The world seemed to stand still to Kiara's words, though Ostus' mind was a chaotic frenzy. There was something very sexy about Kiara whispering in his ear; she had a very nice bedroom voice. What she said, however, was not sexy at all, and had turned his opinion of her voice completely against him. He blushed in spite of himself, even as he glowered.

Ostus turned his head to send her a scathing glare, his storm-grey eyes flashing with charged anger. "Perhaps my opinion of you stems from the way you treat me," he growled in a low voice. "You talk to me like I'm an idiot guard, you doubt my capability to protect you from the get-go. You will be no safer with anyone else than you will with me, yet you twist even that into a hostile environment. If I--"

"How can I help you?" A middle-aged man smiled at the pair; Ostus had forgotten that they were in the stables. The horses stared calmly at them from their stalls.

Ostus snapped to attention, sending a beaming smile. "My wife and I are looking for a couple of horses," he said. "We're newlyweds hoping to set our roots in a small, quiet town." He curled an arm around Kiara for emphasis, pulling her to his side, his smile seemingly frozen in place. "Isn't that right, love?" He turned his fake smile in her direction.

"Well, I've got several sturdy horses available -- for the right fee, of course."