Oh shit! They knew I was a bitch.
I turned quickly forward again, chanting, “Shit, shit, shit.”
“Cora –”
“Stop,” I demanded.
“Pardon?”
“Stop!” I shouted.
Tor pulled back on the reins, Salem stopped then turned his head to look at us and a groggy Aggie chirped a “What’s happening?”
I didn’t answer the bird. I was trying to think.
“Love, it’ll be fine,” Tor assured me.
“I need to, I don’t know, brush my hair and, um,” I lifted my hand and started pinching my cheeks, “um…” I repeated.
I didn’t know!
“Cora, look at me,” Tor commanded and I did. “It will be fine.”
“They think I’m a bitch,” I reminded him.
“No, they don’t. The people don’t know you. You’ve been here once. I will admit, you didn’t make a good impression…” Fabulous. “But you were simply haughty, a bit cold the short time you were here. They don’t think much of anything except that you aren’t around.” He paused. “Now my men…” he trailed off.
Oh boy.
“What have I done to your men?”
He looked in my eyes. “Nothing, except the fact you refuse to warm my bed. Something they haven’t missed nor do they like, considering half my soul is yours. They’re loyal to me and wish me contentment.”
Great. Freaking great. His warriors hated me because I was a cold bitch who made her man search for it elsewhere.
Brilliant.
I turned forward again and Tor called my name again.
“No,” I said, not turning back. “I’m okay. This’ll be fine. Just fine.”
Total lie.
I was freaking out!
“Love, look at me,” he urged.
“No,” I denied. “Let’s just get this over with.”
He paused then he sighed then he stated, “Cora, just be this you and they’ll change their minds. If you’re this woman, they won’t be able to stop themselves from falling in love with you.”
I stared straight ahead but I could see nothing, I could only feel his words wash over me.
Yes, feel them.
And oh, but they felt good.
Oh man.