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“I’ve rarely seen a finer mount,” I admit. It takes everything in me not to confirm that I have permission to ride such a beautiful animal. “Does she have a name?”
“I don’t rightly know. But she’s yours now, so it’s –”
“Mine?”
“Yes, a gift from the deve.”
“From the deve?” I echo stupidly.
Dion hesitates. “Yes.Deveis the word for . . .”
“Ruler,” I finish, not sure if I should curb the hope that blooms, fierce and deep, in my chest.Luka.“The mare is from him? Truly?” I say, fully expecting him to confess to jesting.
“Yes, of course. Come closer. Let her know you.”
Throwing a nervous glance over my shoulder for Noé or the twins, I pat the horse’s neck. Her midnight black coat is warm under my palm as she nuzzles me sweetly, and a certainty I haven’t experienced inyearstakes hold of me. I’ll do everything I can to make the best of my new life. I’ll learn how to love my new husband no matter the cost. Just for giving me this moment, one that feels like joy being poured directly into my soul, he deserves my all.
Dion helps me into the saddle and adjusts the stirrups. “May I –” I stop myself from asking for permission. I doubt ana’deve– a ruler’s wife – would do such a thing. Eyeing Noé where he’s preparing his own mount across the paddock, I amend to ask, “Is it safe to ride ahead? To get a feel for her?”
Dion gives me a jovial laugh. “Just stay on the road heading north. They’ll catch up.”
Before anyone can stop me, I urge the dark beauty into a trot, then a canter, and on into a gallop. My spirit soars right along with her hooves. Her gait is so smooth she seems to barely touch the ground. With the wind in my hair and my sore muscles protesting, I name her Glory, for that’s what she is, pure and simple. And the knowledge that my betrothed isn’t above acts of kindness? It leaves me breathless. Because who needs air in their lungs when their chest is bursting with optimism.
When I allow them to catch up, Noé isn’t thrilled with my initiative, but he doesn’t chastise me, and Bron offers me an encouraging smile. In fact, on this side of the river, they’re all more relaxed. Over the next few days, as we journey steadily north, I begin to let down my guard, turning most of my attention to caring for my new mount. I can’t remember the last time I had something other than myself to worry about. It’s heady and sweet.
Until it isn’t.
Three days after leaving the river, with the dawn barely breaking over the horizon, on my way back from relieving myself in the trees, one of the twins catches me unawares.
“Finally,” he jeers. “Alone at last.”
Despite his intentions being as plain as day, I can’t quite comprehend. “What are you doing?” My voice turns shrill on the last word as he takes a threatening step toward me.
“I think that’s obvious.”
I back away, my heart beginning to pound in my chest. “But I’m to be your a’deve.”
He laughs coldly. “Doubtful.”
“I’ll scream.”
“Excellent. I love a good struggle.”
Terror swamps me as he lunges. I barely get a half-cry for help out before his hand clamps over my mouth. I fight and claw and thrash with everything in me. But the horrible realization that this is going to happen no matter what I do hits me when we topple over and his weight squashes me into the dirt. Despair fills me. This can’t happen. Itcan’tha–
An opening comes.
He lets go of my wrists to start scrabbling at my skirts, and I frantically shove at his shoulders. Except it barely registers with him and now his hand is fumbling under my dress.
No. No. No.
I begin groping at the ground around me for something, anything to use as a weapon. There! I swing instinctively, without any conscious thought at all, and the dull thud of the rock against his skull reverberates up my arm.
He slumps down on me.
Reeling with shock, I barely hear the bellowing that ensues. It’s all a steady, pitchy buzz until the body on top of me abruptly disappears. “What have you done?!”
I can only lie there, trembling.
