Page 36 of Tricky Princess

14

Ellea

EIGHT DAYS IN HEL

Ellea hadn’t been on a horse since her mid-teens. Her grandmother owned two, and they used to go riding around the manor’s property after school or tutoring. Sometimes they’d even take long rides along the coast on the weekends. After both horses aged to their thirties, it was time for them to enjoy the sun in the green pastures, and Ellea brought them treats any time she was there. The horse beneath her was the very opposite of her old, fat gelding. This mare, Mhairi, felt more like a small dragon as it snorted around every corner, probably attempting to scare off any beasts that may be lurking.

Duhne had brought her to the royal stables that morning and introduced her to the stablehand who managed the many stalls and beasts. Some of them looked more demon than horse with varied coats, eyes, and even wings. Ellea had eyed a winged horse closely, but when she grinned up at Duhne, about to open the stall door, he shook his head and brought her to this one instead.

“Easy, girl,” Ellea cooed. “You aren’t in a battle anymore, you’re only taking me for a tour.”

The mare tossed her head.

“How about we go for a gallop once I get my sea legs and visit more of Hel?”

Fire-red ears perked up, and she whinnied in response. Ellea chuckled and patted her large neck.

“They keep you well-fed and fit for being retired.”

The horse stomped once, like it was insulted by the term “retired.”

“I think I’ve seen you in a vision before,” she said, caressing her neck. “You wore gold and black armor and looked magnificent with a very handsome male atop you.”

The horse huffed in agreement.

“I will bet you ten apples you were deadly,” she said.

The horse raised her head high and bounced it up and down, lips flapping. Ellea gathered up the reins again and directed the mare around the next bend. The horse was actually leading, but they were both too proud to admit who was in charge. She had a feeling that the beast knew where to take her.

After an hour on their higher-up trail, they made their way to flatter ground. There was a sea to her left and a valley to her right. She was close to the divide she had been studying for some time. Breathing in deeply, she relished the fresh air that filled her lungs. The sun warmed her upturned face, and she felt peaceful. The sound of lapping waves reminded her of the water crashing outside the manor. Waves? the thought broke through her bliss. She hadn’t seen waves on their trek down, only smooth, calm water.

Ellea looked toward the splashing and saw a young woman trying to find a grip on the rock wall, but her dark hands kept slipping. She looked utterly human, mortal, and in her thirties. Ellea kicked Mhairi, urging her toward the beach and to the woman.

The horse traveled up the small cliff that was about ten feet high, and Ellea hopped off when they got close. The mare stayed in place. Ellea threw herself on her stomach, reaching for the woman.

“Here!” Ellea yelled at her.

“Fuck,” the woman cursed.

Why wasn’t the woman happy to see her?

“Let me help you,” she said, reaching further.

A vice-like grip clamped onto her booted foot and she was thrown closer to the woman. Mhairi was helping. The woman reluctantly grabbed onto Ellea’s hand, and the horse pulled them back up. Ellea stood before helping the woman.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” the woman grumbled. “You found me, I’ll go back on my own.”

She began to stalk off without another word.

“Wait!” Ellea ran a few steps toward her. “I didn’t try to find you. Where are you going to go back to?”

The woman looked her up and down and over at the horse that was a step behind, following Ellea wherever she went.

“Aren’t you a guard?” she asked.

A giggle escaped from her throat.