“We have your connection to rely on. We’ll find him.”
“I don’t want to let you down.”
“You won’t. You’ve made me a believer.” Tipping her chin up, he kissed her, continuing until her pulse sped up and her hand gripped his jacket. With effort, he pulled back, satisfied to see her cheeks had heated with warmth. “Let’s take advantage of a night indoors, hmm? We can’t do much more for them until morning.”
Heading to the inn, they looped around the opposite side of the way they’d come. It was much quieter on the outskirts, and he breathed in the scent of horses and mud, the familiarity a relief from the overwhelming smells of the square. Dusk further mellowed the surroundings, dimming the sun to a softer hue as they walked.
A dappled gray horse in the pen up ahead reared, pawing the air and crying in outrage, breaking the stillness.
“Wow, he’s really worked up,” Rodric said as they looked over at the source of the enraged sound.
Latching on to his arm, Celina jerked to a stop, staring at the animal. “We have to go over there right now.”
“Why? What is it?”
Celina ignored his question, completely focused as she dragged him toward the pen. Dropping his arm as they approached, she dove under the fence and pushed her way through the horses.
“Celina!” Rodric roared, racing after her. “Be careful!”
“Whoa, easy. It’s okay, Rogue.”
Rodric could barely hear her voice over the loud sounds of the angry horse. The beast was so worked up, any sane person would have been afraid to venture too close. His heart exploded, pounding in fear as he pushed past the other horses to get to her side.
“Come on, boy, you know me.” Celina spoke in soothing tones. “There, that’s it.” Finally able to approach safely, she moved up next to his head and stroked his neck. She wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck in a hug.
“This is Connor’s horse! Rodric, we have to be close!”
Somewhere in the back of his mind, elation sparked. They were closing in on their target, had real physical proof. Were that much closer to saving Brenna. All that dimmed as images of Celina crushed and trampled took precedence in his mind.
“That’s great, really. But what were you thinking, Celina? He wasn’t going anywhere. You dove into a pen of agitated horses without a thought! You have got to quit scaring me like that.”
He’d been so focused on magic taking her from him, he hadn’t considered all the other ways he could lose her. Stubborn and noble, she was always trying to save someone, stepping into dangerous situations without full consideration of the consequences. His chest tightened as he realized he had no real way to stop her from jumping into harm’s way. How was he supposed to keep her safe?
“I’m sorry, you’re right. I recognized him and had to get to him. We have to take him with us!”
Her excitement didn’t deter the adrenaline rushing through his veins. Running a hand over his face, he blew out a frustrated breath. “Of course. But Celina—” He bit off his words and changed course.Not the time or place.“I’ll purchase him and interrogate the owners. They might have some of his gear still or the location where they found him. Just,stay here. Please.”
“Rogue is a trained warhorse. I’m well-protected.”
At the moment, it wasn’t other people’s actions she was in danger from, it was her own. Mumbling under his breath, Rodric left to find the hostlers holding Connor’s warhorse. The stroke of luck and Celina’s joy barely dimmed his fierce emotions.
Atorrentofemotionhad built up in Rodric by the time they had settled Rogue in the stable with their horses and returned to the inn. Their small room trapped him in, preventing him from pacing a trench into the floor with his heavy steps. Instead, he walked to the window and braced his arms above the opening, trying to let the quiet of the night soothe him.
Rogue had been caught at a nearby stream, injured and malnourished, appearing to have wandered on his own for quite a while. His high-quality gear had long since been sold. They’d been more than happy to get rid of the angry horse, saving them from trying to sell him in one of the larger towns.
Knowing they were on the right track and closing in on their targets should have calmed him, but he was still vibrating with pent-up fear and frustration.
Celina wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Are you still upset about earlier?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not alone anymore, Rodric. You don’t have to hide from me, even when you’re angry.”
With a last glance outside, he turned to face her. Letting his instincts blaze, he stalked toward her, enjoying the startled flash in her eyes. Placing his hands on her hips, he walked her backward toward the bed.
“You cannot do that to me, Celina.”
She licked her lips, preparing to speak, but he shook his head at her.
