Stella
The brown-haired guard led Bolin and me to one of the great horse beasts. I gripped Bolin’s wrist so hard, my fingernails probably drew blood, but I couldn’t let go. My heart thumped in my throat and my head ached, making my vision blurry.
Bolin and the man exchanged words, then he translated.
“You’ll ride with Rocco. I’ll follow with Maximus.”
I nodded, unable to respond, since my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth.
“Can you get on the horse?” he asked.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“I’ll show you.” Bolin stepped to the waiting horse and guard behind us, raised his foot impossibly high to step onto a hanging object, and jumped into the saddle.
I blinked. He expected me to move like that in my dress?
Upon seeing my expression, Bolin chuckled and dismounted. He muttered something, and the guard standing too close stepped backwards twice.
Bolin tapped my left leg. “Lift this into the stirrup.”
I did, stretching uncomfortably to get my foot high enough.
“Perfect,” he said. “Now, I’ll help. First, my hands go to your waist. Then jump.”
“Alright,” I agreed.
He gripped my hips, steadying me. Calming me.
“Go.”
I jumped, and he pushed up hard enough to get me onto the padding over the creature’s back.
“Well done,” he said, a crooked smile on his face.
“Thank you.”
“Remember, I’m right behind you. Call out if you need me.”
The lines between his brows and the ferocity in his dark eyes proved he meant it. Why did he care so much? My aching brain made it impossible to think, but whatever his reason, I was just grateful for his presence.
The guard, Rocco, mounted the animal and settled his front to my back. I stiffened. He was so close. It unnerved me.
He murmured something, and while I didn’t understand him, his tone conveyed gentleness.
We began. The pure power of the beast beneath me made me gasp. Each clop, each stride, hinted at the strength within its muscular body.
They moved slower than when I saw them in the city earlier. Yet my head throbbed as we rode. I tried to stay upright, but my vision blurred to the point of blindness.
I covered my face to hide my distress. Rocco asked me something and poked my shoulder. It hurt too much to respond.
Bolin
“Catch her!” I shouted.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have worried. Rocco braced her limp form against him. Maximus prodded his horse to walk beside Rocco’s.
“She fainted,” he said, not looking at me.
“I told you the ride might injure her head. We should have walked.”
“I’ve got her,” Rocco replied. “If she passed out after one mile on horseback, how far do you think she could have gone on foot?”
“If this ride has damaged her,” I began.
“She’s fine,” he interrupted.
I bit back the argument brewing within me. They let me accompany her. If I pushed too hard, they’d send me back home. Who would protect her then? She’d forgotten how the world worked. I’d be sent to the void before I let royals deceive her into servitude. At least I intended to return Stella to her family later.
Patrick was right, last night, when he swore we’d lose her.
“What? I figured her magic will boost interest in our work.”
“No. Her healing in public means King Sartorius will seize her once he discovers her abilities.”
“They haven’t indentured a healer in years.”
“Because there aren’t any in sight. They’ll pounce on her like starving dogs.”
An hour later, we arrived at the king’s estate.
Rocco dismounted and pulled Stella into his arms.
“I’ll take her.”
I checked her forehead, but no red seeped through her bandages.
“We’ll go to the king.” Maximus handed the reins to a stable girl.
“Like this?” I asked.
“It’s better if he sees firsthand.” Rocco started toward the royal villa.
We reached the king’s study, and the guards announced us and opened the door.
Prince Fernando stood in the corner, his piercing gaze observing every movement. His eyes widened upon noticing the unconscious healer. King Sartorius stood from his desk and frowned when he saw Stella’s condition.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.
“She collapsed from her injuries on the journey,” Rocco answered. If he felt the strain from carrying her for so long, he didn’t show it.
“Are you sure this is the healer?” Prince Fernando asked.
The king jerked at the question, but he ignored his son.
A broad, muscular man stepped forward. “This is her, Your Highness, and her unconsciousness is not an act.”
How could he tell?
The king considered, then waved his hand. “Take her to a bed and have the royal physician attend to her. And Fernando, go with them.”
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