Jodhar could never understand that. What he’d forced upon her was nothing more than a mockery of what she’d shared with them—of what she could have with them.
He must’ve mistaken the crack in her composure for weakness, because his sneer widened. “Such a pretty lie you tell yourself, babybird. But your body couldn’t lie, could it? You can hide it all you like, but you?—”
“Careful, Jodhar,” came a lazy drawl, sharp enough to slice through Jodhar’s voice.
The onlookers turned as one, parting instinctively as Kaelen strolled forward, the picture of unconcerned confidence. His expression was steady, but the sharp tilt of his grin didn’t hide the steel lurking beneath.
“You’ve got quite the talent for flapping your gums,” he mused. “Ever thought about taking that act on the road? I hear circus performers make a decent living.”
Jodhar’s nostrils flared, his grip tightening on his sword. “Stay out of this, you bright-haired bastard,” he snapped. “This has nothing to do with you.”
Kaelen tilted his head, one fist propped on his hip, his tone turning contemplative. “Strange. I thought it had everything to do with me when you laid your greasy paws onmycompanion.”
His gaze flicked briefly to her, and the tightness in her chest eased. “That makes it my business, don’t you think?”
Jodhar’s lips curled into a snarl. “You think you’re some kind of hero, coming to her rescue? Don’t delude yourself.”
Kaelen’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it sharpened. “A hero?” he echoed, feigning thoughtfulness. “No, not really. I prefer a rat-catcher. I have little patience for vermin who forget their place.”
Her heart squeezed. His every word sounded calculated, a deliberate needle meant to provoke. As she watched Jodhar’s face darken, she saw it was working.
Jodhar stepped toward Kaelen, fingers flexing around the hilt of his sword. “Big words for someone who looks like they’ve never seen a real fight.”
He turned to the crowd and spread his arms wide, his voice booming across the caravanserai. “Who wants to see me teach this pretty boy a lesson, huh? Shall I show him what it means to cross a true Alpha?”
Nervous murmurs swelled around them, mingling with the occasional cheer from Jodhar’s mercenary friends. Most of the caravanwatched in wary silence, their gazes flicking between the two men with uncertainty.
Kaelen let the silence stretch longer than necessary. He didn’t rush, didn’t react. Instead, he stood there, contemplative, as if weighing his options.
For the briefest moment, Reiya caught his eyes flicking to Elder Tasim.
Finally, he spoke. “If it’s a fight you want, so be it. But know this—I’ve bested men better than you.”
Her grip tightened on Alarik’s arm, nails digging into his skin as her chest rose and fell rapidly. She strove for calm, but fear slipped through the cracks. She knew well enough what Kaelen was doing.
And she knew Jodhar, too—reckless, base, the sort who would strike low without a second thought.
“Alarik, no,” she whispered, her voice unsteady. “This is folly. Call him off, I beg you.”
His jaw tightened, but he gave a small nod, and together, they made their way toward Kaelen. Leaning in, he spoke low, just above the rumble of the gathering crowd.
“We’re leaving Zohara in the morning. Dune Crest is half a day’s ride. Can you not stomach him a little longer, for Yara’s sake?”
Kaelen’s gaze didn’t shift from Jodhar. “If we let him go now, he’ll come back. Again and again.”
Before Alarik could answer, she stepped in. “It’s enough, Kai. The duel might make things worse. Your brother’s right. Let this end here.”
Kaelen at last turned to her, and the chilling calm in his eyes sent a shiver through her bones.
“He insulted you,” he said, his voice low but no less fierce. “He dared to mark you.”
At the reminder, her hand lifted of its own accord to her neck, fingertips brushing the tender, bruised skin.
Alarik’s hand closed firmly over Kaelen’s shoulder. “She is safe—that’s what matters now. If you truly care for her safety, think of what comes after. Jodhar isn’t the sort to bow out quietly—nor with honour.”
Kaelen’s jaw tightened. “All the more reason he must be cast fromthe caravan at once. Much can go awry before we reach Dune Crest tomorrow.”
Reiya opened her mouth to argue, to say something—anything—to break through Kaelen’s stubborn resolve. But before she could, Jodhar’s voice sliced through the silence.
