Semras stumbled back at the kelpie’s proximity. Sweat ran down her spine.
Sensing her fear, the fey creature darted its void-like pupils to her. It let out a rare neigh, splitting its mouth far too wide, showing teeth going far too deeply down its throat.
Her gelding grew agitated. The smaller horse pawed and huffed and tried to rip Themas’ grip from its reins. Panicked, Semras staggered back, her attention jumping between the gelding and the half-fey.
Velten looked pensively at her, and she hid her anxiety beneath a thin smile. Old Crone willing, her drawn face would inspire his clemency. “… It’s my fault.” Even to her own ears, her voice sounded too shrill.
Scowling, Velten dismounted and walked toward her. “Your fault?” he asked as he drew closer.
“I-I don’t know how to climb onto the saddle alone, and I’m still a little sore from—”
The inquisitor grabbed her waist, and Semras yelped as he unceremoniously threw her over his shoulder.
“Let me down!” Legs kicking, she pounded her fists over his back. “Velten! Let me down right now or I’ll—!”
“Silence.” Velten dropped her next to his stallion.
Semras faced him, eyes glowering. A blazing flush spread all over her face. “What do you think you’re—”
With a smirk, the inquisitor grabbed her waist once more and lifted her atop his steed. The ominous creature snorted, but didn’t protest the additional weight.
Feet dangling far too high above the ground, Semras clutched the pommel with all her might. It wasn’t very efficient—the inquisitor had sat her with both legs on the same side of the horse’s flank. The saddle wasn’t made for sidesaddle riding, and she felt as if she’d fall to her death at any moment—if the fey didn’t decide to kill her first.
The inquisitor glanced behind him. “Maldoza, take care of her gelding.”
Themas bowed with a stoic expression. Only a twitch of his jaw betrayed his true feelings.
After mounting his horse, Velten settled right behind her. His hands snaked around her waist to grab the reins. “We depart!” he declared at large.
The stallion moved beneath her before Semras had time to register it. Fearful, she threw her arms around the closest thing she could grab and closed her eyes. A hand fell on her back, holding her safe.
Seconds later, realizing that she hadn’t—and wouldn’t—fall under stomping hooves, Semras opened her eyes and then groaned.
The damn smirk of Inquisitor Velten greeted her. “Hold on tight, witch. This will be a long ride.” Then he pressed his horse to speed up, and she tightened her hold around him reflexively.
“You’re doing this on purpose!”
A thunder of hooves hit the ground behind them, drowning out any other noises.
Velten dropped his face to her ear. “Perhaps. But I am still serious. Hold on to me, I will keep you safe.”
Her heartbeat pounded in her chest. ‘And who’s keeping me safe from you?’she thought sourly.
Thesoftrustlingofleaves threatened to rouse Semras from her slumber. Far above her head, wind danced through a thick canopy of branches, sending a cool breeze against her bare skin. Her shawl had partly slipped off her shoulders.
Semras shivered then snuggled closer to the radiating source of heat next to her. Her nose wrinkled. A pleasant smell was overpowering the earthy, fresh air, threatening to wake her further. Faintly, her mind registered the familiar scent: it was musk and wood essence.
A deep mortification shocked her back to reality.
Inquisitor Velten was holding her, keeping her from falling off the horse. She had dozed off to its canter and fallen asleep in his arms.
And now, she wascuddling him.
He would jeer at her once he’d notice that she was awake. Semras kept her eyes closed, desperately trying to gain more time before facing the inquisitor’s derision.
Autumn leaves crackled beneath the horse’s hooves. Their gait hit the compact soil rhythmically while birds sang joyously through the forest. So far beneath the thick canopy of trees, the shining rays of the sun couldn’t disperse the cold, lingering humidity of the air.
They had reached the Vedwoods.
