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“That’s not necessary,” I hurry to say. The last thing I need is to see Asel again, this time in my home.

But the governor doesn’t hear my response. He’s begun assisting his husband with apologizing to the other guests as they leave through the doors.

Asel stomps toward us. “This isn’t over. You’re going to regret this.”

“Go run to your fathers. Sounds like you’re about to get a scolding,” Temra says smugly.

I grab her arm so we can depart.

Our horse, Reya, is waiting for us in the stables. I breathe in the smell of her cool hide, forcing my thoughts to the here and now. To safety. Temra bought our mare a few years ago so she could ride into the city more quickly for her lessons, though I’ve seen her saddle the horse a few times at night to sneak off to meet boys, which resulted in me revoking her horse-riding privileges from time to time.

Wordlessly we saddle Reya. Temra tells the eager stable hand to leave us be as she tightens the girth. Meanwhile I strap on her bridle.

We hoist ourselves up. I let Temra take the reins and position herself up front, while I climb on behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and lean my forehead against the back of her neck.

We trot out into the night, then adjust to a walk when the governor’s estate is far behind us.

Temra taps a finger against one of my hands. “Tell me what happened?” The question gives me room to refuse, but I want to tell her everything.

“He was so nice at first, and then he tried to…”

“To…?” she prompts.

My thoughts take a dive. I was forced to attend aparty. Asel tried to kiss me. He dared to lie to his father when I refused him. He caused that big scene. There were so many eyes on me. He threatened us before we left. What more does he intend to do?

Over and over again, I see his lips puckering, his affronted look of confusion when I didn’t want to touch him. Because he expectseveryoneto want him. And then he pitches fits when he doesn’t get what he wants.

Just like that, I’m angry again.

“The governor said it would be a small affair. Just a dinner, not a party. I wasn’t able to properly prepare myself for that event.” My voice rises to a near shriek. “And then he has the nerve to sic his son on me! Because, what? He thinks it’ll make himself look better politically to be connected to me?”

“I think he just wanted you to meet his son. He couldn’t have anticipated that Asel would—”

“And then Asel hasthe nerveto try to kiss me. Just because he made me laugh. He thinks that entitles him to a reward. Well, I have news for him. He’s not as attractive as he thinks he is! In fact, his shallowness would rival a dog’s piss puddle!”

The horse nearly comes to a stop as Temra’s grip on the reins tightens. “He tried to kiss you? And what else?”

“What do you mean,what else? That’s what he did. That’s what happened. He tried to kiss me, and I told him no. Then he got angry and stormed off.”

“You’re telling me that boy made a big scene over a kiss! I thought he tried to assault you or something.”

“Hedidtry to assault me. He tried to assault me with his lips.”

I’m staring at the back of her head. I wish I could see her expression. But when she starts shaking with laughter, I can imagine it perfectly.

“I love you, Ziva,” she says once she gets her giggling under control.

“I love you, too.”

CHAPTER

FOUR

It takes me a whole day to convince myself that Asel’s threat was empty.

Then Temra comes home from school in tears.

“What happened?” I ask.