Dorian chuckled. “You are never civil.”
“But I am trying.” Bel smirked.
Rilen, Roran, and Kimber glared on.
I groaned under my breath. “How far is the nearest town?”
“A day’s hard ride,” Kimber sniped, scowling like she wanted to tear my lover’s head off. I hope she didn’t try. She couldn’t be that unintelligent, handling the three men that she did. When she remained seated, I knew I was right. She was bright. That was a good sign for this adventure. Kimber then growled, “And we really should hurry. Dorian was correct. S’Kir is in turmoil right now.”
Dorian—with Rilen behind him on the saddle—led the way down a treacherous path of rocks, steep hills, and hidden dips made for breaking a horse’s ankle. Kimber followed directly behind him, with Roran holding his arms protectively around her stomach. I went next, and Belshazzar took the rear—watching for any foe diligently.
It was slow going, the terrain dreadful. I quickly found my seat again, even after all the years of not riding. The horse was well-trained and did exactly as I bid—thank God for that small blessing. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure Bel was doing fine, even though I knew it was silly to worry about him.
He shook his head, discreet affection softening his frigid gaze. “Watch where you’re going, Gwen. Not me.”
My lips twitched. “You ride well, Bel.”
And he did, his hips moving…nicely.
His deep chuckle warmed places better not mentioned while traveling on a dangerous path, my thoughts heading down a sensual road only he inspired in me.
Suddenly, he jerked his chin up, barking, “Watch out!”
I jerked my head around, but it was too late.
My horse skittered to the side, barely missing a large ditch, and slid to the right on loose rocks down a steep embankment. I pulled on the reins, shouting, “Whoa! Whoa!”
The horse couldn’t stop. I was along for the ride.
Rocks and grass flew through the air.
I hardly kept my seat as we traveled down the treacherous slope, ducking under an errant tree limb full of sharp thorns. I stayed low as she jumped far over another black ditch. We landed hard on a small trail. All could hear the horse’s frightened whinny as she skittered to the side, dense trees to our right and a large hill to our left.
I sucked in oxygen and patted her neck, soothing her gently with gasping words. I peered far, far up the hill where we had been. Three horses stood tall, stopped solid, with their riders all staring down at me with varying expressions.
“Are you all right?” Bel bellowed furiously.
“I am fine.” I examined the hill as closely as I could—it was too steep for as far as the vampire eye could see. “But I do not think I can get back up there.”
“Where the fuck are we?” King Belshazzar shouted at the others. “This looks nothing like the island I knew. She needs to be up here with us.”
“S’Kir has grown with the population growth over the last three thousand years,” Dorian explained calmly. “That trail will stay next to us for a half a day’s ride. Then we can meet up again.”
“I do not like this,” Bel snarled.
“I can see that, but there is nothing we can do about it now other than risk our horses. That would be unwise right now.”
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath and looked forward. It was much darker down here, the moonlight shaded from the close trees. Visibility was low, even with my eyesight. I tried not to sound frightened in this terrifyingly new realm, and questioned for clarification, “Dorian, how far did you say again?” Maybe I had heard him wrong.
“You will be fine,” Belshazzar soothed.
Nope. I hadn’t heard him wrong if Bel was trying to comfort me. Perfect. I was stuck down here for a while. Not really where I wanted to be right now.
“Is there a taxi I can call?” I gripped the reins tighter, trying not to tremble.
Dorian griped, “What is she talking about?”
“Shut up, brother. She is frightened.” King Belshazzar shouted, “Stay close, Gwen. And I will keep an eye on you from here.”
