A pulse of pain stabbed through my leg at the mention of the beast, and I almost nodded in agreement with Serrina.
“Yes, well, we are on the hunt for a cure, and it just may be that we find it,” the king said. “In which case, I would prefer if my father were left from any further harm. Perhaps he can be saved.”
Serrina’s face betrayed nothing as she bowed low to the king. Blonde dreadlocks cascaded past her shoulders, brushing the hay-strewn floor of the stable. “I shall try, but if it proves impossible?”
“You must ensure the protection of my city, my people, above all else. Especially the protection and care of Aldaar.” The king nodded.
At the mention of the young elf, even the stony facade of the female’s face cracked. “I will protect him with my life.”
The King nodded in dismissal, placing a kind hand on her shoulder. “Thank you.”
Thank you?The words caught me off guard. What kind of king thanked their guard for performing their duties? Serrina left the stable in several long strides, not even deigning to shoot me an angry glare as she left. Perhaps I was no longer worth the effort, seeing as she had bigger monsters to face—ones with long sharp pointy teeth that slinked around like shadows in the mist.
Elden brushed a hand down the black mare’s side and let out a deep breath. He already seemed so exhausted, and our journey had yet to begin.
“You think there is hope for your father?” I asked in the stillness of the stable, the nickering of the horses the only other sound.
“I must.” Elden’s deep voice all but cracked on the last word. “I seek the cure, not only for my people, but for my father as well. Perhaps he will get the redemption he deserves for his part.”
I didn’t quite understand what that meant, but I didn’t push any farther. Elden already knew I wasn’t his father’s biggest fan.
“This will be your mount.” Elden indicated the magnificent chestnut mare beside his great black horse. “Her name is Sapphire.”
I grimaced and ran a tentative hand down Sapphire’s mane, marveling at her brilliant blue eyes, no doubt the inspiration for her lovely name. Though my stomach dropped in surprise at the sheer enormity of her. “Are you sure there isn’t a nice, safe pony I could ride instead?”
“Sapphire and Braddock are the fastest in the kingdom, and where we are going, speed will be our greatest ally.”
“And what of safety?” My cheeks heated. “I’m not exactly comfortable on horseback.”
Elden cocked his head. “Surely you have ridden before?”
“Does a pony at the village fair count?” I winced.
Elden affixed my very full enchanted saddle bags onto Sapphire’s back and offered a hand. “We will go slow at first, Little Baker. Sapphire knows the roads outside the castle gates. But be wary. We must ride through the night. I’ll not want any gossip about our little human baker sneaking off with a roguish figure in the night reaching the lips of my kingdom.”
Elden smiled at that, “Or that the roguish figure could be the king in disguise.”
I raised an eyebrow even as warmth spread through my squirrelly stomach. “Probably a good idea.”
Elden held out a hand to assist me. I raised my head high, swatting his offered hand away. “I may not be a great rider, but I am perfectly capable of climbing into a saddle.”
I grunted and tugged at the beast’s reigns, struggling to reach my foot into the tall stirrup. My enormous jacket and boots didn’t help, though I was thankful for the long pant-like stockings and tunic of my traveling clothes that allowed more freedom of movement. I couldn’t imagine trying to straddle a horse in one of Saphronia’s gowns. “But I am not used to horses the size of dragons.”
Sapphire was enormous, at least twenty-one hands tall, though Elden’s inky mount was easily taller than even Sapphire.
“Allow me,” Elden bit down on his smirk, which looked so at odds with his ethereal beauty.
Elden closed the distance between us in a few long strides, then his hands were on my waist. My breath caught in my throat as he looked down at me with his molten gold eyes. Then, Elden hoisted me into the saddle as easily as hauling a sack of flour.
“Woah!” I called out, but was in the saddle faster than I had time to let the squeal escape. My face burned as I looked down at where Elden stared up at me, almost the same height now that I was atop a great large animal.
“I was doing perfectly fine on my own.” I cleared my throat.
His hands had felt so strong, so sure on my waist. The echo of a burn remained through my heavy coat where his hands had been mere moments before.
Elden’s answering side-smile sent my heart soaring. “Of course.”
He then strode over to his own horse and hopped into the saddle in one smooth motion. “We have a long ride ahead of us. We will start slow. Follow me.”
