Xavier’s horse followed close behind.
Then Rummy’s.
There was no way in all hells I was letting those bastards catch us.
“There’s too many of them!” Rummy shouted from behind. “We’ll never be able to outrun them!”
I pushed my horse to her limits, leaning forward in the saddle and using everything I had. Forward. Forward. Forward.
But my heightened senses were all too aware of how close those damn footsteps were getting.
“Is the king with them?” I shouted over my shoulder.
After two seconds, Xavier responded, “Not that I can see. Eight soldiers, maybe ten, but no king!”
“Keep going,” I ordered. “Their horses will tire before ours.” The other choice was standing and fighting. Three against ten? I wouldn’t risk it. Not when so much was at stake.
They wanted Rummy’s power. They would do anything to get it back.
I wasn’t about to let that happen.
Our horses sprinted through the foliage, breaking branches and jumping over bushes every few feet. We maneuvered as swiftly as possible, and nobody said another word as we let the horses run.
And run.
And run.
“This way!” I ordered. I veered to the left as quickly as possible, and the two behind me followed at my heels. The group chasing us had fallen behind just enough, we were just outside the line of sight.
We could do this.
My heart raced like a wild animal in my chest. I had been at war before. I had fought in battle. But nothing made me as terrified as this.
“Faster,” I hissed. Our horses panted. Our lungs screamed.
The forest was growing thicker as we maneuvered farther, the path becoming difficult for the large animals to persevere. My arms and face stung with small cuts from the surrounding branches.
With my heart in my chest, I pulled back on the reins and slowed my horse.
“What are you doing?” Xavier asked. “They’re right behind us!”
“They’ll continue running straight ahead. They won’t think to change course in this direction. Not if we are quiet.”
“And if you’re wrong?” Rummy asked. Her hair was wild and in disarray, her wind-blown clothes hanging loosely over her body.
“If I’m wrong, then we’re all dead. Anyone have a better idea?”
The two were quiet.
“Good. Then keep your horses calm. They’ll be passing us any second now.”
They both brought their horses up on either side of me. Together, we waited.
And then we heard them. The three of us stopped breathing as the charging group of soldiers approached. I squeezed the reins of my horse until my hands blistered, and one glance told me Xavier was doing the same.
But Rummy? Rummy didn’t look the slightest bit nervous at the impeding enemy’s arrival.
No, she looked pissed.
