Chapter 96

Rhobart growled, and Ayla swallowed hard. “You think I can’t tell you are lying? Is it because of your magic? If that’s so, then I am going to forbid you to use it!”

Kerra hissed at Rhobart, and it sounded like a warning.

While Ayla knew Rhobart was right, she could not let another man dictate the way she lived her life. She thought he was different, but in the end, he was like all men—controlling.

She had been controlled all her life. No more!

Ayla stared into his eyes. “Why do men always want to control me? First was my father, then Galian. Now you!”

Rhobart opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. He looked at her for long moments. She regretted her words the moment they came out of her mouth. Rhobart had never tried to control her, if anything, he pushed her to do things—like riding, traveling around Nordmar, teaching her how to use a dagger, and many other things.

His eyes turned to steel. “Why the fuck do you keep comparing me to them? That’s what you real