Well, not so much at her as they stared at her horn.
Pawing at the ground, Gisela snorted. “Anyone calls me a dart donkey and I’ll skewer them.”
Masakage laughed so hard he choked.
Candara rolled her eyes.
Smiling, Xaydin approached her so that he could stroke her mane. “That’s the last thing I’d ever call you, my love.”
“Well, we now know her paternal lineage, don’t we?”
Gisela turned her head to see Ronan joining them. “What’s happening with the centaurs?” she asked him.
“They’re retreating. Guess your mother knew she couldn’t stand up to the four of you.” Ronan scratched at his neck. “Love to know who opened the portals for them…in both directions.”
Gisela knew. “Her wizard brigade. I didn’t see any among them, but she uses them in battle and must have brought some with her.”
Which explained how she was able to appear on the deck so quickly.
I should have known. Just as she knew what her mother now planned. “She’s retreated to her lands. But she will be back. And in greater numbers.”
Xaydin nodded. “Sadly, we’re well versed in her battle tactics.”
Candara stepped forward. “But she doesn’t have what she wants most.”
“My head?” Gisela asked.
“I was thinking more about the contract with Dash. But sure, your head probably ranks up there. Her disappointments today were many.”
“Which will only make her more determined.” Gisela let out a tired sigh. “So where does this leave us?”
“Screwed and ass backwards,” Ronan said nonchalantly.
Ignoring his comment, Xaydin scratched his chin. “We have an errant prince to return home and a contract to deliver. Let’s take care of what we need to.”
“We still don’t know where the prince is,” Gisela reminded them.
Ronan shook his head. “Not exactly true. Mischief knows.”
Xaydin didn’t comment as his hand dipped to stroke Gisela’s side. It was then he saw the blood in her fur. “Are you all right?”
“I want to say yes, but… I need to lie down.”
He immediately took off his cloak and wrapped it around her. “Change, and I’ll get you to the inn.”
More grateful than she could ever say, she shifted to her human form. Had Xaydin not been there beside her, waiting, she would have fallen.
He scooped her up in his arms.
Candara opened a portal. “We’ll be along shortly.”
“Thank you.” And with that, Xaydin took Gisela through the portal to their room at the inn.
Gisela let out a sigh as he placed her on the bed, then went to find one of his tunics for her to wear.
He pulled back his cloak and cursed. “When did this new wound happen?”
“When I was running from my mother.”
