“Mads—”
“Don’t youMadsme, Leo Knight,” Maddie declared, straightening as she held up a drawstring bag that clinked faintly. “Besides, Lacey and I have been working on a couple of tricks to help.”
Phoenix frowned. “Maddie, we don’t have a horse for you—”
“She can ride with me,” I said, voice clear and final.
I reached down. She grinned and grabbed my forearm, letting me haul her up behind me.
“Mads, you’re not even field-ready,” Leo tried again, his brows drawing.
“Excuse you,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “I was a second-year Shade. I’m trainedenough.”
“But—”
“Enough.” I cut in, voice firm. “Maddie stays.”
“Naw,” she cooed from behind me, arms looped around my waist, “Iknewyou secretly loved me.”
She leaned closer to Leo, tone mock-sweet.
“Besides, keep arguing and I’ll tie you down with vines and leave you for the vultures.”
I laughed—really laughed.
“I wouldloveto see that fight,” I choked out between chuckles.
Leo smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yuck it up, Shadow-girl.”
Phoenix’s voice drifted from behind us—dry as ever.
“Let me know when we’re done threatening each other. Some of us are trying to prepare for war.”
That shut us up—mostly.
The trip was set to take us several days.
I wasn’t a rider. Not even close. But how hard could it be? Just sit there and let the horse do the work.
Right?
Wrong.
By the time we reached first camp, my thighs werescreaming.
The spot we had chosen was near a lake so we could get fresh water. I slid off that horse, staring at it like it was the devil incarnate. Around us, the other soldiers disembarked and began to set up camp.
Maddie slid off behind me, groaning. “Stars above, I think I’ve bruised my bruises.”
“You’re not the one who did the actualriding,” I muttered, trying to walk like a human again.
Maddie cackled. “You look hilarious. I hope you know that.”
“Great,” I grumbled, easing myself down against the nearest tree.
The bark was rough. The ground was hard. But it was still better than the saddle.
“Gods,” I groaned. “I guess I should set up my tent.”
