“We were terrified,” Mariel adds, pulling back to check me over. “Are you hurt?”
I shake my head, overcome. “No, just tired.”
“Two days,” Vivian says softly. “You were gone two days.”
I nod. “I know.”
But before I can say more, Elena’s voice slices through the moment. “You cost memyday.” Her arms are crossed, her eyes scathing.
“Excuse me?”
“The king. He left. He vanished without warning and didn’t return until it was too late. Because ofyou.”
“So sorry you missed your romantic evening,” I mutter.I’m sure being attacked and getting lost in the woods during a terrible storm was nothing in comparison.
“You think this is funny?” she seethes.
“No,” I say flatly. I want to say it’s pathetic, but I know that will only make matters worse.
Seraphina appears behind her like a storm cloud, cold and silent.
Vivian steps between us, shielding me from the barrage I’m no doubt about to receive from Elena’s closest ally. “Enough. She just got back.”
Elena scoffs but stalks away. Seraphina’s gaze lingers a beat longer, then she follows Elena back inside the castle.
“Come on,” Mariel says. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
“I’m famished,” I admit, “but first I need to check on my mare and her foal.”
“Your mare?” Mariel blinks.
“Foal?” Cassy squeals. “Did you sayfoal?”
“I’ll explain on the way.”
The four of us lead Aetherion down the winding path to the stables. The guards let us pass without question, their eyes wide as they spot me leading the unmistakable silver stallion.
When we arrive, I lead Aetherion to his empty stall and remove his bridle and saddle. He just bows his head and gently nudges my shoulder before turning to eat the well-deserved pile of hay waiting for him, no doubt left there on the king’s orders.
“There,” I whisper. “Good boy.”
The girls follow me through stables until, finally, I spot Ashwing standing in the straw with her newborn foal curled beside her, fast asleep.
“Oh,” Mariel breathes.
“Oh, stars, he’s adorable!” Cassy squeals.
Vivian inhales sharply. “Is that a Pegasus?”
“It is,” I whisper.
The foal stirs, his tiny white wings fluttering as he wakes.
“I thought they were extinct,” Mariel says. “You only ever hear about them in stories. My uncle used to say they vanished when Abrellia fell.”
“In Korran Vale,” Cassy says, “they say Pegasi are born when a horse drinks from a lightning-struck pool under a full moon.”
“In Eldrien,” Mariel murmurs, “we believe they’re the souls of fallen warriors come back to protect the innocent.”
