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The beast at my side snuffled my head again.

“His name is Blue.” The horned attendant bowed to me. “I can hold the reins for you while you mount, Highness.”

I flinched at the title. “Call me Kent.”

“Very well, H—Kent. Will the lady also require a mount?”

Rue stepped closer, pressing against my side.

“She rides with me.”

“Then you best mount. I will assist in hefting her up behind once you settle.” I hurried to do just that.

Blue, despite or perhaps because of his unusual name, stood patiently as I adjusted my seat. Then I reached down and caught Rue’s elbow, only then realizing she still wore only the threadbare cloak she had the previous night. It wouldn’t be adequate if we traveled far. However, I could see from the surrounding frenzy there was no time to fetch an additional.

“Get under my cloak,” I instructed as she settled behind me.

“What?” Rue asked, clinging to my shoulders.

“Quickly, pull my cloak over you before the group sets off. We won’t have time once we are moving. The wind can bite when one is riding, and you aren’t dressed for the rain that is coming. I could feel the weather change in the air.”

The mounted fae around Greyson were breaking away from their tight knot. I saw the form of my mother riding behind a pale-haired sprite. As the group scattered, Mela’s small dark head peeked out from the folds of the Dullahan’s heavy black cloak. From the way the fae lord’s large hand supported Mela’s slender back, anyone could see he intended that no one would harm the child.

“Hurry,” I admonished Rue. Together, we worked the cloak edges from beneath her and Rue wrapped herself in the layers.

“It is awkward,” she protested. “And you will be cold.”

“I can endure a chill at my back, if you are warm.”

“No, this will help.” Slender arms wrapped around my middle, stealing my breath from my lungs as she pressed herself against my back. “I can at least keep you warm.”

It took me a moment of slow breathing to settle the sudden pounding in my chest as my magic punched through my thorax. Rue’s grip on my waist loosened, but I caught one of her hands before it could disappear beneath the cloak.

“Are you well?” the attending male standing at Blue’s head asked, frowning up at me.

I nodded as I stifled a cough to cover my surprise at the magical response to Rue’s abrupt closeness.

“Warmer?” Rue asked in a whisper that only reached my ears.

“Yes,” I assured them both. I tightened my grip on her hand, pressing it against my ribs, causing my heart to pound all the harder.

Apparently appeased, the attendant handed me Blue’s reins and hurried to his own mount. A horn blew, signaling something, for every head and horse turned toward the blast.

The horn blower let out a great shout. Then Blue and the rest of the company leapt forward.

As one company, at least a hundred horses burst from our humble barnyard and galloped due north toward the path that I had avoided all my life, the one that led toward the border where human lands gave way to Unseelie territory.

“Keep your head down,” I admonished Rue as I leaned over Blue’s neck. “Mind the branches.”

Rue tightened her grip on my ribs and pressed her cheek to my back, nestling her head between my shoulder blades. I could feel the flutter of her fear through her magic as it mingled with mine and threaded back and forth between us, forming a connection that I feared neither of us were ready for. However, I wasn’t going to break it. Perhaps I had promised more than I had intended, but I would fulfill my oath, regardless. I would protect her.

Beneath us, Blue’s hooves pounded the dirt, kicking up grass as he tore through the trees at a speed that would’ve caused any normal horse to kill itself and its rider. Around us, a company of riders and horses ebbed and flowed. All the horses galloped forward through the leafy depths and shadows of the wood. A distant horn echoed through the trees and suddenly, a gray ghostly rider more shadow than form appeared at my side.

I didn’t recognize Greyson until he spoke. “We approach the border now. Your mother’s escort will turn off to deal with her mark before crossing the border. They will rejoin us later.”

“Faster!” Mela’s delighted squeal as she stuck her head out from the shelter of the Dullahan’s arm made him laugh.

“You are going to have a challenge keeping this one safe,” Greyson called over the wind as he adjusted his grip on Mela.