Give into that smug smile and let him escort you.

You hook your arm in his, which widens his smirk into a proud, handsome smile. Beneath his loose, roguish clothing, you feel lean, well-toned muscles and the stiff, jagged protrusion of his ribs against your side. He walks you casually back down the secluded trail you came, weaving through and over river rocks, thick roots, and brush as dextrously as yourself, all while keeping your arm securely in his.

“I’m sorry about back there,” he says, keeping his voice low even though his people are well out of earshot. “Staying a leader among my people...it’s a constant performance.”

“Is your mother like that, too?” you ask, stopping for a groundhog to skitter across the trail.

Ravi laughs. “Worse. Once, a dignitary and his troupe from the Kingdom of Strev visited from across the sea. Her welcome was an immediate challenge to the troupe’s best warrior -- a fight to the **** -- and she swore that if she lost, Snakeriver would belong to them.”

“Gods,” you say. What a reckless manuever.

“Obviously they took the chance.”

“What happened?”

“One broadsword-wielding giant, one woman two heads shorter than me. He rushed, she danced, and in a move, her swords dripped red and his head was on the floor.” Ravi shrugs. “We’re nothing if not theatrical.”

“And the dignitary?”

“I think he asked for more wine.”

“Gods,” you say again, amazed.

He smiles at you. “I hear it’s a little more quiet in the north. You certainly have the land for it.” He continues to guide you, the warmth of your movement growing where your bodies touch. He searches the forest, gold-brown eyes peaceful and relaxed. “I really wouldn’t mind, living here.”

“We have parties,” you say, “but nothing like Sankeriver. You wouldn’t miss it?”

“Not with the right company.” He smiles at you, warm and genuine. “But” -- he sighs -- “I’m afraid that for now, I must return to my people, lest they think I ran off with you for good and it’s time at last to battle for rule.” He glides out from your arm, but takes your hand, kissing it once. “See you tonight, my Lord.”

With a wink, he draws back into the shadows of the wood, and vanishes.