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A whisper and a pat on the neck were all I needed to instruct Nyxia to stay put. She had been my go-to horse for several years now and in that time we’d developed our own language with each other. Hence why I knew she needed a break, since she kept looking at me over her shoulder.

I came around to Maxon, clamping onto his bit piece. “Easy, boy.” I stroked my hand down his snout, seeing his irritation. “Have you ever ridden before?” I tried to curb any perception of judgment in my question.

“My father had taken me when I was a girl, after my mother died.”

Those words hit home. “Here.” I extended my arms out. She hesitated, but gauging the distance between where she sat perched atop Maxon and the ground, she settled on accepting my assistance. “Swing that leg over, unhook this one from the stirrup. That’s a lesson I learned the hard way a few times as a boy.”

She moved with uncertainty, her fear on full display as she kept trying to catch her balance. Her gloved hands gripped the horn and cantle so hard that the leather groaned.

“Now lean forward, I’ll catch you.”

She took a moment, but finally let herself slide off. I could have just grabbed her hips and stabilized her feet on the ground, but I found myself wrapping my arms around her waist, holding her close. Slowly, I let her inch down, feeling every curve of her body pressed against mine until her feet planted firmly. Even then, I didn’t let go. Her hands rested on my arms, her heat penetrating the custom fabric.

Silence surrounded us as we stilled. Maxon snorted and huffed, probably annoyed we remained in his personal space. I cleared my throat and used my hand on her back to guide her away from him while I took hold of his reins and walked him to the trees to secure him. Nyxia followed me on her own, and I stroked her a few times before loosely hooking her reins on a limp branch.

“Are you hungry? I packed a few apples. We can share with the horses,” I teased.

“No, I’m fine.” She stared off into the distant night, hopeful that at the end of our path, she would find her sister. Her arms wrapped around herself, like even she feared she’d fall apart if something didn’t stop it.

I stalked up to her. “I’m glad you came to find me.” I don’t know what made me say it, maybe knowing that she’d always been so guarded and I wanted to encourage her to lean on me when she needed to.

Her gaze snapped to meet mine. “I didn’t know what else to do. You’re the only person I trust in all this.”

Pride burned like a raging fire within me. I may have failed at a lot of things as a prince lately, but knowing I didn’t fail her melted away all that inadequacy. I closed the short distance that remained and encircled my arms around her, resting my chin on her head. When she returned the embrace, I sighed, welcoming her touch, her vulnerability.

“I’d suggest you try to get some sleep. We have a long day of riding. But I doubt you’ll listen to me.” My lip upturned in the corner.

“I don’t think I could even if I wanted to.”

“I know.” I ran my hand along the back of her hooded head, wanting nothing more than to pull it down, remove her mask, and stare into her eyes before driving a powerful kiss into her soft lips.

I wondered if a day would come where she would accept me for who I was. Until I knew that for certain, I wouldn’t risk losing her. I just hoped that if and when the time for that reveal came, she’d be ready.

41

Nora

Chol continued to reassure me we would make it, but as I held a death grip on this majestic beast, his thundering hooves against the softened spring soil mimicked the pounding in my chest.

My thighs burned from the strain of gripping Maxon’s body, trying to avoid bumping my ass against the saddle with every bound. It was already tender. Glances at Chol riding effortlessly told me he’d spent much time astride these creatures, his firm body moving with fluid ease as his horse kicked up dirt with every gallop.

The land glowed with orange light, like the world was kissed by morning fire. Every time I looked toward Chol, the sun would blind out spots in my vision, so I couldn’t stare for long. Maybe that was good. I didn’t need any distraction right now. I had to focus, keep myself sharp for once we got to the refugee camp he’d called Rahana.

The battering wind made my eyes tear, but I refused to decrease our speed. I would keep up with Chol’s well-trained pace, despite the toll on my body, despite the fear in my heart that we would reach the camp only to realize Melody was lost elsewhere. My hood refused to remain in place, and during the night I had cared less, but now that light was spilling from the sky, I continually fought to keep it secure.

As the sun rose, teetering over the treetops, I couldn’t go on any longer. My muscles had locked in place for over an hour, but their strength waned. Every bounce threatened to toss me off Maxon, made worse by my lack of ability to keep myself centered. Leaning back, I forced the reins to pull, signaling Maxon to slow. “Chol,” I shouted with an embarrassing amount of helplessness.

He controlled his horse, bringing her to a halt, peering at me over his shoulder, a chunk of surprisingly golden hair slipping from his hood.

“I need a minute.” Understatement. “Help me down,” I called, knowing if I tried myself, I’d plummet sideways and kiss the ground in the most unromantic of ways.

He somehow sensed my urgency, leaping off his steed with elegant grace and jogging to approach my side. I could barely bring myself to look at him, knowing how pathetic I looked. Instead, I did my best to hide my wincing as I unhooked my foot from the stirrup on my left. My hip barked in pain as I lifted my leg over. Too quickly, I lost my balance.

Strong hands caught me as I fell, my bones essentially liquid. How he managed to unhook my other foot without dropping me, I didn’t know, but before I knew it, my feet softly touched the ground. His arms remained secured around me, as if he knew the moment he let go, I’d drop.

When my legs found a crumb of strength, I tilted my head to face him, letting my hands trace his chest. I brought my eyes up to meet his already piercing gaze, stunned by the depth of the blue I could see in the daylight. His golden tan skin and medium brown eyebrows weren’t quite like I’d imagined in the dark, but something familiar rang at his ocean irises.

A striking color of cerulean. A piece of golden hair peeked from his hood. It sparkled in the light, like golden thread.