“Don’t I know it,” Sebastian muttered, brushing past me to strap a reining saddle around a speckled Arabian mare.
Archer laid a hand on my shoulder, dipping his head. “Just be careful. Remember what I said. Do not enter the castle grounds. And should you discover Cyprian is alive?—”
“I know, I know. Don’t let him see me and don’t try to kill him. Return here and we will devise a plan. Blah. Blah. Blah.”
With an amused grin, his hand fell. “Alright. This is where I leave you then. Kade should be here shortly, along with Jensen. Your friend Sawyer is coming, too?”
“Here,” Sawyer replied, kicking hay with his boot as he entered the stables. “It stinks in here.”
“No shit. It's a horse barn, not a hair salon.” Kade strolled in after him, shaking his head. He was followed by an average-height blond man who I assumed was Jensen.
Archer pulled me into an awkwardI know we don’t really know each other, but I’m going to hug you goodbye anywayhug, then left to return to the palace.
“Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” Kade announced. He pulled a black stallion out the nearest stall by its reins, the thoroughbred already bridled and saddled. “Two to three days there—make it three and a half with stops. Hopefully only a few hours in the actual shit hole, then another two to three days back. Is everyone still on board?”
I nodded at the same time I noticed how there were only four horses prepared to be ridden. “Which horse is mine?”
“You're with me,” Sebastian uttered, securing his rucksack into one of the saddle bags on his horse then reaching out for mine.
“Ha ha.” I rolled my eyes. “That’s funny.”
Kade passed the reins of a beige mustang to Jensen. “He’s not joking, you’re riding with Hawthorne. Our last mare is unwell. We only have the four horses that are robust enough to make the trip at this time. Venay needs the other if you want her to check out Caelestis for survivors.”
I took a step towards Sawyer, grasping the strap of my bag as Sebastian tried to snatch it. “Then I’ll ride with you.”
“So. Damn. Stubborn.” Sebastian stomped towards me as he grumbled. He picked me up, tossed me over his shoulder, strutted back towards his horse, and plopped me into the faded leather saddle.
“You can holdon to me, you know.”
“I don’t want to,” I sneered in response to Sebastian’s low tone. Although maintaining balance while my arms were crossed over my chest was proving to be quite the challenge.
“You’re going to fall?—”
“Shut up.”
Something between a laugh, growl, and a sigh poured from Sebastian’s throat. “Well, are you feeling okay back there? Not sore or nauseous or anything?”
“I’m fine, Sebastian.”
“Are you sure? We can take a break if?—”
“Take a left at the end of this trail,” Kade called out from the front of our herd. “Then it's a straight shot for hours.”
We were already deep in the forest. Trees of all shades of green blocked the sun from singeing our skin. The woods on this side of the continent were fascinating. Small streams and rivers flowed every which way, creating a pale blue lattice across the forest floor. Unusually colored fungi were scattered across grass. Plants with flowers that I didn't recognize outlined the dirt pathway we rode upon.
The gods-made canvas was absolutely dazzling, but I already found myself missing the shore in Caelestis.
My mind scattered about, forcing me to relive the vivid memory of the beach Sebastian had taken me to when we first began training together. The chances that I would ever return there were less than unlikely, but I hoped so. I’d never seen a strip of shore as peaceful and gorgeous as that one.
“Maeve.”
“Hm?”
“Hold on to me,” Sebastian demanded, interrupting my daydream.
As Kade’s stallion picked up his speed, the rest of the horses began to follow, propelling into a steady canter.
With a groan, I wrapped my arms around Sebastian's chest. My thighs clenched around the saddle at the feel of his muscles underneath my palms. Which wasexactlywhy I didn't want to hold on to him.
