~ ERIK ~
The horses were blowing and steaming when we arrived, so it took some time to cool them down and brush the sweat from their coats, feed them and bed them down in the simple stables for the night.
Then Emory picked up her bag and started out of the stable, towards the cottage.
I caught her hand as she passed me, pulling her to a halt.
Her hood was down so her hair flew wide in a red swath as she instinctively whirled to face me, her body tense for a moment before she remembered it was me who'd touched her.
I remained still for a moment until the shock had passed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," I said quietly.
"You didn't," she said quickly, then bit her lip.
