“Are you certain the horses can make it?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’ve brought us to the narrowest part. You’ll need to hold on tight and trust your horse. Follow me. We’ll rest on the other side.”
Aerity lifted what she could of her belongings and raised them from the horse’s side to its back, then hiked up her dress to her hips. By the time they got to the middle of the river, she could sense her horse pushing hard to battle the current and stay straight on course behind Harrison.
Harrison peered out at the river and yelled something she couldn’t quite make out. She looked as well and saw darkness moving in the water. Within seconds something slid against her leg and Aerity screamed. She let go of the reins, and her horse gave a buck of fear. Aerity splashed into the water, going completely under. She came up sputtering to the sound of Harrison yelling, “Swim!”
She got her bearings and tread water as the school of widemouth fish finished swimming past. For sea’s sake! She’d been frightened by fish! Thankfully her horse had calmed and was moving quickly now. She felt her hair against her neck and realized it had come out of the bun. When she looked at the water by her shoulder she could see dye spreading and disappearing.
“My hair!” She tried her best to grasp it and pile it atop her head as her feet kicked and she swam toward the shore.
Harrison was atop his horse on the bank, laughing at her as she trudged out, panting, still holding her wet locks. She let her hair fall to the side and gave it a gentle squeeze, whimpering when she saw more dye spill to the ground.
“My hair,” she said again.
“Really, princess, since when are you so vain and frightened by water?”
“It’s the dye,” she told him. “Has it all been washed away?”
His laughter stopped. “Nay, it is still brown.”
Aerity worked to dry it, trying to handle it as little as possible. It looked dark from what she could see, but hair always looked darker when wet.
“Harrison, you must swear to me you will tell me if the color lightens. I have more dye, but I have to use it sparingly. You have to make a habit of keeping an eye on my silly hair since I have no looking glass. I cannot afford to be recognized.”
“I swear it, Aerity.”
His solemn eyes were sincere, and she started to relax.
Her horse drank from the edge of the river while Aerity changed. She approached the animal and scratched his jawline.
“I’m sorry I startled you in the water,” she told him.
He turned and nuzzled her neck, making her laugh. Then, as had become his habit, he reached around and pressed his nose to her chest, snorting.
“No! Those aren’t apples, you silly thing.” She pushed his head gently away and stood, patting his neck. Even her fear of horses had slightly diminished. But only slightly.
“Are you hiding your treats from him again?” Harrison asked from his place by the fire. Aerity walked past him and swatted his head with her damp stockings. He merely chuckled and continued to roast a wild rabbit that he’d caught.
“I’ve never seen you with hair on your face,” Aerity mused.
Harrison brought a hand up and ran it down the stubble there. “Aye. Do I look dapper?”
“Nay, you look like a rogue version of yourself. But I rather like it. I think your secret love would, as well.”
He gave a grunt, and Aerity bit back a smile.
Through the woods, Aerity heard a group passing in a horse-drawn cart. Harrison stood, managing to appear menacing.
“Stand near your horse, Aerity. Be ready to mount, if needed.”
The traveling party seemed to slow when they caught sight of Aerity and Harrison’s camp. The princess quickly tied her pack to the side of her saddle and tried not to appear as panicked as she felt. They’d seen few travelers since they’d been in the woods, and all had made her anxious.
Harrison whispered, “Looks like a Lochlan-style cart and workhorse.”
As they neared, Harrison raised a hand in friendly greeting and the unsmiling man at the reins slowly raised a hand in response. Aerity’s heart pounded as the two men in the seat and a man in the back of the cart stared until they passed from sight.
“How much longer until we reach Kalor?” Aerity asked.
