Page 52

I’m the same but different.Verydifferent.

Clearly Khaosti thinks so. His jaw drops.

All my senses are more acute. I can smell Khaosti—his unique spicy masculine smell. It makes me almost swoon.

I still have the headache though. One thing that hasn’t changed—the shadowguard are on their way. I stamp my foot—or rather my hoof and glare at Khaos. He gets the message and blinks then hurries to my side. And stands there…

What to do with the wings? I’ve already decided—unless I absolutely have to—no flying. I don’t want to lose Stella. So, all four hooves are staying firmly on the ground. But thinking about Stella, I glance across. She’s got the same expression on her face as Khaosti. I think she’s in shock. But then she steps daintily forward and stretches her neck. Our noses touch. Aw, I think she likes me.

I’m thinking in English, but can I actually speak horse or rather alicorn? Something to explore at a later date.

Back to the wings. I’ve never really considered what to do with wings before. It’s a whole new problem set. But I don’t think Khaosti will manage to mount with them furled across my back,so I spread them. I can see them out of the corner of my eye—so freaking beautiful, flashing jet black in the sunlight. I wish I had more time to admire myself, but the headache is intensifying. I snort, hoping Khaosti understands what I’m trying to say. Seems like he does because he grabs a handful of mane in his good hand and then leaps onto my back. I hardly feel the weight, but I let out a horsey groan anyway—I don’t want him to trivialize my input here. I furl my wings around him—hopefully it will help keep him in place.

Then with a last meaningful glance at Stella, we’re off.

And it’s totally amazing. I am freaking fast. I can feel Khaosti’s legs wrapped around my sides and he’s leaning over my neck and we’re racing across the open ground. My wings prickle with the need to unfurl and reach for the sky, but when I glance back, we’re already leaving Stella behind, and I slow my speed. The headache is diminishing.

When Stella catches up, I maintain a steady pace. I can see the city clearly now, high above the plains on a mountain top. I search the air but can’t spot any sign of Zayne and the others. Hopefully they’re already safe inside the city walls.

I keep up the pace but can hear Stella’s rasping breath behind us, and I slow slightly. We’re going to make it.

Suddenly, I spot something. Streaming out of the mountain range on either side of the city. Not shadowguard. More men. They must have been waiting in ambush. And there’s a lot of them.

I skid to a halt with nowhere to go but back to where the shadowguard wait.

Chapter 21

Saved by the Cavalry, AKA…

As I slide to a stop, Khaosti nearly goes over my head. I hear him swear, then regain his balance. I glance back; he’s still bleeding badly. I need to get him to help soon. Except there’s a solid line of men between us and the city.

I search for a way out. I know what I need to do. I can fly over them. But that will leave Stella behind. There’s a good chance they won’t see her as important or a threat—just a riderless horse—and won’t harm her. But I’m not willing to take the risk. We don’t leave anyone behind, including Stella. Plus, there’s also a good chance that if I fly, Khaosti will fall. I can’t risk that—unless I absolutely have to.

Then I spot the first arrows, and soon the air is full of them, all heading this way. They are raining down on us. None of them hit me or Khaosti, but beside me Stella screams in pain. Rage roars through me. I move so I stand between her and the archers, and I spread my wings over her. I might be wrong but I’m guessing they want me alive. I am the only person who knows where Lucifer’s mirror is. They won’t risk my dying and taking that information with me.

I hope.

The shadowguard are approaching from behind us, the pressure increasing in my brain, so it feels like it’s going to pop any moment.

And the men are marching toward us, the sunlight glinting on long swords. They’re only minutes away. I can see them clearly now, pale skin and blond hair. Heavy leather armor. There are so many of them. They’ll overpower us in seconds.

I search the sky over Zandar Aurion and at last I see them, Zayne and Thanouq launching themselves from the walls of the city. At the same time, a swarm of soldiers march out from the broken city gates. They head down the mountain track at a run. But they still won’t get here in time.

I scream then rear up and flash out with my hooves as the first man gets within striking distance. He goes down under the force of my blow, and I stab the next through the throat with my horn. But there are so many; they’re all around us now.

Then the closest one is lifted from the ground in front of me and tossed to the side. Then another. The cavalry is here, AKA Thanouq and Zayne. They’re creating a break in the line of men.

I hope Stella can run because we have to go. I glance behind me. She’s rearing and twisting. I neigh, and she looks at me. I don’t wait any longer but just dive for the gap and she’s after me. And then we’re galloping the last mile to the base of the mountain. The first of Thanouq’s soldiers are down now andthey spread out and march toward us. I don’t slow, and they part, and we’re through. I skid to a stop and turn around. Stella is just behind me, her head hanging down, sides heaving. Blood drips from where the arrow sticks out of her shoulder, but she’s alive and she’ll be okay.

Most of the soldiers are marching toward the fight but a group stay behind and surround us, facing outward. I recognize Therion, Thanouq’s second in command. I’m betting he’s been ordered to keep us safe. I feel all warm and fuzzy.

Khaosti slips off my back and takes a step away. He looks me over; I think searching for any signs of damage. But there are none—they wanted me unharmed. I think that’s the only thing that saved us.

I consider shifting back but decide to wait until the fighting is over. Thankfully, the pressure in my head is fading. I’m guessing the shadowguard have realized the odds are against them and withdrawn. Thanouq’s soldiers are now engaging with the enemy, who have been decimated by the combined efforts of a griffin and a basilisk. Within minutes there’s no one left to fight. One man tries to flee, and he’s brought down by a flash of flame from Zayne. He rolls screaming on the ground, and I swallow and look away. He’s a person after all, even if he is fighting for the wrong side. Maybe he never had a choice.

I blow out my breath with a snort, then shake my mane. Still, we’re alive, thank god.

How have I come to the position where just being alive constitutes a good day.