He spun from the table, swinging a leg over the bench as he readied the polite process of departing. Posturing oneself away from the chattier party was usually an effective method of letting them take the cue on their own. Taking another sip of his too full pint glass, he looked to Malik, who seemed just as bewildered as the men around him.

Malik had watched him go home with many a girl in the village of Stone, usually as his golden friend had stayed behind to salute appreciatively and continue playing his card games with the villagers. Tonight’s events did not track with their pattern of camaraderie.

Malik gestured to convey his confusion and moved his mouth, silently asking a single question from across the tavern.

What the hell?

Ash didn’t know how to answer. There was no way to explain it to his friend. It was a feeling. A distant one, but one he couldn’t ignore. Maybe it was because he was angry with Amaris. Maybe it was because a beseul had torn through their camp, and their white-haired friend had betrayed them, and the ale was too expensive and too sour. Maybe the reason didn’t matter.

“I wish you a safe journey on your roads, miss,” he said. Ash began to stand, but the woman clamped a hand down on his, perhaps too eagerly. He paused before rising.

“Are you going to make me finish my drink alone?” she asked, running her thumb softly over the top of his closed hand. “Don’t leave a lady unaccompanied in a place like this.”

The surge of emotions he felt was powerful. Her cinnamon scent seemed to pulse, growing stronger with each moment that passed. Her contact was electric, weakening his resolve. His blood flowed from his rational mind to somewhere else entirely.

Two wolves fought within him. One distinctly male wolf clawed at him to take her to bed, to rip her clothes off, to ravage every inch of her. He’d love nothing more than to pin this stunning creature to the wall of the inn or take her on the table right here while the patrons watched and cheered. The second wolf stood its ground. It was the cautious, lone wolf dressed for survival. It bit back the desire, nipping at the throb in his manhood, urging him to keep his wits about him.

The first wolf was loud, but the second wolf was powerful.

Out of politeness, he remained seated.

“Tell a girl about the north, would you?” she prodded. She had an incredible charm about her, as if it was a tangible aura shimmering around her. With every word that tumbled past her lips, his mouth filled with the sweet flavor of her presence.

She said, “I’ve never made it much farther into the continent than this lakeside town. It seems like a dreadfully long way to the mountains. I’d love to hear more.”