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“She likes you,” Leo said from behind me. “Are you ready to mount her?”

I looked hesitantly at Holly. “I think so.”

Leo smiled reassuringly. “Want a boost?”

I nodded, accepting his help, his strong hands gripping just above my hips.

“Place one foot in the stirrup, then haul your other leg over when I lift you up.”

I concentrated on his instructions, ignoring the feel of his hands, and mounted the horse with ease.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

Leo patted Holly as he left us, mounting his own horse, a dark charcoal-colored stallion. Broad and beautiful. Fit for a king.

Sigrid sat atop her own horse next to Leo’s; the two of them making a striking pair.

I wondered if they were lovers.

I reddened at the intrusive thought. Where did that come from, and why would I care to know?

Portal.

Home.

Hunter.

Those were my priorities.

“We’ll start with Stafford’s Portal, two hours south,” Leo announced. “Then three days’ ride to Lennox Portal. Stay close.” He looked my way before guiding his horse away from the others to lead the group.

Sigrid came to my side. “Holly will follow where Leo’s horse, Drag, goes. Just hold on to her reins, she’ll guide you.”

“Thank you.” I smiled, relieved Holly knew what to do for the both of us.

I fell in line easily behind Leo, while Sigrid, Cal, and Simon held the rear.

Leo must not fear his people if he only brought three guards to protect him out in the open, though I would technically consider Simon two guards. And not one of them was armed.

On my Earth, government officials were transported by motorcades with bulletproof vehicles to thwart assassination attempts by restless civilians.

Maybe One was different from Six; an Earth where magic and goodness existed instead of war and terror. Leo could be a king who was loved by his people. Or he was using his powers to protect us.

I relaxed my body as I fell into a rhythm with Holly.

I guess I’d find out soon enough.

CHAPTER TWELVE

BRYN

Ihad always considered myself in good shape.

I ran every day, trained in hand-to-hand combat weekly, and had muscular arms from carrying a gun my entire adult life.

But now, Holly’s movements had me questioning my endurance; my body ached in places I didn’t know could ache from clenching my legs and sitting straight for an extended amount of time.

The air around me remained heavy, but tolerable. The brightness of the scenery dimmed thanks to Leo’s magic that cloaked me once more, allowing me to take it all in.