They rode for hours.
The further they went south, the less familiar everything looked to Eliora. The cold air of Volkar had reduced slightly, though it was still cool enough to nip at her skin. The trees here were taller, thicker, their branches forming shadows across the road.
At first, Eliora had tried to sit properly, like someone who actually knew how to ride a horse. But after hours of bouncing on the saddle, all dignity was gone.
By the time the sun began dipping, her body ached badly. Her thighs hurt, and her back hurt.
Even her shoulders hurt from trying not to lean too much on Zarek.
Though that had lasted barely thirty minutes. Now she was leaning fully against him, too tired to pretend otherwise.
Zarek didn't complain. If anything, his arm had shifted more comfortably around her waist at some point. She noticed how touchy he was, and weirdly, she enjoyed it.
The horse slowed as the path narrowed. Zarek lowered his head a little so his voice reached her ear.
