Page 14 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

Chapter Seven

Wren

E ven though I’m from Texas, it’s been a minute since I was on a horse, and that one was half the size of Jadar. He is not a horse. This is a man and a draft horse, and there’s no saddle and no reins. I have my arms wrapped around Jadar’s naked torso. My cheeks are so hot that I may explode.

High in the blue sky, Adhar circles as if keeping watch. I shudder at what she might be worried will attack us.

Beside me, Liam wears a wide grin that he’s trying to subdue as he rides Belloc as if he’s been bareback on a centaur all his life. His hands are resting easily on his thighs as they gallop past and crash into the river.

I close my eyes and hold on tight as we thrash through the shallow water, then up the bank on the other side.

Jadar laughs. “You are afraid?”

“Yes. If I fall, I’ll break my neck.” I spare an unfortunate glance at the hard ground rushing past. My stomach roils, and I force my gaze ahead to the trees, which are getting closer and closer.

“My gate is even and steady. You will not fall,” he assures me.

“My balance is not steady or sure, Jadar. I do not doubt your abilities. It’s my own I worry over.”

He laughs again, and his shoulders shake. The warm brown of his skin is almost the same color as the hair of the horse part of him.

“I have the impression your people liked my mother.” I can see we have a long ride ahead. It’s better to pass the time with conversation than worry about falling to my death.

“Birdie Martin is the first human I had ever met. She was full of life and flowery speech. She is a kind soul, as I can tell you are.” He slows to a trot as we enter an area with rocks and low bushes.

“Why do your people allow the rest of this world to believe you are a warmongering race who will kill on sight?” I should probably hold my tongue, but it’s not in my nature.

When I want to know something, I ask. I’m not saying that’s never landed me in trouble, but most of the time, I learn something.

A low chuckle rumbles under my hands where I’m clinging to Jadar’s torso.

“You are much like your mother with your direct way of speaking.” He moves to the left to avoid tall brush.

“Centaurs keep to themselves. Our herds have grown strong in the forests and the plains, distant from elven cities and villages. Many centuries ago, we were enslaved by the elves. We won our freedom and retreated to the forests.”

This history is not unfamiliar. I suppose there are good and bad parts to any history. “Do you fear the modern elves would attempt to enslave you?”

“We are many and strong. Never again will the herd be strangled by the yoke of slavery,” he rages.

“Forgive me. I just wonder why all the various peoples of Domhan keep separate rather than join to stand against the witch queen.” I hold my breath, hoping I haven’t insulted the centaur.

He cocks his head and returns to a gallop. “There is history that keeps us apart, but I believe time is the cause.”

“Time?” Like the dragons shifting time? What does that have to do with the apparent prejudices festering in Domhan?

His chest rises and falls on a huff. “So many suns have passed since an elf came into a centaur’s woods, and we have also kept to ourselves. Time creates the widest chasms.”

“I see your point.” My attention drifts back to my nightmare.

Nothing on this journey looks anything like the visions.

I’m tired, emotionally and physically drained from the events of the last few days and the lack of restful sleep last night.

I rest my cheek on his back and close my eyes.

These centaurs are truly beautiful. This world may be worth saving even if I’m not the one to do it.

I need to find my mother. That’s my only quest. I’ll figure out the rest once Momma is safe.

We slow as we near the tree line. The sun and whatever that other orb is are starting their path west. I must have slept for a few hours. It’s a miracle I’m not dead on the ground somewhere. I suppose I have Jadar to thank for keeping me from falling.

To the left is a sheer cliff down to the ocean, and behind us is the wide plain. The forest is dense and the light through the canopy is dim.

Liam drops to his feet and reaches his hands toward me to help me down. “Are you alright?”

My knees and hips are sore from sitting in the same position for so long, and it takes me a moment to gain my footing. “Just stiff.”

“I’m surprised you could sleep on the centaur’s back.” He keeps his hands on my waist while I’m unstable.

“It would seem Jadar is a safe haven for a human woman from Texas, and I feel much more rested with no nightmares.” I grin at Jadar.

“Hmm.” Liam sounds annoyed. “I’m pleased you got the needed sleep.” Still, he doesn’t sound glad.

I spare a thought for him being jealous.

Part of me thinks that’s sweet, and another part says he should use his energy for more useful emotions.

I’m about to tell him so when the forest comes alive with a dozen or more centaurs.

I yelp out of instinct, but immediately put my hand over my mouth and feel my cheeks heat.

Since meeting Liam, every moment feels like a surprise and a strain on my senses.

The centaurs stare at me and Liam with equal interest as they lead the way through the dense trees.

Corell says, “We are going to our home. Son of Elspeth, you will be the first elf to set foot in the Western Centaur dwellings in memory. Daughter of Birdie, you are the second human, perhaps ever, to see such a place.”

“Do you worry we’ll be disrespectful?” Liam asks. He threads his fingers through mine.

Everyone is so much bigger than me that I have to jog to keep up. “Are there rules or customs we should be aware of?”

“You enter with me. I, with my mate, lead this generation. You are the son of a leader. I assume you know how to behave.” Corell gives a half smile and trots ahead.

A minute later, the forest thins, and sun shines into a wide area that serves as the centaurs’ village.

There must be over a hundred homes built in rows like streets.

Some are in the shade, and others are fully in the cleared spaces.

They are open, with roofs that overhang wooden floors.

I would call them porches, but it is clear they are used as living rooms. Centaurs are playing with the young and doing needlework.

A large crowd gathers at the center where a fire burns.

Males and females in armor that covers from their chest to where their bodies become equine.

Some hold spears, and others have swords strapped to their side.

Behind the soldiers stand hundreds of centaurs, unclothed. Females are as bare as the males.

It takes me a moment to adjust to so much flesh and the contrast with the armor shining brightly in the late-day sun.

The crowd parts for Corell, and we follow.

Liam is stiff, and his jaw ticks. His hand sits gently on the hilt of his sword, but he doesn’t wrap his fingers around it or do anything to indicate aggression.

To the right is an enormous kiln putting off heat that I feel from a hundred yards away. A dozen centaurs are working to pound out weapons and armor.

They were planning to go to battle before they found us.

Were they going to try to rescue my mother with or without me?

So many questions about how they live and why they care about a human woman.

I know she saved their young, but these people have kept to themselves for centuries, and it’s mostly kept them safe.

They can avoid that beach and stay clear of the witch queen.

Adhar caws from a tree, but I can’t find her in the leaves. Still, for some reason, I find her presence comforting.

Corell walks into a large meeting room. It’s not enclosed, but the floor is wood and there is a roof. Large cut logs hold the twenty-foot ceiling in place but leave adequate room for centaurs to walk and mill about.

Hundreds of hooves on the wooden floor make me wish it was polite to hold my ears. I restrain myself, but I’m sure I cringe before I can stop myself.

Jadar leans close to my ear. “It’s loud for us as well. Give it a moment and everyone will settle.”

I smile at him and nod.

Corell stands at the front and turns to face the assembly.

Jadar indicates a large box where Liam and I can sit.

Once we’re seated, the centaurs sit back on their haunches, and the clomping stops.

Jadra and Belloc sit behind us. Wellon and Pallon sit facing us with a wide gap between them, where the entire gathering can see Corell.

A female with a glittering chest plate made of silver and pearls sits behind Corell. She gazes intently at Liam and me. When Corell calls for silence, she focuses on him.

“We have found the daughter of Birdie Martin,” Corell says.

The crowd erupts with cheers and applause while staring at me.

My cheeks heat.

Corell holds up his hands, patting the air to call for silence. Once the cheering dies down, his expression turns grave. “As Birdie told us, her daughter travels with an elf.” He gestures to us. “This is Liam, son of the Riordan.”

The crowd erupts in mumbled mutterings.

“Quiet. These two are foreign to us, but Birdie gave herself to save our own, and thus she is one of us. I extend that same bond to her daughter.”

Many centaurs nod in agreement with the statement.

I stare, trying to fathom the idea that I’m now part of a centaur tribe.

“Objections?” Corell calls above the din.

The crowd silences as the female behind Corell stands and strides to his side.

She is stunning, with bright ruby eyes and long blond hair.

Her coat is snow white, though her hooves are black, as is her tail.

She’s striking. “Of course, the daughter of she who saved our son and the other young should be honored in such a way, but you have brought an elf into our midst, mate.” She points at Liam. “What does he want of us?”