Sorik the Centaur (special preview)

I flinch, worrying I’ve said or done something. “Excuse me?”

“I haven’t gotten to where I am by relying on anything other than my own skill set,” she replies. “I have dealt with overbearing, disgusting male egos all my life. I don’t plan on working with anymore since I have the choice.”

I shake my head. “I need you, Sayuri,” I tell her. “I am not ashamed to admit that. I will make sure that you are not offended, and if anyone does they have my hooves to deal with.”

She smirks at me. “I don’t need you protection either.” She reaches into her blouse and removes a dagger that she stabs into the table. “Sorik,” she laces her fingers under her chin. “Don’t think of me as a woman. Think of me as your equal in this venture. I will be the brain to match your impressive braun. I will make you Demir’s most need ally. Understood?”

I swallow and nod. “Yes, of course.”

Sayuri takes the dagger out of the table and slips it back into place under her shirt. “Eat,” she motions to the food. “You need to eat!”

I quickly make myself a plate. Sayuri makes me unbearably nervous but at the same time, I enjoy it.

The day starts out by showing Sayuri the construction of my house and then the plans for the unifying road. Without a word, she takes over. She redesigns the plans for the house as well as writing down notes all over the map for the Unifying Road. She takes command like a King, but she reigns the men like a Queen. 

In her first week of working for me, the house is starting to take shape and rise from the ground. The road is getting underway and we’re visiting the next town over to present gifts to the leaders.

Sayuri rides on my back, rather than taking the comfortable carriage. This makes me extremely anxious. She’s touching me, riding me. I can smell her and it’s making my head swim with thoughts.

She touches my hair and I shiver. Her fingers caress the nape of the neck and my knees go weak.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“You have lovely hair,” Sayuri replies as she undoes the braid. “Do all centaurs have such thick hair like this?”