Yet I am strangely comforted by my limitations.
Thegiof Mountains floods me with power. I am invincible. But all this might and magic feel too big for my body. And the normalcy of sore muscles quietens the dissonance within me. No matter how immense my powers—I stretch my back with a groan—I cannot last on this horse much longer.
I am still me.
“Don’t get me wrong,” I murmur to my horse, as though he overheard my inner musings. He’s a beautiful animal, muscular and sleek with a brown coat so rich that it almost looks black. “You’re an impressive warhorse. My body just needs to get accustomed to riding on your back for hours on end.”
The horse neighs in reassurance, and I pat his neck and glance up at the darkening sky. When I hear the gallop of another horse approaching, I straighten in my saddle.
“We made good progress.” Jihun reins in his ride to trot beside me and points at a line of trees ahead of us. “We’ll set up camp for the night in that forest.”
“Got it,” I say casually, holding back a hoot of relief. Even sleeping on the cold ground sounds like heaven at this point.
Jihun covers his almost smirk with a cough. “Your tent should be ready by the time you arrive.”
“My tent?” My brows draw together. “Will the soldiers be sleeping in tents?”
“No.” He shakes his head once. “The rest of us will sleep under the stars. We need to be prepared to mobilize quickly.”
“Then I should too.” I set my jaw, bearing down for an argument. I didn’t ride into battle to be pampered. “I’m not more deserving of comfort than any of these soldiers.”
“While I appreciate the thought”—Jihun crosses his arms—“you will do no such thing.”
“I will do”—I narrow my eyes into dangerous slits—“as I see fit.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.” He sighs and wipes a hand down his face. “I want you in a tent for selfish reasons. If I ward your tent, I won’t have to stay up all night guarding you. I could use some rest. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden this long and hard.”
“Yeah. It’s no joke.” I deflate, my righteous indignation leaking out of me. “Of course you need rest.”
“If it’s any consolation”—my royal adviser scratches the side of his neck—“your tent is not exactly suitable for glamping.”
“What?” I rear back in mock outrage. “Do you mean to tell me there won’t be copious amounts of silk and shearling for me to drape my royal body over?”
Jihun snorts. “Now there’s a mental image I never wanted to have.”
I grin and urge my horse toward the forest. We ride in comfortable silence until we reach our bivouac. Even after a long day’s march, the soldiers laugh and talk among themselves as they gather firewood and prepare to settle down for the night.
I know the exact moment they notice our arrival. They drop everything they’re doing and come to stand at attention. Then they exchange panicked glances, some bowing from their waist and others falling to their knees.
I realize these foot soldiers have never met the king before and have no idea how to greet me.Hell.I don’t know how to greet a king either. I nod and motion for them to rise. They stay put, sneaking glances at each other.
“Where’s my tent?” I whisper to Jihun.
“Your tent is this way, Your Majesty,” my royal adviser says loudly for the benefit of the floundering soldiers, then leads me to the edge of the camp.
The round tent, reminiscent of a Mongolian yurt, with a tall, pointed roof, stands in a clearing in the woods. I step into the spacious shelter and look over my shoulder at Jihun as he follows me inside.
Several light orbs float beneath the high ceiling, lighting the interior in a warm glow. A sleeping mat, complete with a silk comforter, takes up one side of the tent, while a low table with seat cushions occupies the other. There’s even a small washing station tucked behind the sleeping area.
“You don’t consider this glamping?” I gape at Jihun.
“We don’t provide breakfast in bed,” he deadpans.
“Have you been moonlighting as a stand-up comic?” I chuckle. The lively chatter picks back up outside, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “I guess this tent has many uses. I didn’t realize how uncomfortable the soldiers would feel around me.”
“They aren’t so much uncomfortable as they are awestruck,” Jihun explains. “They are honored to have you ride with them.”
I rub the back of my head. “All this will take some getting used to.”
