Page 9 of Oath of Rebellion

"That's a good name. Nice to meet you, Ryder," Eirwyn leaned over and pet the mane of the brown horse. Then she frowned and turned back to face him, their noses barely inches away as she stared up at him.

"And what's your name?" Damn, was that really her voice so soft and breathless? He was going to think she was a ninny, flirting like that.

His eyes widened, and he jerked away from her, turning his head and staring at her from the side of his eyes. "Don't get too close. Turn around."

Her jaw dropped at the command, and her back stiffened. She pointed a finger at him, which was awkward with how she was half-turned in the saddle to better see his features up close.

He had a strong, straight nose that was covered in freckles. She blinked, surprised by all the freckles. Even his forehead had freckles. His chin was covered in a five o'clock shadow of brown hair.

Those green eyes though... they were more beautiful than emeralds. There was something about them that drew her in, and she tried to lean closer.

Then he eased his hold on the reins, grabbed her hips, and scowled as he leaned further away from her.

"By the gods, stop wiggling, Princess."

Her eyes widened as she realized. "Light, that's not your knife, is it?"

His lips thinned as he glared at her. "No, it's not, and if you'd stop wiggling, I'd appreciate it."

She wiggled more, her grin growing. "But this feels so nice. My, that's quite a large knife you have, isn't it. Does it cut well?"

He blinked at her, frowning. She tilted her head and waited. Any other man would've been flirting right back at her, but not this guy. Why not? He obviously liked the feel of her ass riding against his dick.

He glared at her as Scarlet looked over her shoulder and laughed.

"He wouldn't know," Scarlet said with a grin.

Eirwyn's brows rose, turning to face Scarlet. "Wait, what does that mean?"

The man's growl behind her had her on full-alert as she stiffened in front of him. Scarlet just shrugged and turned back to leading them down the road.

"I still don't know your name," she pointed out, staring straight ahead as they rode. Eirwyn watched Helga to make sure she didn't fall off.

"Knox, the lumberjack." His breath tickled the back of her ear again, sending a shiver down her body.

"Knox," she whispered, leaning back against him a little. He gathered the reins, cocooning her in between his big arms.

She could feel the heat of him, but he was a standoffish man whom she was determined to become friends with. She was friends with everyone, by the light. It was anathema to think she couldn't win him over.

He wasn't her brother, after all.

She cleared her throat, determined to get to know him. "Knox, it's nice to meet you. You can call me Eirwyn."

"Princess is fine with me," he said.

She shook her head. "That won't do. When you take me into town, I will hail your name as the greatest guide and protector the forest has ever seen."

"You could've gone back to town with your guards and driver and carriage, if you'd paid the toll to the Robins like the Lone Road demands."

She frowned and stiffened, leaning forward and trying to put distance between the comforting warmth of his embrace.

"I did pay the Robins. There were three of them at the tavern in the little village just outside the forest, the one in Glathen. I paid them well for protection. They said we wouldn't see them, but they'd be watching and guarding just the same."

He snorted, careful to turn his head away from her as he did so. "You were swindled, princess."

She frowned and looked up at the trees as her mind began to grow fuzzy. "Perhaps you're right. But it stands to reason there would be Robins in that village watching the entrance of the road."

He didn't respond, and her mind wandered to the way he made her feel. She felt her skin tingle in anticipation. She loved this stage. The flirting, the build-up, the accidental caresses.

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