"What is it you fear of me?" he demanded, lowering his sword and pacing closer to her.
Surprised, she said nothing. He took a step closer. She retreated a step, regretting drawing his intensity. A'Ran compelled the sword into the ground deep enough for it to remain upright when he released it. He leaned forward and took her sword, driving it into the ground as well.
"Are we doing training forms?" she asked as he returned his dark stare to her.
"No."
"We're done?" she asked.
"No."
The odd tension was between them again, and she wondered what it was about her abductor that made her blood burn, especially when he was so unapproachable.
"So," she murmured, "we're just going to stand out here and stare at each other all morning? If so, I can think of better things to do."
A'Ran's gaze swept over her, making her skin tingle with awareness.
"Well, I'm off then," she said, and turned to leave.
"Stay." The command was sharp. Kiera grimaced.
"I'm not a dog, and I want to accomplish something today," she muttered. "If you aren't going to train me and are just going to stare at me, I'm doing something else with my time."
"I leave soon." His words made her pause in the doorway, and she faced him, frowning.
"I expected you to go soon."
A'Ran moved toward her again, stopping outside of arms' reach.
"You and your duties," she added. I'm just another one of them. She stiffened at the reality and couldn't decide if it were good to keep the distance between them or if she really wanted more. If there were something more between them, would he ever entertain letting her go home?
"Travel well," she said, and turned away again.
She walked towards her quarters, uncertain why his departure bothered her. She expected to be left behind many more times. He joined her, and she glanced up at him.
"There is a feast tonight," he told her.
"Very well. What's the occasion?"
"War and our mating. The heads of the clans also in exile will come to meet you."
"Really?" She stopped to face him. He was tense again.
"I will also announce you as the supreme battle strategist. I would be honored if you chose to attend."
She searched his fierce features. She suspected both meeting the clan heads and the announcement to be big deals for a people with such rigid traditions, but A'Ran looked as if he were discussing the whereabouts of her translator.