Chapter 31

Maxi felt as if a pail of ice water had been upended over her. Mortified, she tried to break free from Riftan's crushing embrace, and for a moment, he refused to budge.

As soon as he reluctantly drew his lips away from hers, Maxi pulled back. Her face burned as if scorched by the sun. Though she wanted nothing more than to flee, her legs felt too weak to fully support her. She was frantically glancing back and forth between Riftan and Ruth, struggling for words, when the sorcerer spoke.

"I-I didn't mean to interrupt! Please, carry on! Don't mind me!"

He spun on his heels and promptly tripped over a tree root, emitting a strange yelp as he tumbled into the dirt. Riftan eyed the pathetic sight of the sorcerer heaped on the ground with a stony expression. He clicked his tongue and got up, and Talon followed his master to his feet.

Stroking the warhorse's thick neck, Riftan asked, "What is it?"