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all of God’s creation, did you learn to ride like that?”
    She smiled brightly, her eyes as green as the grass of the meadow.  “My brother wasn’t nearly as mean as my father.  He taught me a few tricks here and there.”
    So that’s why she rode with such skill.  A knight had to be able to control his mount without his hands, using his legs and seat.  His admiration for her levered up a few notches.
    She frowned, looking past him at the road that continued into the woods.  “Where does that go?”
    “It wanders a bit, stopping at an offshoot of the Severn and a nice little glade.”  He paused, his smile growing.  “It’s actually quite beautiful.  Would you like to see it?”
    “I’d love to Talon.”
    “But you have to promise me one thing.  No more races unless I actually agree to them before you take off.”
    She gave him an adorable little pout then sighed.  “Very well, if you insist.”
    “I do.”
    They waited for his knights to catch up then Talon led her into the forest.
    The road ended at the edge of a wide but shallow stream.  The glade stretched around them, littered with a few large gray boulders, and carpeted with thick grass.  The giant oaks and smaller ash trees grew so thick they offered a dense canopy overhead.  Streams of golden sunshine cascaded through the leaves.  Patches of blooming lavender added even more color and filled the air with a soothing fragrance.
    Talon inhaled deeply and dismounted, wondering why he had stayed away so long.  He led his mount to the stream to drink.
    “Oh Talon,” Gwen whispered, her voice soft with reverence.  “It’s beautiful.”
    He glanced over his shoulder and shot a grin at her.
    Her eyes were wide as she stared.  “It’s so perfect.”
    His smile faded slightly.  “Perfect?”
    She dismounted before he had a chance to help her.  Abruptly she walked away from him, approaching Aaron instead.
    Talon’s humor vanished instantly.  His eyes narrowed as Gwen spoke softly to Aaron.  Was there something he was not aware of?  His lip curled slightly and his hands tightened into fists.  Aaron was his knight, the highest ranking baron in his earldom and his same age.  Talon relied heavily on him.  Marcus was Talon’s second in command when it came to Montgomery, but when it came to battle, Aaron was his man.
    “Aye lady,” Aaron said, a soft laugh rumbling through him.  He winked at her.
    Fury shot through Talon, blinding him for an instant but also startling him with its intensity.
    Suddenly Aaron turned his mount and led his men away.
    Talon spluttered, trying to regain some control of his rage.  “Where are you going?” he snarled.
    “Worry not, my lord,” Aaron said as he glanced over his shoulder.  “We are going to spread out and scout the area.  Just to make certain there is no danger to you or your lady.”
    All right, Talon’s mind agreed.  Scouting is good.   Suddenly he blinked.  “ My lady?” he roared.
    Aaron simply laughed and waved at him, the men vanishing into the trees.
    He saw Gwen trying to stifle a laugh, gazing at him with a peculiar glint in her eyes.
    What the hell was going on?
    She moved to her horse and pulled a large blanket out of her saddle pack then spread it on the ground.
    Talon’s jaw went slack as he watched her.
    Gwen returned to her bags and pulled out a loaf of bread, cheese, and wine.
    Sheer terror shot through him.  “Aaron, get back here now!”
    No answer, no movement in the trees.
    “Aaron!” he bellowed.  “If you do not come back now I will confiscate all of your lands.”
    The only thing he heard was Gwen giggling.
    “Do I not have control of my own men anymore?”
    “Now, Talon,” Gwen said reprovingly.  “They are only seeing to your safety and making sure there is no danger to you in these woods.”
    He yanked his horse from the stream and stalked toward her until he towered over her and she had to crane her neck to look up at him.  But she did not