“Should I pack up the cot?” I don’t see where Zephyr or Niko put theirs, but it feels wrong to leave it behind.
Finnick just shakes his head. “No. Someone will take care of it.”
“Right, okay.” With nothing of mine left behind, I move to leave the tent, but stop short of the flaps, causing Finnick to fly into my back. “Sorry! I, uh, just wanted to ask about my suitcase? You mentioned someone would be bringing it.”
The man rubs his nose, red from the impact. “We found your things, and they will be taken to the castle.”
“Oh. Good. Sorry again,” I mumble and hurry out.
Yesterday, the area was full of tents, all smaller than the one Niko and Zephyr brought me to, but only a few remain, which feels odd. “We’re pulling some of our people, leaving the ones in best health to guard theselands and send word if there’s another attack,” Finnick explains my unasked question.
I see Lady Thalia off in the distance, directing people holding stretchers on where to place the injured. I see a man on a stretcher with his leg bent at an unnatural angle and blood coating the right side of his face. He’s pale, almost blue, and mumbling incoherently under his breath. I quickly look away, stomach churning at the sight of the wounded.
“Evangeline,” a deep masculine voice calls out.
My head snaps to attention just in time to see a flash of red hair. Niko approaches me, a warm smile on his face, a stark contrast from Zephyr earlier. He stops a few paces in front of me, and I have to tilt my head up to look at him. This man is tall. Not just a few inches taller than me. No, he stands at least a foot above me. It should be intimidating, but Niko’s kind smile puts me at ease in a way no other man has before.
“You’re awake. How did you sleep?”
“Oh, uhm, fine.” It’s a lie, and a bad one at that.
If Niko notices, he doesn’t comment. “You’ll be riding with me. Have you ever ridden a horse before? You do have those back in your world, right? I think I remember reading something about humans having horse companions.”
“We do, but I’ve only ridden one once.” And I doubt that will even count. It was at a school carnival, and it was a pony. My mom had her hand on my back the entire time as he slowly walked in circles. I’m fairly certain a turtle could have lapped us.
“That’s okay. I’ll take the reins. You’ll just need to hold on,” Niko assures and gestures for me to follow him.
That I can do.
Still feeling my muscles protest with each step, I follow Niko to where Zephyr stands holding the reins to two large horses, both with raven-black coats. The only difference is one has a white patch on their underbelly. Niko takes the reins from Zephyr, and the two share a look that feels too inappropriate for public. Embarrassment colors my features as I try to look away, giving them some semblance of privacy, even though they are the ones eye-fucking in public.
I’m not the only one who is uncomfortable because, next to me, Finnick pretends to throw up. He then flies between them, pushing Niko and Zephyr away from each other by their foreheads. “Let’s go. No one wants to see the two of you in love. It’s gross and offensive.”
Niko barks out a laugh. “One day, Brother, you’ll find your mate. And I cannot wait to give you shit about it.”
Finnick’s very mature response is to stick his tongue out and fly to the top of one of the horse’s heads and sit cross-legged. Zephyr actually cracks a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. It makes him look younger, more handsome than the sour expression he seems to don around me. “The princeling has spoken.”
“The princeling has spoken,” Finnick copies in a high-pitched voice, glaring at him. “Let’s go!”
Niko chuckles and then holds out his hand to me. “I’ll help you mount.”
I’m not exactly short, but I may as well be an ant compared to the horse. He expects me to climb up onthat? There’s no step stool in sight, and even though I have decent arm strength, I don’t think it’s good enough to heave myself onto a horse. Plus, I don’t want to be kicked off or stampeded over.
Clearly seeing the hesitation in my face, Niko gently reaches for my hand. I jump but let him pull me closer, easing my nerves. “I have you, Evangeline. Let me help you.” He moves me in front of him.
The warmth of his body hovers over me as he drops his hands to my hips. I let out an embarrassing squeak before being lifted effortlessly.
“Get your leg over the horse,” Niko orders, and I do as I’m told. It’s not my most graceful move, but I manage to shimmy my body onto the saddle and grin triumphantly like I’ve just overcome a challenging obstacle.
Hell yeah, I got on a damn horse!
Niko makes sure I’m secure before he lifts himself up. His muscles strain against his tunic as he pulls himself over. I never thought watching someone get on a horse would be hot, but Niko makes it seem so easy that I can’t help but feel a little breathless.
That is until I feel Zephyr’s heated expression boring into me.
“It’s going to be a long ride. Hold on tight,” Niko says, his voice low and steady.
I glance over at Zephyr just as he swings onto his horse. His jaw is clenched, and he’s deliberately avoiding looking in our direction. Fuck, I think I made him mad…again.
