But first we had to get there.
The boardwalk was narrow—made for foot traffic and bikes—but it was passable by horse…if you could get any horse out to the middle of the lake without it losing its mind.
I took a deep breath.We can do this. I know them.
“Single file—space yourselves, and walkcarefully. Blue Moon and I will lead.”
I clicked to Blue Moon, and he obediently walked up to the wooden bridge that marked the start of this water-crossing boardwalk. His hooves thudded dully on the wood as he took the first few steps.
When we reached the part of the boardwalk that started to tilt down toward the water, Eclipse started, breathing loudly as her footfalls added to the boardwalk.
This thing should be able to hold us all, I thought as Blue Moon tossed his head.I’ve seen the city bring multiple bobcats and four-wheelers out here for maintenance. The bigger issue is if the night mares can stay calm.
Blue Moon obediently marched on, and when I twisted in the saddle to look back, Solstice had already entered the boardwalk. He tossed his head, and his movements were tense, but he followed. Behind him, Nebula got on, her ears pinned but her head slightly lowered with a mulish sort of stubbornness.
We’re doing it. We’ll make it, and as long as we get good time on the bike path, we’ll make it.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Rigel
“She is insane!” Lord Linus hissed. “What is shethinking?”
King Solis gaped in silence, though he gripped the wooden fence tightly enough to make it creak.
I stared at the TV screens, the least shocked as we watched Queen Leila lead the night mares—by all accounts uncontrollable beasts—out over the water, taking them far away from land against all their instincts.
“Mmert!”
Recognizing the sound, I turned and was not at all surprised to see the Paragon standing next to us, cradling a basket that held his overweight and bald cat.
“Those are the night mares?Thosecreatures?” The Paragon shook his fist at the screens. “I spent hours—no—dayscorralling you uncooperative monsters, and with just a flutter of her eyelashes Queen Leila can lead you out over open water? Like a bunch of peaceful lambs? That’s not fair! You rotten ingrates!”
Fax struck the ground with his hoof, and I set a hand on his neck as I watched the screens.
Leila and her deadly pets were almost to the halfway point of the boardwalk.
The drone fluttered down to get a better shot, and from this angle you could see how nervous the night mares were.
They tossed their heads, swished their tails, and their ears were ever moving as sweat streaked their hides. They were so nervous, the sweat had created a froth on their legs, and a few of the animals drooled red and snorted sparks.
I hope you know what you’re doing, Queen Leila.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Leila
The night mares were terrified.
Behind me, they snorted and tossed their heads. Sweat dripped off their necks, shoulders and chests, and at one point Comet charged a few steps, barely stopping before she slammed into the rail.
We were in the middle of the lake now, as far away from land as we’d get.
My stomach had numbed in my fear, and I knew that if the night mares didn’t calm down, we’d be in a very dangerous position.
Blue Moon’s hide twitched, but when I put a hand on his shoulder he calmed, his ears perking.
“It’s okay, buddy,” I murmured to him. “We’re going to be fine.”
