Refuse to kiss him

"I'll not kiss you with that sort of dark look on your face," you say with a smirk, before swinging your leg over the saddle and sliding off your horse.

You walk over and kiss Beren firmly on the lips. Your mouth lingers against his, feeling the warmth of him and the softness of his touch. It is only as you lean back that you realize you have done exactly what you said you were not going to do.

Beren's face is flushed red. He looks at you with that same dark expression. You touch your fingers to your lips, as if you might find something on them.

"Do you see now, sister? The sorcerers control this land. In the Capital, and perhaps along the way, you will find men of low morals. Men who will order you to do things much worse than kiss them."

"I...I didn't...how did you do that? What trick have you used?"

"Those were not stories father told us as children, Jordan," growls Beren. "Men are the masters of this land. You were in equal among your family by father's choice. Now, you... You must be ready."

Your mind reeling, you try to slow your beating heart. "Why not just command me to stay?"

Beren takes your hand and looks deeply into your eyes. "Because you are my sister, and I love you. I want you to decide your own fate."

You put your arms around his neck, pulling him into a long embrace. "...And you're not going to use that trick on me again?"

"Perhaps just once more," he says devilishly. "Give me another kiss, Jordan. Like we did all those summers ago in the loft."

You do not even try to deny it this time. You feel the compulsion and instantly you are kissing him, opening your mouth and remembering the hot sweetness of his tongue against yours. The flush in his cheeks seems to travel to your body through the connection. Your lips smack together and your tongues slip, one over the other, in a very un-brotherly manner.

At last, Beren pulls his glistening lips away, leaving you breathless. "Shall I give you another command, my sister?" he asks, his voice very quiet and serious.

Your heart beats wildly. You know you should not travel this path, particularly with your own brother here on the cart road. Your mind is decided, but your body craves more. Your brother seems to decide that matter for you.

"I know just what to command," says Beren.