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She beamed at him, filled with relief. He had finally come around. “Thank you, brother. I would like your help in choosing the warriors to come with me,” she said. “We must choose those who support our aims, but I am wary about leaving those who disagree behind without a strong leader to prevent them from spreading dissent.”

He pursed his lips. “Gan is still making trouble, isn’t he?”

She nodded. Though he hadn’t been vocal in front of her, others had told stories of the lies he was spreading.

“I’ll have another word with him.”

“Thank you.” She hugged him. Now he had given her support, she knew what to do. “I will leave you in charge when I go to the mountains. You will be able to temper disputes and ensure my wishes are carried out.”

Amar smiled. “I’d be honoured.” He left, disappearing into the darkness between the yurts.

“Do you truly trust him?”

Shuree jumped at Dagar’s voice and turned to find him waiting beside her door. She placed a hand over her rapidly beating heart. “I do. Can I help you with something?”

“I have seen Amar speaking with Gan and it does not appear as if they are arguing. It surprised me he didn’t defend your honour more when Gan insulted you.”

“I can defend my own honour.”

“And yet it is also a man’s duty to defend those in his family.” He stepped closer. “If I wasn’t aware of how tenuous the trust is between our people, I would have beaten him until he had no more teeth.”

In the light shining through her open door, his eyes were dark, anger simmering in them. A shiver went through her. He could be a very dangerous man. “I am not your family.”

The intensity in his gaze took her breath away. “You are my hope… my people’s hope for a better future.”

She stepped closer, drawn to him. “Do you believe we can achieve what we want?”

He nodded and brushed a stray hair from her face. “There is something about you… I’ve not seen it before. Every khan in there let you lead the discussion, showed you utmost respect even though you are female and the first female khan any of the tribes has had in living memory. You inspire confidence and trust.”

Pleasure and embarrassment swept through her and she glanced at her feet. “I was merely foolish enough to try something different.”

Dagar lifted her chin. “I have spoken with the warriors who came with their khans. They all told the same story. The moment the women of their tribes heard what you had proposed, they all stood in support of you. In the Horkham tribe, the women stopped cooking and cleaning for the men, and wives wouldn’t sleep with their husbands until they took your proposal seriously.”

The feeling of his warm touch lingered on her chin. He was seducing her with his words.

No, she couldn’t let it go to her head. Other tribes may not agree.

“Let’s hope I can inspire the same in the remaining tribes.” She stepped back, forced a smile. “I must get some sleep, so if there’s nothing else you want?” She lifted her brows, waiting for his answer.

“Just one thing.” He pulled her close and his warm lips covered hers.