Page 78 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

They’ll try to kill us , the sleipnir said. I sense their fear.

What do we do?

Pray it takes Halmar a long time to get through the river. Or we’ll have attackers on both sides. You did well with the arrow.

Let’s hope our luck doesn’t run out, she said, trying not to let the anomaly go to her head.

They were gaining ground, catching up to the two sleipnirs with every passing second.

The two riders drew together until they were side by side, exchanging something. What it was, she couldn’t say. She saw nothing in their hands, yet they let go of their reins. They spread apart again, riding neck and neck. Her suspicion only grew as they slowed.

Something’s wrong, she warned. We should slow down.

The sleipnir listened, slowing its pace. Rose peeked behind her, seeing if anyone was following them. To her disappointment, Halmar was exiting the river despite his shoulder wound.

She cursed in her mind. Halmar is nearly out of the river, and he looks vengeful.

How far? the sleipnir asked.

Not far enough with these two slowing us down, she replied, wondering if it was their intention—no doubt to scare her into retreating back with the others, letting them finish her off.

Her mind reeled. Her eyes searched for something—anything—to give her a hint of what they were plotting. A flicker of a glare caught her eye. She squinted, looking closer to ensure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her. Another glare glinted in the dim sunlight, soft and subtle, but it was there.

They were going to clothesline them.

They’re holding a rope between them, she warned.

I can’t see anything. Are you sure?

Yes, she confirmed confidently.

They were getting close—too close. They would have to act, and quickly. Rose put on a brave mask, taking the risk.

Faster, she urged. When I say get down, lower your head as far as you can.

I will, the sleipnir replied, trusting her with its life.

She readied herself, adrenaline pulsing within her. If it hit them, it would string the sleipnir first, and she’d be crushed or trampled. Neither of which she would survive. If she didn’t time this exactly right, they’d both be dead.

She held her breath as she watched the invisible rope inch closer, the glare approaching them.

NOW!

The sleipnir immediately ducked its head as she threw herself backward, pressing her back flush with the sleipnir’s.

The rope hovered just above her, whizzing by, but not before she managed to seize it with her hands, twisting her body as she sat back up.

She held on, knowing her next move might throw her off the sleipnir.

She clutched the creature with her thighs and, with all her strength, yanked on the rope.

The sudden force wrenched the riders forward off their sleipnirs, sending both crashing to the ground, vanishing under their pounding hooves.

Rose flinched away.

Her sleipnir skipped with glee. You did it!

Rose glanced back to see if Halmar was still following. To her dismay, the distraction had allowed him to catch up, effortlessly leaping over the wreckage they’d left behind. He ignored the fallen riders, his gaze fixed solely on Rose.

Faster, she urged. Halmar is close.

I can’t, the sleipnir said. We’re almost at the mud pits. If we hit with full speed, I could break a leg.

Rose’s attention moved further down the track. The sky was completely gray now, cracking with thunder. The good news was the finish line was coming up sooner than she thought. They just had to get through the mud pits and they’d be home free.

The hopeful thought they’d glide over the mud pits like the water was shattered as her sleipnir sunk knee-high in the muck. It was far deeper than she’d anticipated, the sleipnir struggling to lift its legs.

I’m stuck! the sleipnir grunted in frustration.

She glanced back to see Halmar plunge into the mud pits, closing in on them. She had to do something.

Light rain began to fall as she dismounted the sleipnir, her flats sinking into the cool mud as she kicked them off.

The lightened weight helped, but it wasn’t enough.

Rose pushed with all her might to free him, but her feet kept slipping.

She was so preoccupied, she almost didn’t hear the footsteps running up?—

A hand grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her backward into the mud.

Rose! her sleipnir called out.

The rain turned into a downpour as she rolled, becoming coated in a wet, muddy mess.

She tried to get up, but Halmar reached her before she could.

He knelt above her, putting his hand on her breasts, pressing her into the mud.

His grotesque face twisted into a sick smirk as he squeezed them, forcing her deeper into the muck. He was going to suffocate her.

She clawed at the mud, desperate to escape, until she remembered the knife hidden under her dress. Not wasting a moment, she drew it and struck the hilt of the dagger against the side of his skull.

Halmar recoiled. Taking her opportunity, she stood, but as she did, Halmar grabbed her ankle, grunting loudly, still on his hands and knees. His grip tightened with such intensity that she swore she felt something snap. She wanted to cry out, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

With an irritated grunt, she swung the knife at his throat. He dodged her strike, but the distraction, combined with the slick mud, allowed her ankle to slip free.

Without sparing a moment, she sprinted back through the rain, ignoring the sharp pain in her ankle. Her sleipnir stood by, having managed to free its hoof from the mud. He crouched low, allowing her to mount swiftly.

Together, they raced away out of the mud pit.

Without warning, other riders caught up. One passed them… then another… then one more.

We’re on the home stretch, the sleipnir said with determination. Now we fly.

Now we fly, Rose repeated.

He bolted into a gallop at top speed. She pressed her body close to his back, trying to remain light, ignoring the pain shooting from her ankle.

He projected them forward with such speed, she was forced to hunch her back, grasping his mane with every bit of strength she had as rain droplets pelleted her skin.

They passed the third rider… then the second… and still they flew, accelerating so fast, she was certain the sleipnir’s hooves were barely scraping the ground.

As they neared the finish line, the chants and screams from the sidelines filled her ears.

The white ribbon was only feet away when she and her sleipnir caught up with the last rider, racing head to head. Her sleipnir’s speed remained steady as they soared through the air, overtaking the final rider and crossing the finish line first.

A roar of adoration exploded from the crowd.

She couldn’t believe it— they’d won!