Page 26 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

Chapter Thirteen

Wren

I t takes a full day to reach the river, but I’m told that in the south, the Naomh River splits in two, and the villagers will have taken the eastern fork while we are on the western fork.

It will be three more days before we reach the main source, then another two before we finally reach Tús Nua and Liam’s home.

Adhar flies above us, keeping watch. The tug of a connection to the raven niggles at the outskirts of my attention.

Jadar is quiet compared to his usual teasing.

Perhaps I should break the ice. “Do you know much about familiars, Jadar?”

His shoulders pull back, and he holds his head an inch higher. “It is unusual for a centaur to have an animal who serves them, but I have read about them in the village scrolls.”

“What do the scrolls say?”

He’s at a smooth canter, and it doesn’t seem like carrying me makes his work any harder.

He speaks as if we were both at rest. “Familiars are animal guides or partners. They are said to be sent by the old gods or at least with old magic. The reason one person is chosen to be the subject of a familiar is not certain, but it is considered a great honor. Even Adhar may not know why she was compelled to find you.”

It makes no sense. “So, she’ll follow me around for the rest of my life or hers. What is the purpose?”

“The scrolls say that a familiar will merge with the subject over time. You should be able to sense things from Adhar.”

I search the sky and find my feathered friend circling over us. “What kinds of things? So far, she’s only told me her name and given us some warning of danger.”

“She also brought healing to Liam. Leighis berries are scarce and don’t grow anywhere near here.” A soft scolding tone replaces Jadar’s shyness.

“That’s true.” It’s not that I don’t appreciate the beautiful white raven and her attachment to me. It just feels as if there should be more.

“The scrolls say that a witch with a familiar can tap into the senses of the animals. I read a story of an elf who saw the world through the eyes of her cat. When the cat sneaked into the enemy camp, the elf saw the number of soldiers, the layout, and how many were on watch. She was able to count the arrows and swords. That’s a handy gift.

” Jadar shifts with the turn of the river.

Ahead of us, Liam is on Belloc’s back. They’re keeping pace with Corell. Liam’s shoulders are broad and his back straight as he talks to the centaur leader.

The grassland is flat and dotted with trees. Long blades sway with the wind and remind me of the Gulf of Mexico, where we’d go on vacation in the summer.

Momma is laughing with Pallon and Wellon as if they have been friends all their lives.

“Do you think it’s possible I could see through Adhar’s eyes?” I find her in the sky once again.

“I think you would need to ask her for that connection,” he says in a sage tone, which doesn’t suit him.

I try not to laugh, but a short chuckle escapes.

“You say that as if I’m in communication with the bird.

It’s not as if she speaks words to me. It’s more like impulses.

” I think about the moments when she did speak to me.

“Though when she told me her name, I heard the word in my mind. However, it wasn’t a voice. It’s hard to explain.” Even to myself.

“Ask, Wren. There is no harm.” He warns me to hold on as we jump a small stream, then continue following the larger river north.

It’s foolish to expect the raven to serve me. I shake off the notion. “I wasn’t sure you would wish to carry me anymore.”

Looking over her shoulder, he meets my gaze. A slight blush rises on his face before he looks ahead. “It is my honor to bear you. However, if you are uncomfortable, other arrangements can be made.”

“No.” I wonder how Momma would handle this. She’d be direct, and once everyone was mortified, they’d get over it. “I’m flattered that you’re attracted to me.”

“But you could never look at a centaur with those feelings.” He says it matter-of-factly and without any malice.

“That’s not true. I think you are very handsome.”

His shoulders pull back farther, and if I were in front of him, I imagine I’d see a puffed-out chest. “Then there is hope?”

“I’m afraid there is not. I think fate decided that Liam was for me long before I met him or you. As kind as your feelings are, I was always going to love Liam.” I hope not to hurt his feelings, but honesty is always best.

“I understand. Can we remain friends?” A fallen tree lies in the way, and Jadar must swerve to keep from stumbling over it. He grips my arm at his side to keep me in place.

Catching my breath, I hold him tighter and close my eyes until we’re back to a steady pace. “Of course. I hope we will always be good friends.”

“That gives me pleasure. Now, as your friend, I suggest you try to talk to your raven and ask to look through her eyes. There is no need to feel foolish or to be afraid. I am the only one who will know if you fail.” There is no need to see his face to know he’s grinning.

“Ugh. You tricked me. Fine. I’ll try.” I force some displeasure into my voice. “Just don’t knock me to the ground while my eyes are closed.”

He places his hand over mine. “I will keep you safe.”

Closing my eyes, I think of Adhar. I send my thoughts to her high in the bluish-purple sky. Adhar, can I see what you see? Will you let me?

At first, I feel nothing but foolish for trying to send my thoughts up to an animal.

The newly familiar sensation of Adhar’s presence sweeps through me.

It’s as if another part of my mind, one that's new and different, has opened. A moment later, I open my eyes and I’m soaring through the air.

I feel the lift of a current under my wings and soar higher.

The clouds are so close, I can almost touch them.

Below, the land is flat, and the river splits the plains as they rise toward hills.

Far in the distance, I see the hazy outline of mountains.

Centaurs run in a triangular formation. From here, I can see Jadar in the center with me on his back… What? How?

Adhar croaks loudly several times.

I blink and I’m disoriented and slightly dizzy. I grip Jadar for life. Then it passes, and the wonder of what I’ve just done rushes into me. “I did it. I saw you and the river from the air. I saw hills and trees. The wind whipped through my feathers. It was amazing.”

“I wish I could fly, but I think centaurs are not meant to leave the ground.”

Considering where I am, it’s not strange that my mind immediately goes to Pegasus. “In my world, there are myths about flying horses. Not like centaurs, but they are winged. Now that I’m here and see how many myths from the books are real, perhaps there is a flying horse?”

“That would be something to see, but I’ve never heard of horses with wings. Perhaps that myth is from some other world.” He slows to a trot as Corell holds up a hand, indicating we’ll be resting near the river.

“How many worlds with life on them are there?” Legs tired, I slide off his back and have to hold on a moment before I can get my feet under me.

Holding an arm out for me to grab, he shrugs. “More than I can count and probably many more that we know nothing about.” He cocks his head. “In your world, you don’t use the portals?”

“No. No one even knows they exist. Most people think we are alone. Besides, humans don’t normally have magic to open the portals.” I don’t bother to tell him that if they did know, they would probably be terrified and want to destroy any means of reaching Earth.

“It’s arrogant to believe you are alone in the universe.” His tone is flat.

“It is.” What else can I say? Humans are fools to believe they are the only sentient life in the universe. Still, I won’t be the one to tell them any different. They’d call me mad and lock me away.

Liam strides over without the slightest signs of having been on a centaur's back for hours. “How was your ride?”

“Fine,” I lie. “I can see through Adhar’s eyes. Jadar is a wealth of information about familiars.”

As if hearing her name, the white raven lands atop a tree at the edge of the river. She croaks loudly and fluffs her feathers.

“That might be useful. I wonder what else your feathered friend offers.” He shades his eyes to stare at her on her perch.

“I’m glad to be rescued, but my bottom feels as if a bear has mauled me,” Momma says as she hobbles over.

Liam and I laugh. Jadar smiles.

I lean against Liam. “How long will we rest?”

Kissing the top of my head, he says, “Long enough to eat and drink.”

A low, miserable groan rolls out of my mouth before I can stifle it. “Sorry. Momma’s description isn’t far off. I suppose I’ll get used to it eventually.” Even as I say it, I doubt it.

On the third day, I think I’ll go mad from the constant bouncing, even with Jadar’s smooth gait.

I suddenly have a great deal more respect for cowboys.

At least they have saddles. With just a thick blanket between my bottom and Jadar, I feel every muscle movement and the ridge of his spine.

I can only imagine the bruises back there and on my inner thighs.

There’s a tingle of awareness in my head, and I look up to find Adhar. She sounds a shrill alarm. I push my thoughts to hers. Show me, Adhar.

A moment later, I’m airborne with the sky around me and my friends far below.

Adhar’s cries force my attention forward.

A dark cloud draws closer from the west. I wonder if the raven is telling me of bad weather coming, but my gut tightens, knowing this is something else.

The cloud moves against the wind in a steady push directly toward us.

Snapping back into my own head, I scream, “Shadow demons,” and point to the west.

There are no trees for cover. We’re completely exposed, riding through an open plain.

Liam narrows his gaze. “It might be a cloud. Dark magic only two days from Tús Nua shouldn’t be possible.”

“That is no cloud. I’ve seen it from Adhar’s eyes.”