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“I have never felt so much power in my life.” I managed to say the complete sentence without a gasp for air. “How do you stand it?”

Greyson eyed me grimly. “We don’t because we can’t feel it. It isn’t our birthright, it is yours.”

“What?” I frowned at him in confusion. “But it is there, like the air on a muggy night or swimming through mud. The magic is so thick I feel like I am breathing water.”

“When I ride across the border, there is a slight change in the air quality since my magic is slightly more accessible and easier to use, but that is all.”

“Then why is it so hard for me?” The fight to not panic once more and start gasping again was so strong.

“That is something we will have to explore later as you adapt to the magic.”

A sharp burst of power exploded across my senses from the north. It felt distant.

Greyson’s head snapped up as a fae horseman rode into the clearing from the direction we had come. I vaguely recognized him as one of those riding with us before. The new arrival drew up alongside Greyson and bent close, muttering something into his ear. Nodding in reply, he turned to us as the new arrival returned to join the milling horsemen. “Move out!”

Greyson drew closer so I could hear him over the noise of the riders. “Your mother has crossed the border without issue, but as feared, her mark has triggered an alarm. We must move now or risk being caught up in the hunt.”

“What about my mother?” I demanded. “I assume the hunt is going to be pursuing her.”

“My men will take her to my lands by a different route. Once she crosses over the border, the wards will prevent them from reaching her.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. The very idea of an armed hunt pursuing my peaceful, aging mother made me angry. What had she done to merit death? Fallen in love with a man who lied to her? Gave birth to his child? The injustice of it burned within me.

“Hold on to your anger,” Greyson advised. “Let it keep you grounded when you finally meet your father. Wise decision makers consider the effects of their commands on both the powerful and the weak.”

A horn blast in the distance echoed eerily. Unlike the previous horn blasts, this one screamed high and shrill. The air chilled as every remaining rider turned toward the peal and froze for an ominous heartbeat.

“The death call,” Rue whispered behind me.

“Follow me and ride,” Greyson commanded. “For death rides in pursuit.” He clamped an arm around Mela, securing her to him, whirled his horse, and rode the beast straight toward the nearest break in the trees.

Sensing the Dullahan’s earnestness, I urged Blue to follow.

Rue’s arms gripped my middle so tightly that I could barely breathe as she clung to me. Heart pounding, I blindly followed the whirling shadowy figure of the Dullahan down a path barely wide enough for a horse and rider to pass. The whole time I was very aware of the precious female clinging to my back.

Chapter Seven

Rue

Nothing made sense.

Clinging to Kent with my cheek pressed against his broad back, I closed my eyes to shut out the dizzying whirl of magic swirling about us, chilling me to my core. Grasping tree branches whipped past as our horse pounded along a narrow path. Helpless, I could only hold on and pray that death didn’t catch us. Because one thing I did know, Greyson had meant every word of his final warning.

Just as I was beginning to fear that we would never escape the densely packed forest, our mounts cleared the trees, and we rode out into an open field. Sunlight burst from behind the clouds and shone brightly, highlighting rolling fields of waving grasses. Strangely, the brightness brought no heat. I shivered and pressed closer to Kent. His magic felt warm and living, unlike the icy presence at our back. I could hear more hooves, still pursuing.

With Greyson—a shadowy headless figure bent low over a dark gray horse—far ahead, I knew the presence wasn’t his. Besides, despite his intimidating appearance and manner, the Dullahan felt safe and trustworthy. His riders were a blur of speed and focused intent. But the icy presence came from behind, reaching for us—reaching for Kent.

A scream of fury tore at my ears.

“Faster!” I cried in Kent’s ear.

He urged Blue on. The horse didn’t need urging, though. Terror, raw and sharp, rolled off Blue as he strained forward, heart thumping, hooves pounding, every muscle straining toward—

Up ahead Greyson yelled something. Magic coiled and the air filled with a sense of expectation.

“Fence ahead,” Kent gasped. “Hold on.”

I ducked my head and prayed.