Page 34 of Lucifer's Mirror
“Up you get,” Khaosti says.
The saddle looks a long way up. I stare at it as I work out what I’m supposed to do.
“You need a leg up?” Zayne asks.
Maybe. Probably. I put my foot in the stirrup and my hand on the front of the saddle, then push myself up, swinging my leg over Stella’s back. As my body settles onto the leather, I know that I’ve ridden before. Somewhere. This feels so right. I suspect I have a mad grin on my face.
“I can ride,” I say. “I’ve ridden before.”
Khaosti raises an eyebrow but hands me the reins, and I know instinctively how to hold them.
I sit relaxed as Zayne swings himself easily into the saddle, then Khaosti, and it looks like we’re ready to go.
Khaosti leads the way on his big black stallion. I also notice he’s got a sword in a scabbard attached to his saddle. I want a sword—or maybe not. I fall in behind him and Zayne brings up the rear. I glance back over my shoulder. “Thanks, Brown. You’re the best.” Or at least as good as the other Brown. I’ve got to ask Khaos what’s with that.
The house is in a clearing, but within minutes, we’re back in the forest. In the bright morning sun, the woods don’t feel anywhere near as menacing as they did last night, but there’s no real path, and we have to wind our way through the dense trees. At least it’s cool under the thick canopy. There’s a deep carpet of leaves and moss on the ground muffling the horses’ footfalls, and everything is quiet except for the occasional rustle of leaves as the wind whispers through the canopy above our heads.
Stella feels sure-footed, picking her way easily through the forest, occasionally stepping over a fallen limb. I duck under a low branch and then hear Zayne swear behind me. Clearly, he wasn’t paying attention.
After about an hour, the trees start to thin, and the sunlight reaches down between them to warm me. The horses are moving easier now, and we make better time. Finally, we come to the end of the forest. Beyond the trees lies an open expanse of rolling countryside. There’s not a tree in sight, just a smooth carpet of green grass. Stella’s ears prick, and her muscles tighten.
In front of me, Khaosti glances back briefly, then his horse bounds forward, and we’re off. I don’t try to hold Stella back but just lean over her glossy neck and let her run. It’s the best feeling ever—the power and speed, the sun on my back, the wind on my face. I throw back my head and laugh. Whatever happens next, this was worth it. For the first time in three years, I feel… free. And for a while, I forget everything—or rather, I forget that I’ve forgotten everything—and just live in the moment.
By the time Khaosti pulls up his horse, we’ve left the forest far behind. Stella is breathing hard, and her coat gleams with sweat. Up ahead, Khaosti swings off his horse and loosens the girth of the saddle. I do the same, and behind me, Zayne copies our actions.
We lead the horses for a while, letting them rest, but we get back on when we reach a wide, slow-moving river. The horses splash and drink as we cross, and I cling to the saddle as Stella clambers up the opposite bank. We must have been going for a few hours now.
On the other side of the river, we stop for a while and let the horses graze. I think about asking Khaosti some of the questions that have been piling up in my mind, but I’m feeling too happy—not an emotion I’m familiar with—to spoil it with questions when I suspect I might not like the answers. If I even get any, that is. This is a time-out. Then we’re back on, but we walk for a while; there’s still a long way to go. After another hour or so, Khaosti hands us both chunks of crusty bread filled with cheese, and I eat as I ride.
After a few more hours in the saddle, my ass starts to ache.
“Shit, my balls hurt,” Zayne mutters from behind me, and I snigger.
We get off again and lead our mounts for a while to stretch our legs as much as to rest the horses.
Then we’re back on, and it feels like the day will never end. I have no idea how far we’ve come or how much farther Khaosti plans to go today.
I’m guessing—too far.
Chapter 17
Redefining Normal
Wedon’tstopuntilthe sun is low in the sky, and I’m drooping in the saddle. I thought I was tough, but clearly eight-hour shifts at the restaurant did not prepare me for this. Finally, Khaosti pulls to a halt in the lee of a small hill. A stream runs past it, and there’s a grassy bank for the horses to eat.
“This is as good as anywhere,” he says, swinging out of the saddle. He looks as fresh and perky as when we set off. Behind me, Zayne groans as he eases himself down. I just sit there for long minutes, staring at the ground, which looks a long way off. I’m not sure my legs will still work.
Khaosti’s horse is already unsaddled and rolling in the grass, and I suppose I should get off, if only for Stella’s sake. I lower myself slowly to the ground, then rest my forehead against her warm, sweaty shoulder. She nickers, and I force myself to stand up straight. Everything works.
My mind goes blank, and I work on automatic pilot as I untack her, dropping the heavy saddle and bags on the ground, then slipping the bridle over her head. This is something I’ve clearly done before. I wonder if she’ll just wander off and I’ll never see her again, but she heads toward the other horses, rolls, rubbing the sweat of the day from her skin, then puts her head down and grazes.
My stomach rumbles.
I look around and wonder what to do next. I’ve never been camping before. I don’t think Lissa and Pete ever take holidays. They certainly didn’t take us kids camping. That would have been seriously scary.
Shouldn’t we have tents or something? I mean, sleeping under the stars might sound romantic—I glance at Khaos as the thought crosses my mind—and think nope, not going to happen. I shift my attention to Zayne and find him watching me with narrowed eyes. His gaze moves to Khaosti, and his lower lip juts out, the way it does when he’s pissed off.
Anyway, this situation is sonotromantic, and when you factor in the potential for scary monster attacks—a shudder runs through me as an image of red eyes flashes in my mind—never mind serenading wolves. I’d really like something between me and the elements. But really, what sort of tent would keep monsters out?
