I thought of the pumpkins on my walk up to the castle. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ll keep everyone fed.”
He gave me a sad smile. “Thanks to you and what you learned about Phaetyn blood, I don’t believe we will need to worry about that. My father had vials of blood that Prince Kamoi has given permission for us to use to renew the land. It will likely last several decades. We’ll have plenty of food to fill the emperor’s quota, send the expected supply to the other two kingdoms, and have ample amounts to feed our own. My plan is to establish a ticket system people can use as a means to exchange for food from our royal market stands.”
“Like using coin.”
“Yes, but worthless for anything other than picking up food rations each week. The system will be based on need, not wealth or status.”
I smiled. “I like that idea.”
Dyter and the others approached with our steeds. I eyed the beasts nervously. Tyrrik separated from the others, leading two of the horses. As he approached, he passed me the strap of leather attached to my horse. It was like a looped leash.
The others mounted, and the king spoke to us, stepping to one side. “I wish you Drae’s speed on your journey, my friends. When the time comes to fight, I shall be beside you, an army at my back.”
After a mumbled goodbye, the others looked at me, still holding the strap attached to my horse. I tugged the leash but scooted away as the animal came toward me.
A low sigh alerted me to Tyrrik’s approach. I glanced up to see him stalking toward me.
How was it that the horses didn’t want to run away when he looked like that? He could eat them in one gulp in his Drae form. But my horse just stayed next to me, waiting.
“You don’t know how to ride,” he stated.
I blustered and stuttered, hating to admit that I was once again the weakest link.
Tyrrik raised a brow, and I deflated, saying, “No.”
“Sorry, Rynnie. I forgot,” Dyter said, tucking a case into his saddlebag with a nod to the king.
My friend wasn’t even looking at me and didn’t seem the least bit sorry, so I scowled his way.
“I’ve just got to sit on the thing?” I asked, assessing the horse. They didn’t look all that big until I was standing next to one. But how hard could it be?
The Drae paused. “There is a little more to it than that. Perhaps you best ride with me for a few hours.”
The polite fa?ade we’d kept up so far disintegrated in an instant. The idea of having Tyrrik’s arms around me left me nauseated and chilled. “I’d rather ride with the emperor.”
His painful inhale was the only indication my words had achieved their purpose. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down around him. I wouldn’t let him lull me back into his twisted web.
A heavy moment passed before Tyrrik averted his inky eyes. With a clenched jaw, he stepped closer, though. His hands were at my waist, burning through my aketon and skirt for a scant beat before I found myself atop the horse. He withdrew contact as soon as I was situated.
I adjusted to sit astride the mount, hiking my long skirt up to the knee. The Drae’s eyes fell to the now bared skin of my calf, and heat filled my cheeks.
Without meeting his gaze, I asked, “Now what?”
He closed his eyes, clicked his tongue, and the horse moved forward.
I gathered the reins and held on for dear life, the feel of the horse’s shoulders rolling beneath me utterly foreign. But I didn’t fall off, so as I reached the others, I offered a cheeky smile and called, “You better get trotting ahead of me. I don’t know how to stop this thing.”
Dyter grinned and clicked his tongue. “Don’t worry, my girl. We have four days to teach you on the way.”
Lord Tyrrik rode beside me, and I forced myself to ignore him. I let my gaze wander as we rode away from the castle. Over the Quota Fields which now displayed vibrant-green growth, then the bustling Market Circuit, then the prosperous Money Coil. As we exited the Inbetween, I marveled at the growth of the plants of Verald.
When we reached the Penny Wheel, Tyrrik drew near.
“By nightfall, we’ll be out of Verald and in the mountains of Gemond.”
I’d never been out of Verald before. In my memory, anyway. Then again, I’d never experienced a lot of things before three months ago. Most of which I’d never asked for.
“But this far into the outskirts of Gemond, King Zakai has little control over the nomads who roam there. You should not wander by yourself. Especially not tonight.”
Tonight. Another change I’d never asked for would be added to my list. Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Wonderful. I can’t wait.”
“Happy eighteenth birthday,” Dyter said, pulling his horse up next to mine. “I had plans to make you a muffin.”
“What happened?”
He shrugged. “The only kitchen was in The Raven’s Hollow, and that was destroyed in untimely fashion.”
I smiled. “Well, I thank you for the thought of planning to make me a muffin.”
“How’re you doing, anyway?” he asked then jerked a thumb at my horse. “You’re a natural rider.”
I raised my eyebrows at his blatant lie. My legs ached from sitting astride the animal for so long, and I was sure the steed was just as tired of me as I was of it. An hour ago, Tyrrik had informed me I didn’t need to clench my legs so tight, that I’d stay on top even without clinging for dear life. I’d tried to relax, really I had, but I found myself, time and again, squeezing my legs to make sure I didn’t slide off. After hours of riding, every single muscle in my body was taut, and my emotions were just as knotted. “I’m freaking amazing,” I drawled. “Never better, in fact.”
We hadn’t stopped for lunch, just once for a bush restroom stop. Whatever fluids I’d consumed hadn’t been enough. What I really wanted was some of that nectar Tyrrik used to give me. But he hadn’t offered me any in the last four days. Unsurprising when I’d made it clear I wanted nothing to do with him. Which also meant I couldn’t ask him for nectar either.
“For it being your first time on a horse, you really are doing well,” Dyter amended. “I’m sorry this is tough and so soon after . . . well, everything.”
His kindness undid me. My eyes welled with tears, and I stared up at the blue sky until I could blink them away.
“Come now, Lord Dyter,” Prince Kamoi said, drawing near. “Don’t upset our beautiful companion.”
He smiled at me, and I couldn’t help returning the gesture. Something about the Phaetyn prince infused me with warmth. I liked to think it was the qualities of his personality, but I suspected a fair portion of the warmth was due to more superficial traits.
“Tell me, my Ryn, what was your childhood like? Tell me your favorite foods, your favorite colors, your favorite everything. I want to know all about you.”
Tyrrik growled. “Maybe she doesn’t want to tell you.”