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gripped her around the waist. Despite her determination to be unaffected by him, his near-ness sent waves of dizziness through her, his fingers burning her skin through the layers of clothes.
    He seemed to be unaware as he lifted her easily and tossed her into the saddle. Taking hold of her foot, he slipped it in the stirrup, then moved around the horse to do the same with her other. He stood with his hand wrapped around her ankle, and she resisted the urge to shake it off. Once she had Shayla safe, she would rid herself of the warlock. Maybe permanently.
    “Don’t try and guide her,” he said. “She’ll follow my mount.” He dropped his hand and moved away. He swung into the saddle with ease and brought his horse around to face her. “Where are we headed?”
    Freya debated how much to tell him, but she needed his help.
    “Head directly north until we hit the river.”
    “How do you know she’ll be there?”
    “I don’t. I just hope. It’s where we were going before the Enforcer found us. We split up, but I think Shayla will keep to the original plan.
    She’ll expect me to meet her there.”
    “Where were you going? Why risk coming so close to the Keep?
    You’ve remained hidden for over twenty years—this seems foolish.” Anger flashed through her. “We had no choice. It was becoming impossible to hide. When Shayla was younger, it was easy. But this last year...”
    “What changed?”
    “The witches’ mark.” She raised her hand to her cheek and stroked the spot on her right cheekbone. “Here, for all to see.” A tingle ran through her skin, and she frowned.
    “Malachi told me there had been reports. That’s why Tallon was sent after you.”
    “We heard that there was a place where we could get help—”
    “What sort of help?” he interrupted.
    “I’m not sure, but there are rumors of other witches over the years.
    And a place they could go for sanctuary.”
    “Maybe it was a lie to draw you in.” She shrugged. “Maybe, but we were desperate. And now, I don’t know where else she might go.”
    “Okay. We’ll go fast, tell me if you have trouble keeping up.” And then he was gone. The little mare bounded after him, and Freya clung on to the saddle. But after a few minutes, she got the feel of the horse and settled into the rhythm, concentrating on avoiding any low branches.
    Even so, by the time Jarrod slowed in front of her, every muscle ached from the unaccustomed exercise, and she drooped from exhaustion. Jarrod appeared at ease in the saddle, one hand on the reins, the other still holding his staff.
    “Are you okay?” he asked.
    Freya wiped the expression from her face. She would not appear weak in front of him. “I’m fine.”
    “The river,” he said, nodding to the wide expanse of dark water that cut through the forest. “How much further?”
    “We need to cross, then another hour, I think. I was told it would be three or four on foot, but we’re traveling much faster.” She glanced up at the sky. The pale violet was shading to purple as the suns went down. They would set soon. “Will the horses travel at night?”
    “Yes. Let me go first, see how deep the water is. If the horses have to swim, then hold onto the front of the saddle.” He considered her for a moment. “You might want to take off your clothes, roll them into a bundle, keep them dry. The warmth will go with the suns.” He made no move to take off his own clothes—maybe he thought she’d be shocked. It would take more than a naked warlock to shock her, but if he could put up with wet clothes then so could she. “I think I’ll keep them on, thank you.”
    He shrugged and swung his mount around, urging it down the bank and into the water. The river was deeper than it appeared, and the horse’s head disappeared for a moment then rose above the surface, shaking off the water. Jarrod glanced back over his shoulder.
    “Come.”
    She took a deep breath and urged the little mare forward. She went