“We will consider it,” Commander Talon said, easily ignoring General Isa’s dig, “and I appreciate the invitation.” He turned to me then, that sympathy still lingering far in the depths of his sky-blue eyes. “You won’t need to bring much. Everything will be provided for you.”
He made to leave, but I spoke before he could. “Wait,” I said, and he turned. “What about—Iwillbe bringing my mare,” I corrected myself. I wouldn’t ask for something this important. I wasstill First Daughter, and if I was soon to be empress, then I would be obeyed. “I won’t leave here without her, and I will need guarantees that she will never be in any danger and will also be well provided for.”
“We assumed you’d bring your horse. It will be treated well.”
“Shewill be treated well,” I said, and his eyebrows rose a fraction of a degree. “She is my equal in intelligence—and likely smarter than you. I want her treated as well as I hope I will be amongst your people…and your eagles.”
For some reason, my words, though they were antagonistic, made that little softness of sympathy in the depths of his eyes shift into something else. His expressions were hard to read. It was difficult to attribute emotion to a statue.
“You have my word she will be treated well,” he said.
“Thank you,” I said, and I felt a little bubble of relief that I’d managed to do that much at least. My whole world might be coming to an end, but I didn’t want to drag Shazeera down with me.
He gave a quick nod of his head, and then he departed, scroll tucked under one arm.
Chaos erupted the moment he was gone. Ama began giving orders to handmaidens for the feast tonight and things I would need to pack. General Isa began barking orders to her guards, starting with finally lifting the canyon evacuation since we weren’t under threat of attack anymore. Mariyah and Queen Jazela jumped into the discussion on the feast preparations. Queen Samira sat totally at ease, like she hadn’t shown up and completely disrupted our lives. I tried to stand tall and dignified even though my legs had turned to jelly. Over and over, my mind tortured me with one question:What if I made a terrible mistake?
Zara,a voice said in my mind, just as I was at the height of myinner panic.Zara, what has happened? What are the Eagle Riders doing here?
I let out an explosive breath that was half sob and half relieved whimper. It was Shazeera. At last.
“Ama, I must go to Shazeera,” I tossed over my shoulder as I hurried outside.
“Zara,” she said as I raced by, but I didn’t stop.
Shazeera was waiting right outside the pavilion, her concern for me coming through our renewed bond strongly. She was also dying to know why the Eagle Riders had come.
I sent an image of us going for a run before I hauled myself astride. Shazeera cantered easily to the top of the canyon, her head pointed toward the plains beyond…and freedom, if only for a moment. When we were no longer hindered by tents and people and animals, Shazeera lengthened her stride into a full gallop. The wind greeted me with a kiss as it flowed through Shazeera’s mane and tugged on my own braided hair.
We ran and ran, and as we did, I fed memories to her of everything that had transpired within the tent. She let out a distressed whinny when I came to the end. The treaty was signed, and we would soon be leaving to live with our enemy, but there was never a moment’s hesitation in her mind about coming with me. She was braver than I was.
It’s not as though I’m not afraid to go,Shazeera said as her hooves thundered over the grasslands,because I am, but we’ll be together, which is all I care about.
I put my hand on her sleek neck.I know. I feel the same.
This will be hard for you, but it will be easier on you than it would have been for any other daughter. It may be a secret to everyone else, but I know you’ve always been drawn to the eagles. Perhaps you’ll finally figure out why.
I hid my head in her mane.I feel only shame over that now. Think of everything we’ve seen the eagles do! How could I possibly be interested in such creatures?
They are predators, and we are prey,she said with a mental shrug.It is their nature, as yours is wind and flight. Even my fleetness cannot satisfy that need within you.
I wrapped my arms around her neck.Don’t say that. You are enough. You are everything.
You aremyeverything, which is why I will gladly follow you up the mountain and into the eagles’ nests.
We had galloped clear to the other side of the lake, and now we stood overlooking its beauty, the canyon in the distance.You are my heart’s sister,I told her,and hearing you say that makes me feel better. Though I hope we won’t have to live in an eagle’s nest. I was hoping for slightly more elegant accommodations.
Amusement flowed through our bond.
And at least our bond need never be tested again. There will be peace at last.
Yes,she said with a sigh,at last.
As the sun dipped lower toward the horizon, I looked out at our land and thought of all the horses who would soon be able to graze freely without fear of eagles swooping down on them. Of sons and daughters who would no longer have to go to war to defend our people. I may never see this land again, but at least I would leave knowing my sacrifice made it safe for my people and horses.
At long last, the war that had raged between our peoples for a hundred and fifty years was now over. Somehow, in spite of not having any earth magic, I had managed to fulfill my duty as First Daughter. The thought brought a sense of calm over me, even knowing that Shazeera and I would soon be walking into the unknown.
I knew my sacrifice would bring peace to my people, but for me, the battle was far from over. I had been born with the respect of my own people, but soon, I would have to earn it as future empress of a culture I knew virtually nothing about.
