Page 37 of Hawk & Sparrow

Vesper shook her head. “I’m fine.” She was almost certain that was true. Her legs were tingling as though a thousand tiny pins had pricked them simultaneously, but she wasn’t in any physical pain.

“I’ve never seen anything like that.” Maximilian glanced in the direction the horse had been taken, looking bewildered. “It was almost as though the horse was—”

“Vesper!”

Vesper looked up. Several women were running in her direction, Mrs. Oelrich and Ada leading them. Were it not for the worry etched on their faces, Vesper might have found the sight of them, a crowd of fluttering dresses, absurdly funny. Ada reached her first and took her by both shoulders. Her eyes were wide. “Are you all right?”

“I think so,” Vesper said slowly. “I’m just…” Without warning, one of her knees buckled beneath her. Maximilian caught her, holding her upright.

“You’re in shock,” said Ada. “We need to move you to a chair. Maximilian, can you carry her?”

Maximilian hoisted her off the ground.

Vesper started to protest, to say that she was perfectly capable of walking, but her hands had begun to tremble, and her mouth felt oddly dry. It was beginning to dawn on her how close she’d come to being trampled to death. Suddenly, she was exhausted.

“Where can we go?” Maximilian asked.

“The medical tent,” said Ada. “She needs somewhere quiet to sit.”

Maximilian carried her past the other watching spectators and up a small hill away from the field. She tried to say thank you, but a new fatigue had set in that made even keeping her eyes open difficult. More people were watching them, but she focused on Maximilian. He was cradling her against him. She thought of how heavy she must be in all the layers of clothing she was wearing, but if the sorcerer was struggling, he gave no sign of it as he walked. She turned her head, relieved to see the white medical tent up ahead. It was more or less a large white canopy furnished with a table of medical supplies and a few chairs, but it was blessedly empty.

“I’m going to set you down,” said Maximilian. “Are you all right to stand?”

Vesper nodded. The gentleness in Maximilian’s voice was disarming, so unlike the cocky man she was used to bantering with. He put her on her feet. The phantom pins in her legs were still there, but already Vesper was feeling steadier.

“I’m all right now, really,” she said. “Thank you both for your help.”

The expression on Ada’s face was decidedly skeptical. “I’m still going to go find some water.” She nodded toward the tent. “Are you happy to stay here?”

“I need to step away a moment,” said Maximilian. He turned to Vesper. “Will you be all right?”

Vesper nodded. In truth, she was more concerned about Maximilian. His skin was still milk white, and his eyes looked glassy and unfocused.

“Mr. Kite, are you well?”

The sorcerer gave her a wan smile. “Perfectly fine. I’ve just overexerted. Nothing a quick water break can’t fix. I’ll be back.”

Vesper nodded, almost relieved when both Maximilian and Ada left. She sat in one of the empty chairs under the pavilion and took several deep breaths, relishing the crisp air. The brain fog was lifting as the adrenaline dissipated. In its place came clarity.

Maximilian had possibly just saved her life.

She didn’t understand exactly how he’d done it, how he’d reached her so fast and gotten her out of harm’s way, but somehow, he’d restrained that horse without laying so much as a hand on it.

Vesper cast her gaze to the field. It seemed the match had already resumed, with another player standing in for Maximilian. Vesper thought of the way he’d looked at her before. There’d been real worry on the sorcerer’s face, real concern for her. Her stomach swooped at the thought of that, but she couldn’t explain why.

“Excuse me, hello! Do you mind if I sit?”

Vesper looked up. Her thoughts had been so consumed by Maximilian that she hadn’t noticed the young woman approaching. Vesper started. The young woman was wearing a different dress today, but her dark round eyes were unmistakable.

It was the girl from the maze. Bess.

The young woman settled into a chair next to her. “I just needed a place to sit down for a moment. I’m in a sorry state.” She lifted the hem of her dress slightly to reveal a very swollen ankle.

“Goodness,” said Vesper. “That looks awful.”

Bess’s smile was grim. “Serves me right, walking around a muddy polo field in heels.” She rolled her eyes. “Truth be told, I think I’d be happier barefoot.”

“There’s some medical tape here.” Vesper gestured. “You could try binding up your ankle.” She handed her the roll. “Keeping it elevated should help with the swelling.”