Page 113 of Bruised MC Bear

“You are an impatient little thing, aren’t you? I will be back shortly.”

Xander might have been intending to hurry, but to Kiera, he could not return fast enough.

He was back a few minutes later. “Ready?”

Kiera followed him out to the horses outside. She did not wait for him to help her up. This time, she went to the white mare’s side, taking the reins in her left hand. She lifted the fabrics of her cloak and robe up to her knees with the other hand, stuck her left foot into the stirrup, and climbed up onto the horse’s saddle the way a man would. There was no time for idle sidesaddle riding. She needed to get this horse in a full gallop and get back before the Regent’s guards found her anywhere near the shifter camp.

“Let’s go,” she told him, giving the reins a snap to move off.

“Your state of panic is not helping the horse,” he said when his horse got beside hers. “We should be fine until we are a few hundred yards outside the fortress. I would escort you all the way there, but it may not be wise.”

“I agree. You can leave me when we get to the Great Hall. The guards will not ask me much if they see me riding in from there. I will only have to answer to the Regent about my whereabouts.”

“Understood.”

Relaxing her mare’s pace to a trot, they left the camp without incident. Soon, they had made it to the witch craftsmen’s homes, and Kiera picked up on a hissing sound she could recognize anywhere.

Coco.

In her Osprey form.

She flew in over the slate rooftops of the houses, swooping down to perch on Kiera’s shoulders without waiting for the mare to stop.

“Coco!” Kiera cried. “I’m so relieved to see you.”

“As am I, darling.”

“You have been avoiding me.”

“I would call it letting you process some things without my interference,” Coco corrected her. “Never mind that. I came as soon as I sensed you. Wherever you were last night, your thoughts were cloaked…and from the looks of your riding companion, my first guess is the shifter camp. Why hello, Commander Oslo.”

“Good morning, evil shifter witch,” he answered gruffly.

“Keep it up and I’ll give you a good reason to call me evil, polar bear,” she hissed.

“Coco, focus please.” Kiera had no time for their conflict. She got back to the point. “I suspect it was the containment spell around their camp that kept me hidden. Everyone must be worried. God, I must be in big trouble.”

“Not likely. Well, perhaps, but I’m not sure. Reena told me you had left when I got back to the fortress last night, so I did my best to help cover for you. We told the Regent you were in your room meditating. I cannot say for certain that he believed us, but I did a blocking spell at your bedroom door.”

“I appreciate you for doing that, but it will not change the fact that I am riding to the fortress entrance on a shifter’s horse when no one saw me leave this morning.”

“I have a plan for that too. Wait for me at the back of the Great Hall, all right?”

“I will. Thank you, Coco.”

Her familiar flew off, and she and Xander continued riding until they were at the meeting spot. She dismounted the mare. “You do not need to wait here with me.”

Xander took the second set of reins. “I will wait, anyway.”

“Thank you for the meal, and for allowing me into your home.”

“You are welcome. I would still like to give you a tour sometime.”

“I do not believe that is wise, after last night. Goodness, I hope nothing happens to you because of me.”

“You should worry about what Minassus will do to you if he finds out.”

“I will tell him the truth if he asks. I lost track of time outside the fortress, did not want to return home, met you purely by chance, visited the shifter camp, and fell asleep in your cabin after supper.”