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“No.”

“Obey you?”

His tail shifted behind him as he considered the question.

“When danger is immediate.”

Kesta let out a short breath. “And who decides when danger is immediate?”

“I do, if I see it first.”

“That is convenient.”

“For keeping people alive? Usually.”

She gave him a hard look.

Dreven’s expression did not soften. “If a salt fissure opens beneath you, I will pull you away before requesting permission. If a rift stalker attacks, I will not negotiate while it removes your arm. If I know a route will kill you and you insist on walking it, I will tell you no.”

“And if I disagree?”

“Then disagree.”

“You make that sound simple.”

“It is simple.” He leaned slightly closer, the movement bringing the dark ridges at the bases of his horns into clearer view. “You appear to mistake my refusal to argue every point with you for agreement.”

Kesta went still.

Dreven’s gaze held hers.

“I heard what you said in the basin,” he continued. “I know what was done to you. I understand why you hear ownership whenever a male tells you where not to walk. That does not mean every warning I give is an attempt to own you.”

Heat rose beneath Kesta’s collar.

“You know almost nothing about what was done to me.”

“No.” His expression hardened. “And you know almost nothing about this world.”

For one irritated second, she wanted to snap back.

Then the glowing fissure they had just crossed came to mind.

The raider disappearing through what had looked like solid ground.

The predators that had separated before Dreven when he entered the basin.

She hated that he had a point.

Apparently he saw the realization because one corner of his mouth shifted.

“Do not look pleased with yourself.”

“I am trying not to.”

“You are doing a poor job.”

“I have had a difficult night.”