THREE: The Emperor’s Revenge

Kel sighed as the carriage rolled to a stop.

Calls to break for camp mingled with the neigh of halting horses outside.

"Who knew sitting all day could be so exhausting?" Kel groaned, trying to rub the small of her back.

"It's because you're not used to using these muscles," Calix chimed in, seating himself next to her.

He pushed her hands away and began pressing his own palms into her sore back.

"You tend to exercise these muscles down here more when riding a horse," the man continued, sweeping his hands down below her tailbone to indicate which part of the body he was referring to.

"Eep!" Kel gasped, blushing a little at the sudden grab of her backside. "I get it, so either massage my back or knock it off!"

She didn't have to look behind her to know Calix was smiling devilishly as he obediently moved his hands back up.

"Actually, you know what?" Kel reached for the carriage door. "I don't need a massage at all!"