Before long, the border came into view, the sky overhead an unyielding gray, and for one heart-stopping moment, the weight of the mission and its dangers settled heavily upon me. If I could just keep my head clear, I might get through this day without incident. Then maybe I’d feel her warmth as I fell asleep again again rather than this hollow ache.
Chapter 46
Isca
For all the good my magic did with animals, it couldn’t change their size or underlying nature. The stallion I rode was still far larger and more temperamental than the gentle mare I’d grown used to. I was slowly becoming a better rider, but I came close to falling twice while trying to balance nibbling a piece of cheese in one hand and the reins in the other.
Emrys hadn’t even needed to turn his head to know what was happening. Both times, a subtle push of magic steadied me like invisible hands, righting me and going so far as to correct my posture as well.
We reached our destination by noon. Around us, soldiers moved with practiced efficiency. Campfires sparked to life as the men started the preparations for lunch. Others unloaded crates of weapons, tethered horses, and a few passed wineskins full of drink. A hum of routine filled the air, edged with quiet exhaustion.
Still, there was tension beneath it. The land beyond our camp was not comfortable, safe Darreth—it was ever watchful Gelida now. Emrys left Catrin and me with a ring of guards for the last quarter mile.
A cart groaning under the weight of its cargo pulled up beside us as we drew our horses to a halt. Its wheels sank a little too deep in the mud, the metal braces of one straining ominously. I opened my mouth to warn the young soldier taking my reins, but Catrin had already swung down from her saddle to do the same.
The warning came too late. Just as Catrin handed her reins over, a tremendouscracksplit the air as the overloaded cart buckled. The axle hadsnapped in two, and the entire wagon collapsed in a shriek of splintering wood and howling metal. Swords clattered to the ground. Armor rolled and slammed against the pitted earth.
Chaos erupted.
With panicked whinnies, our horses reared.
“Grab them!” someone shouted.
The man holding our reins tried, but failed.
Our horses bucked, ripping control from the young man’s hands. But—oh gods—he’d tied one of the reins of mine around his upper arm so he could take Catrin’ in hand.
His arm, he would—
“Get clear!” someone bellowed.
I lunged forward instinctively.
But two guards shoved us hard, sending Catrin and me sprawling backward onto the rough ground. My side was wracked with pain as the rhythmic thunder of hooves hammered inside my head.
The young soldier was being dragged, limp and flailing, as the horses bolted away from us.
I didn’t think. I just acted.
A tidal wave of calm ripped out of me in an invisible bolt. Soldiers nearby went slack, crumpling to the ground mid-step, mid-shout.
But the horses slowed. In one stride, they were snorting. By two, stomping. By the third, they’d stopped completely.
The soldiers who hadn’t been in the blast radius of my power rushed toward their younger compatriot. Two grabbed the horses. One carefully pulled the leather off his arm, where blood already soaked the sleeve. Another checked him for further injuries.
I exhaled shakily, still on my knees in the grass. The horses had stopped. No one had died.
The murmurs started immediately.
“Miracle,” “Blessed bythe goddess,” “She— Did you see—?”
While the world around us buzzed with awe and fear, Catrin was, well,Catrin. “Gods be-feckin’-low,” she cursed, her hair a mess as she settled herself next to me on the grass.
“You alright?” she asked under her breath.
I managed a nod.
Heavy footsteps thudded toward us. I glanced up just as the soldier she’d been chatting with that day I’d visited the city, dropped to a knee beside Catrin, his expression tight with worry. He was about my age, with dark brown hair and tanned skin. There was dirt smeared along his jaw, a streak of sweat glinting on his forehead. He looked as though he’d crossed half the field for her at a sprint.
