to me and sent me a money tree.Suddenly she was very enthusiastic and ready to ride out.
He helped her mount—his hands at her waist, lifting her effortlessly onto the stallion.The horse shifted beneath her, and she grabbed desperately at the mane.
"Don't pull," Ragnar said."He's well-trained.Just sit."
She nodded shakily, cursing her greed.She didn’t want to fall, even if two hundred gold coins sounded utterly tempting.
Ragnar took the reins and began walking, leading them towards the tree line where the other riders were gathering.
"You're really doing this," Azul said, eyes darting around at the shocked faces of the party they were leaving behind."Walking like a servant."
"It’s nice to speak to you without fifty people listening."He glanced up at her."Khatun?"
Azul looked away, cursing his bloodline.He was charming; she hated it.
Ragnar's eyes crinkled again.
"For a man who nearly killed me a few times, you’re being awfully considerate.Have you really been smitten by me?Was it that easy?"
He laughed, a robust sound, making the others a few feet away turn to look at them."Khatun, have mercy on me.Some questions really shouldn’t be asked so casually.Aren’t you afraid?"
Her heart skipped a beat."Afraid of what?"
"Ah… truly too much," he said under his breath.
Azul struggled to understand his words, and he moved on quickly, not leaving her room to probe.
"My Lord, why won’t you let me see your face?"After all, kissing a mask was a strange thing to do.
