WITH A RISING SENSE OF anticipation, we moved between cantering and trotting, making what felt like fantastic time. The last bits of scattered forest gave way to grasslands, alongside which a river in flood raged. I watched it while clinging tight to the saddle, seeing bits of wood wash past, a tree trunk stripped till almost bare. The occasional rumbling thud rang out, vibrating through the earth when loosened boulders crashed along, unseen beneath the water. We followed the river for some distance, occasionally having to skirt higher up off the track as the river ate away at it. Ahead of us, heads bent against the driving rain, the cavalry soldier stopped and Rashid leapt from his back.The sense of urgency in his movements, looking like he searched for something, spurred Mhelyn to catch up. Moments later I slid down and shouted to Rashid. 'What is it?''The bridge!' He roared the words over the dense rumble of water rushing past, pointing at what looked like large lumps of roc

THE RAIN NO LONGER POURED but the drizzle and icy wind we got in exchange felt as bad, if not worse. I hunched close to Mhelyn's back, the shelter of the trees almost entirely gone as we made our way up this windy wet mountain pass.Mhelyn puffed away, sounding like a steam engine and Rashid called for stops more often than I'd seen him do before. Neither him nor the soldier made any show about it so I hoped Mhelyn wasn't feeling self-conscious about it. He'd been employed as my advisor, after-all, not bodyguard.Two days had passed since the river crossing. The only potential sign we'd come across after the pile of poop was a small medicinal container.While I'd agreed that it did look like one Leseach might use, it also looked like one anyone wanting to carry a potion might use.Rashid wasn't about to be persuaded any other way. So onward we went up this rocky path.I cringed, clinging tight when Mhelyn's back hoof slipped, making the centaur lunge forward for better footing. Th

WITH SHUDDERING RELIEF, I FELT them find their own grip on the ledge.Opening my eyes, I stared down to see them standing on the very edge, arms wrapped around each other, their eyes wide as they watched the shingle shoal roaring around them.The centaurs edged their way along the path as far as they could then with the only two lengths of rope we'd brought, tied them together, lowering it to the two on the ledge. While they helped Rashid and Leseach back to the path, I raised the energy sphere with the ardwyr up, bringing it up to rest gently beside me. Releasing the sphere, but keeping a hold of the creature with my energy, I bent while making soothing noises like I would have for Audi. The poor animal looked terrified, huddled within its fur, ears flat back against its wide skull as it whimpered. It crouched low then crept to me, huddling against my legs. I sat, legs spread with it tucked close, cuddling my arms into the dense fur while still making the soothing noises, cooing and

IN THE GOOD HALF-HOUR it took to scrub out all the dirt and grime from my skin and hair, Sian, Loi, Ada, and Elena achieved plenty. By the time I stepped out to dry my hair, Leseach having used the shower in Loi's quarters, they'd packed everything I would need plus the enormous list of items Kassie apparently needed.It made all the stuff I, a Queen, needed look pitiful in comparison.As I exited my quarters and re-entered the common area of the other quarters, a harried looking Ada rushed past with her arms full of fabric, pieces slipping off to the ground. I stooped to grab them up, hurrying after her as Sian and Loi emerged from Kassie's quarters lugging a small trunk between them.'Let's go!' Loi grunted the words as they manhandled the luggage.We made our way awkwardly down the stairs, met half way down the turret by Elena who regarded Loi and Sian as they panted away with a perplexed expression.'Girls,' she said in the manner of a reprimanding school teacher. 'Did we forg

HE'D WOKEN IN THE EARLY hours, stretched his limbs out and found her cocooned in the covers. It took some careful detangling before he managed to avail just enough cloth to cover himself.At least we don't have to get up early, he thought, relaxing back into sleep, Cat cuddled next to him.'GUYS!' Pounding on the door caused Alek to sit bolt upright, arms flailing, mind ready for action.'WHAT?' he bellowed.'Wedding breakfast in ten minutes! Don't be late!' Feet pounded on down the hallway.'Holy bejezus,' Cat said in a stunned tone, sitting up, clutching a sheet to her chest, blinking like a startled owl.Feeling just as bewildered at the abrupt wake-up call, Alek nodded then questioned. 'Wedding breakfast?'Cat, still blinking but looking a little more alert, nodded. 'Hmmm, Kassie has us tied up all day.'Scrubbing a hand over his face, Alek stretched his arms up and out with a groan. He felt movement across the bed behind him then two slim hands slid around his back to his