Kaia awoke the next dawn before Zahir came to wake her. She sat up stretching, her entire body sore from the long ride and uncomfortable seating arrangement, and looked around for him. A flash of panic struck her when she didn’t immediately spot him. What would she do if he suddenly realized it would be faster and easier to leave her behind and ride on alone. It was many days journey back to the other side of the mountains and she wouldn’t last a day in the desert, which the Ula’mor had said they were approaching. She relaxed when she finally spotted him crouched by the small stream they had set up their camp next to the previous night. He was not wearing a shirt, his wide, hairless chest with its chiseled muscles were on full display. Kaia felt her cheeks blush as she realized she w
