Relief flooded him. Thank the Light she hadn’t run away on her own. But why the hell was he worrying so much about this woman? She had nothing to do with his life. She had no part in his plan for revenge.
It didn’t matter how brave or beautiful she was. Or how much his heart had raced when he’d blown out her flame. This was a temporary snag in his plans. An interesting diversion. Nothing more.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “What took you so long?” he grumbled in Eberoni.
She avoided looking at him as she wandered over to the horses. “I needed to relieve myself.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “Good. We have a long ride ahead of us, and I don’t want to make any unnecessary stops.”
She turned toward him with a wary look. “What do ye mean long ride? Ye said it was only ten miles to the border.”
“I’ll explain as we go.” He motioned for Father Kit and Liz to leave. The priest had already mounted the third horse, while Liz remained on foot, leading the second horse, which carried the injured dragon shifter. As they headed into the forest, the Woodsman continued, “One of my skills is the ability to communicate with trees, especially the—”
“What are they doing?” Sorcha pointed at the others. “Didn’t ye say that way was south? They’re going the wrong direction!”
“Keep your voice down.”
“Are ye kidnapping us? Taking us prisoner?” She planted her fists on her hips. “I won’t have it! Ye’ll return Aleksi to me at once!” She dashed after the others, but he caught her by the arms to stop her. “Let go!”
“No yelling,” he growled as he pinned her flailing arms. Dammit, she was like wildfire, jumping to wrong conclusions.
“Release me.” She stomped on his foot, but he knew her routine from the last attack and grabbed her knee the second she raised it.
“Do you have something against my groin?” He pulled her close, and she gasped as she collided with his chest. “Will you listen to me now?” Damn, but his heart raced whenever she looked up at him with her wide green eyes.
Her gaze lingered on his mouth for a few seconds before she turned her head.
Dammit, why did she keep focusing on his mouth? It made him think about kissing her. Don’t do it! He released her and stepped back. “Now that you’ve calmed down, we can quietly discuss my plan.”
She huffed. “Who says I’m calm?”
“One can only hope.”
She gave him an incredulous look. “Ye’ve abducted my friend!”
“No. We’re taking him to a healer south of—”
“No!” She pointed at the others, who could barely be seen now. “Call them back. I want to take him to Gwen and Annika. They’re excellent healers, and they’re close by.”
“No. We cannot cross the Norveshki border.”
“Of course we can. Stop telling me no!”
“No,” he growled. “The Living Oaks told me—”
“I don’t care what a bunch of trees are saying.”
He gritted his teeth. This woman made it damned hard to retain his usual calm demeanor. “Trees don’t lie. The only place shallow enough for us to cross the river is where the battle took place earlier. The Living Oaks have warned me that the area is swarming with soldiers. The army will never anticipate that you would actually flee southward farther into Woodwyn, so that is our best course of action. Now, enough time has been wasted, so mount up. We need to go.”
Father Kit had taken the lantern with him, but there was enough light from the twin moons and a million stars to see that her pretty face was scowling at him.
“I said now.” He gave her a little shove toward the horse, and she spun around to face him.
“Ye’re being pushy again.”
He stepped closer to her. “It’s not pushiness. It’s decisiveness.”
“Ye shoved me.”
“Excuse me, Princess, for being in a hurry to save your life.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t call me princess.”
“Are you going to argue with me until they discover you’re missing?”
“Are ye going to make all the decisions without consulting me? Who put you in charge?”
With a groan of frustration, he walked over to his horse and nabbed the reins. In Elfish, he muttered under his breath, “I don’t know whether to kidnap her or kiss her.”
When she gave a small gasp, he glanced back at her. Had she understood him? This wasn’t the first time he thought he’d caught a reaction. And how did she know that he and his men had robbed the army if she didn’t understand Elfish?
She turned away, studying her boots. “I don’t mean to argue. It’s just that I’m trying to do what’s best for Aleksi. And I suddenly find myself in a position where I have to trust you, and I’m not at all sure that I can—”
“I will prove that I am trustworthy.”
She kicked at the ground. “Are ye sure it’s not safe to cross the border?”
“I’m sure. Most of the army is roaming about searching for us.”
“It’s you they’re looking for.” She lifted her chin. “I might be safer away from you.”
He scoffed. “On your own, you’ll wander around lost until you’re caught. Do you think they’ll let you go? Will they try to save your friend’s life?”
She winced.
“Your best chance for escape is with us. But if we go north, we’ll most likely be captured. You would probably survive since they consider you useful. The rest of us would be executed, including your friend.”
She glanced at him with a look of alarm. “Then I will do as ye say.”
Was that all it took? The minute she realized that others were in danger, she was willing to cooperate. “Thank you.” He gave her a small smile, and her gaze shifted once again to his mouth.
Damn. If she didn’t stop staring at him like that, he was going to give in to temptation. And that would be a disaster. Because even though she was brave and beautiful, she was completely wrong.
Her fiery temperament was a threat to his normal coolheaded demeanor. Already he felt seared at the edges. He would deliver her as quickly as possible to the Eberoni border. She would be safe with the king and queen there. And she would be far away from him.
That’s what he needed. Distance.
As she mounted easily and gracefully, swinging one of her long legs over the saddle, his breath caught in his throat. Distance? He was going to have to share the saddle with her. Her hair would brush against his chin. Each time she inhaled, he would feel it. Her well-rounded rump in those tight leather breeches would press against his groin.
Just the thought made him react. Dammit. He’d better get himself under control before it became obvious.
“How do ye wish to mount?” she asked. “Do ye want to be in front or behind?”
Now she was torturing him. “Behind.” He slid a booted foot into the stirrup and hefted himself into the saddle.
She stiffened as their bodies came into contact. When she attempted to wiggle forward, it caused her legs to rub against his thighs.
“Be still.” He wrapped an arm around her, holding her steady as he urged the horse into a quick walk.