her out of the situation. She was already in more trouble than she knew. Kira put her hand on Ussay’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
“You will be safe?” Ussay asked.
“I will. Now go.”
Ussay took one last look toward the stable, let out an exaggerated sigh and left the courtyard.
The sun had begun to crest the treetops on the distant mountain. She didn’t have time to mess with disobedient servants. As she neared the entrance to the stables she met a young boy who couldn’t have been much older than Arela. His eyes were wide with excitement until he caught site of her. He bowed and lowered his eyes.
“Pardon me, my lady. I seek Ussay. Have you seen her?” He straightened, but still avoided her eyes.
Kira put on her best impression of Mara’s Royal attitude and fired away. “I gave instructions for Prince Octavion’s mount to be prepared. Where is he?”
He stuttered, turned, and ran back into the stable without uttering a single discernible word. She heard raised voices, another bout of clatter, and then silence. When the boy came back through the door, two men followed him, desperately trying to control what Kira could only describe as. .
He was the most magnificent stallion she’d ever seen-a massive combination of pure muscle and unbridled spirit. His silken white coat glistened in the late afternoon sun as he tried to fight his way to freedom. The men were no match for him as he towered above them.
They danced around the courtyard, trying to gain some control of the beast, but when he came close to Kira, threatening her safety, she didn’t back away. She stood there, gazing into his fierce brown eyes. He forced a burst of air through his flared nostrils, then settled. His captors, however, tried to pull him away from Kira which sent Althros into another wild tangent. Rearing up on his back legs, he lifted both men into the air. They pulled tight on the reins and tried to bring him down. When his front hooves hit the ground the stones beneath them cracked.
“Release him!” Kira ordered.
Both men looked at her like she was insane and continued their vain attempt to gain control.
“Are you deaf? I said, release him.”
This time they put up their hands, letting the reins fall to the ground. They quickly stepped back from the horse, trying to stand between Kira and Althros.
“My lady, we were told the prince would be riding today. Will he be arriving soon?”
Althros threw his head from side to side, grinding his teeth on the metal bit. He flipped the leather reins in the air as if he’d whip the stable hands with them.
“I am meeting him,” she explained. “You were told to prepare a different horse. Why didn’t you follow my instructions?”
They began their flimsy rebuttal, but she cut them off.
“I don’t care what your excuse is. Do you know who I am?”
“Yes, my lady,” they said in unison.
The boy had hidden in the stable during the ruckus but now peeked through a crack in the door. His big brown eyes were wild with curiosity. Kira had to fight the urge to smile and wave at him.
“Then you know I will be your queen one day. Are you sure you want to make me angry?”
“No, my lady,” the stablemen said.
“Ussay is my personal assistant. If she gives you an order, you do exactly what she says. Am I understood?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Now turn around.” She didn’t bother unlacing the front of her dress, just grabbed both sides and ripped it open. She slid it over her hips and let it puddle at her feet. When she stepped between the men and back into their view, they both cursed. She glared at them, silencing their tongues.
“You will tell no one. Do you understand?”
They nodded.
Kira ordered them to back away from the horse as she stepped closer. He still pranced around, nervously stomping his hooves into the stone. She put her arms out to the side with her palms up to show him she meant no harm; then slowly approached him. With every step she took toward him, he took one back, flaring his nostrils and throwing his head in the air.
“Calm down, boy. I’m not going to hurt you.” She took another step and put her hand out toward him, coaxing him to gather in her scent. He reluctantly stretched his neck and took in a few short breaths. His eyes locked on hers as she took one more step, keeping her hand outstretched between them. Only inches from touching him, she stood still, waiting for him to grant his trust, hoping he would let her advance, so it surprised her when he made the first move. The muscles in his body relaxed as he stepped closer, letting her run the tips of her fingers down the soft muzzle between his nostrils. She slowly moved her hand up the front of his head, burying it in the long wisps of hair that ran down his forehead. He took another step, leaning into her.
“See, I told you. I only want to ride you for a while. Think you can handle that?” She stepped to his side and brushed her hand down his neck and shoulder. As she ran her fingers through his long mane his head swung around behind her and rubbed against her back. His sudden trust in her reminded her of the cubs and their mama. Perhaps she had gained another gift from this place.
Kira took both reins, pulled them to the saddle and, standing on the tip of her toes, reached to wrap them firmly around the horn. “Okay, Althros. Let’s show them how this is done,” she whispered as she stretched her leg up to put one foot in the stirrup.
He raised his head as if to protest, shifting a step to the side. She quickly propelled herself up into the saddle and grabbed onto the reins. She tightened her legs around his sides, half expecting him to rear up and toss her on her butt, but he didn’t. She reached down and stroked his neck and mane.
“Good boy.”
Kira turned to find the two men as frozen as statues. Their mouths hung open so wide, she could have stuck her whole fist into them. The boy stood beside them, grinning from ear to ear. She adjusted herself to sit comfortably in the saddle, but now that she was on the horse, she realized she couldn’t reach the stirrups.
“Could I get a little help here?” she asked.
While she kept Althros calm by stroking his neck, the men quickly adjusted the stirrups. They’d barely stepped out of the way when the little boy came from inside the stable doors holding Kira’s bow and quiver. A moment of fear ran through her as she thought of the poison covering the tips, praying he wouldn’t stumble and drive one through his skin. She reached down and took them from him, strapped the quiver to her back and threw the bow over her head and shoulder.
“Your silence will save your lives,” she warned. Then she nudged Althros in the sides and he sprang into a gallop. The heavy sound of his hooves pounding the wooden bridge echoed against the outer walls of the castle.
Riding through the village, she gave little notice to the people jumping out of her way. She needed to get to Pride Meadow as fast as she could and didn’t have time to slow her stride. At least, since her ride the day before with Octavion, she knew the way.
By the time she cleared the main gate, she felt as though she and Althros were one. She followed the dirt road up the hill behind the castle and through a thick stand of trees leading to the area where they’d eaten their meal. She continued toward the fallen tree, being careful to stay close to the base of the mountain to take advantage of the tall pine trees. Their sturdy branches would give her the cover she would need when the time came to take her shot.
The thought of it sent a shiver through her. Althros tensed as well, slowing his gallop and throwing his head to the side. Could he really sense what she felt?
When the fallen log came into view, she pulled Althros to a stop, threw her leg over his head and slid to the ground. She led him deep into the trees and behind an outcropping of large boulders, tying his reins to the trunk of a small tree. She stroked his head one more time and turned, but then she reconsidered his restraint. If Shandira killed her, who knows how long he’d be tied up before someone found him. She quickly released him, letting the reins drop to the ground. She remembered what Octavion said about having pets and she thought it fit in this
