The cold air pinkened her pale skin, adding a bright flush to her cheeks. She stared at him with her large, green eyes, and the pain of the ator faded away. He took a deep breath. The air between them smelled like warm spice. He cocked his head to the side. "My men have orders. Why are you impeding their progress?" She blinked up at him. He watched her glance both ways, and lick her lips. "I..." She swallowed hard. "Remove yourself from their path." Her eyes locked on his. She raised her chin. "No." He vaguely noticed his men moving away. He took a step toward her. "Are you defying me?" A combination of anger and bemusement burned in his stomach. She stared at him. "No." He shook his head.
