Jorghan walked toward the riverbank with Sarhita at his side, neither speaking as the weight of what was coming pressed down on them both.
Jorghan turned slowly toward her, his expression darkening. "You have got to be joking," he muttered, stepping closer so only she could hear. "Mated? You just painted a target on my back the size of this damned mountain."
She met his glare without flinching. "If I hadn't, they would have killed you where you stood. You think they'd just let a stranger walk in after killing their hunters?"
"I didn't need you to protect me," he snapped.
"I had it under control."
Sarhita laughed bitterly. "Under control? You were surrounded by his clans. You'd be ash by now."
"I've faced worse," Jorghan growled.
"You don't speak for me. And you sure as hell don't claim me."
"And you just used me to stop your marriage and your father's slavery.
You should have at least told us before we came here."
