You had almost broken his nose last night.

If you'd aimed just a little higher—You think about that now, as you ride beside him again, hands bound to the saddle, reins knotted out of reach. The bastard had smiled then, but no worries. Next time, you’ll do better.

He hasn't said a word in hours. Neither have you.

He doesn’t look like a typical Verdan barbarian. That’s what you’d expected. Something unwashed. Monstrous. But Kaden is clean. Except for the fresh cut across his jaw, a gift from your knife that night when he and his group of Verdan assassins have kidnapped you from the Kingdom of Civica.

“You’re not throwing a fit today?” he finally says.

You don’t answer. He deserves none of your words. But Eben, boy riding just behind, the only other person of these 7 Verdan barbarians that can speak your tongue, chuckles. “She’s planning something.”

Kaden’s gaze cuts to yours. “You planning to kill me again, Your Highness?”

Your lip curls. “Yes. But next time I’ll do it right.”

He actually chuckles. “Good. It’d be a dull ride otherwise.”

Bastard. When he caught you after your last escape, his breath had rasped against your ear: “Run again, and I’ll tie you to my saddle.”

You hadn’t in two days. But you will try again. After all, according to Kaden, there are around seven more weeks until you reach Verda...