The next morning, their journey resumed.
This time, Alaric strode toward her, making her heart raced. "You'll ride with me on the horse today," he said, not offering it as a suggestion. "Lyra will take the carriage with Nira."
Before she could protest, he extended his hand toward her.
She blinked up at him. "I can—"
"You won't," he replied, his tone firm but not unkind. "This way, I can teach you riding. Lyra mentioned you wanted to learn."
Ayesha hesitated, then exhaled softly and placed her hand in his. He helped her onto the horse, then mounted behind her.
She stiffened the moment his arms caged her in. The warmth of his chest pressed lightly against her back, steady and unbothered, unlike the chaotic thrum of her own heart.
'Why does this feel more dangerous than running into rogues?' she thought, cheeks heating rapidly. She was just grateful he couldn't see her face.
She inwardly groaned. 'It's your fault,' she snapped at her inner wolf.
