Lia swung around the next corner and caught Lord Brandon wrestling with Neve’s war horse. Alastor reared back and kicked at the soldier. Brandon cursed and struck the horse with a switch, just managing to stay out of reach of Alastor’s sharp teeth.
“Bloody beast, you will calm and let me ride you, or you will die.”
Fury ignited inside Dahlia. Those who hurt women, children, and helpless animals were the lowest of the low.
She whistled for Serenity and pointed at the lord. Theastrylledove. She stormed toward the pathetic human, ready to tear him limb from him. Brandon caught sight of her, his face turning an ugly shade of purple.
“You,” he hissed. “This is all your doing.”
“No, but that is,” she replied coldly, glancing upward.
Brandon tipped his head back just as Serenity struck, her talons sinking into his face. He never stood a chance. The lord shrieked and dropped to the ground, releasing Alastor’s reins in the process.
“That’s enough, pretty girl,” she murmured to the feathered beastie.
Serenity hooted and launched into sky, churning the air with her massive wingspan. Lia edged around the sobbing human and approached the war horse with her hands held out. The mount prance in place, tossing its head, its sharp teeth on display.
“It’s okay, beautiful boy,” she said, softly. “It’s just me.”
Dahlia gathered the end of his reins and slowly approached. He snuffled her hand before bumping her in the shoulder with his snout. She ran a hand down his silky neck, a small growl escaping her. His hind quarters had several welts.
“I’m so sorry. You should have bitten his hand off,” she whispered. “Shall we leave this horrid place?”
A little flicker of hope ignited in her chest. She was going to make it out of this. She’d see Cosmos and Loshika off to their new lives. Home was so close.
Screams cut through the air.
Very female screams.
Dahlia closed her eyes, the sound echoing in her ears.
She could leave them to the mayhem. No one would ever know. What was one bard to an army of enraged, starving soldiers?
They think you’re the princess. Do something.
Her fingers tightened on the reins before she dropped them and paced to a smoldering fire between the tents. She ran a hand over her mouth. What would she even say? Would they listen or blame her for Randa’s and Allium’s crimes and lies?
Another terrified scream. One that sounded too much like Lo.
She touched the pendant at her throat and knelt by the fire.
Be strong. Become themizareth.
Lia dipped her fingers into the ash. She swiped the kohl along her forehead, temple, and cheek, creating the rough shape of a wing.
She was amizareth. Her wings might be a little scorched, but she could keep going.
Filled with determination, she stood and prowled toward Alastor. She took his reins once again. “Let’s cause some trouble before we go home, shall we?” she murmured to the beastie.
Dahlia eyed the extremely tall horse. The problem was how she was supposed to get onto his back. He was impossibly big. There was no way she’d be able to climb onto him without help. The stirrup was shoulder level forqovvingsakes.
As if he could hear her thoughts, Alastor whickered and bowed. She stared wide-eyed at the fearsome black beast who prostrated himself so she could climb onto his back. Lia rubbed his pointed ear and hauled herself into the saddle. She held on for dear life when he straightened, no longer able to touch the ground.
She glanced north where the Frost King was waiting. “I’m sorry,” she said in a hushed tone, before whirling Alastor around, racing toward the sounds of distress.
Chapter Forty
Neve
