Page 70 of Daughter of the Dark Sea

Samuel often ridiculed her for talking to Cadence, stating the horse wouldn’t understand what she was saying. But whenever Kora looked into Cadence’s dark eyes, a level of understanding stared back at her. She was a creature with a conscience, with thought.

Samuel reached out and lightly smacked Cadence’s hind, and the horse suddenly bolted forward with a neigh. “Aye, she’soff!” Cadence galloped ahead, picking up speed as they raced towards Blake, who reeled in surprise.

“Kora!” he snapped as she charged past.

She should have tugged on the reins, halted the horse, or turned back, but they were still so close to Bellmoor’s borders, and hadn’t seen a single exile in two full days.

So, Kora galloped, and she cried out happily as Cadence’s powerful legs pounded against the desert sand, propelling them up the oncoming sand dune.

“Stop!” Blake’s voice was a faint whisper, carried away by a gentle breeze.

“Run.”

Kora’s heart leapt inside of her chest as her guiding, invisible voice urged her on. Her watchful spirit, her floating protector. Cadence’s speed picked up, and Kora wondered if she also heard the faithful spirit voice. Exhilaration flowed through her, and a laugh bubbled up to her lips as the winds of freedom toyed with her hair.

The sound of hooves chased them as Blake advanced on his midnight stallion. A thundering black speck against the vastness of the desert, with a matching darkened face. Maybe this will get his mood to dissipate; some friendly competition. Maybe he’ll catch her and devour her on top of the dune.

Kora flicked her reins, enjoying the race, and Cadence pushed up the final hurdle of the dune with a fierce neigh that rattled through Kora’s bones. She felt the might of the horses’ muscle, the strength of her legs, the depths of her lungs.

A black shadow darted past them, and Blake pulled Erebus around to cut them off at the top of the dune. Cadence reared up, and the bags attached to the saddle swung backwards. Kora clenched her legs, holding on before she toppled off. She ran a hand down Cadence’s mane, attempting to soothe her as the front of her body crashed down, causing Erebus to step backwarily. Sweet but challenging-natured Cadence. She liked this mare.

“What are you thinking?” Icy words flew from Blake’s lips. “You don’t know what’s past these dunes—there could be exiles lurking, waiting to attack any second!”

Good, time to start their game. “There’s not been anyone for two days—”

“That’s beside the point, Kora! You’re not thinking. You could’ve gotten yourself killed . . . or us!”

“Cadence wanted to stretch her legs,” she replied sulkily. “It’s nice to hear you speaking to me for the first time indays.” Her tone had taken on her unmissable striking edge. This was it. He’d laugh, and they’d race across the desert, enjoying the thrill of heightened tension.

Blake stilled. His face unreadable, and a chill crept over her despite the baking hot sun burning high above them. Oh.Wait—was he actually angry? At her?

Despite her protective clothing, consisting of a mix of leathers and shirts, her skin iced at the hardened, emotionless stare emitting from him. She tugged on the light, tan bandana wrapped around her head, and nervously wiped the glass of her goggles that protected her eyes from sand blasts.

“Don’t do this. Don’t start acting out because you’re not in charge here.”

The chill turned into a permafrost.He said what?

“What?”

“You’re a captain, Kora. Of the mightyHell’s Serpent,” sarcasm oozed from his mouth. “You need to start acting like it. But out here—out hereI’m in charge.”

“We were both asked to escort the sentinel. It’s a joint effort,” she bit back.

“Not here. You will do asIsay—that’s final.” Blake’s glacial green eyes bore into her unflinchingly. The male wasserious. This wasn’t an act for their relationship. He’d been distancing himself purposefully—all for the sake of authority. For leadership.For a title.

“What’s this patriarchal male bullshit?”

“Kora!” he hissed, motioning to lower her voice. “Erick put me in charge of this mission, and I’m seeing it through. Now get in line. Before someone gets hurt—or killed.”

The words settled in her mind, and she became as quiet as the surrounding tundra. Had his desperation to impress Erick trampled all over their relationship? Was she no longer important to him?

Kora scanned his face, searching for the male who always supported her, who had vowed to serve and be with her to the end. Not even a hint of a smirk, or lust in his gaze. She was greeted with a cold, harsh face. A stranger’s eyes that were not the warm emerald she had grown to love.

“Do not undermine me,” his voice lowered as Samuel and Aryn trotted up the sloping edge of the dune. “You’re here as an escort. I’m here as a leader.”

The words were knives cutting into her skin, into her heart.

“Well then,” she simmered as hot as the Sulfire Sea of the north. “Don’t let me stop you . . .leader.” And as she trotted forwards, edging around Blake’s horse, she leaned over and whispered, “I see all I’m good for is escorting to yourneeds.”