God damned, he really thought she didn't know a single thing. Of course she knew there were bandits, and of course she knew that women were escorted. This was true even inside the city. The only reason she went anywhere alone was because there were soldiers [i]everywhere[/i]. Even then, they had not let her out of their sight until she'd learned to use both her bow and the knife she kept in her boot.

The reason she had even brought up the story was exactly this attitude. How was he ever going to act like he was in love with her when every word he said just reflected his contempt, and possibly hate for everything she stood for. It was pathetic really, how terrible it made her feel, but she'd never let him know that. So instead, Kiara lashed out at him in return.

"With the way you treat me, you'd think I was the damned devil. What have I ever done to you? Are you just pissed because I don't worship the ground you walk on? Is it because I'm a woman? Or is it because I'm a woman with higher authority than you. You know what, I think I've got it." Here she leaned closer to him, her voice low and seductive, as if she were sharing a secret with him. "It's because I'm a woman who doesn't want to fall into bed with you."