Page 64 of A Lick of Flame

We take turns sleeping. It is a stroke of luck that my bedroll and blanket were still attached to Midnight’s saddle. There were also some oats for the horses. We decide to forgo the dried meat and flatbread, since we don’t have any water. There were a couple of brackish puddles we tentatively drank from earlier, since the horses were fine with drinking from them. That was hours ago, with no idea as to when we will find potable water again.

There’s no sign of any rain, either, which is almost disconcerting at this point. I hope to the Goddess that it isn’t a bad omen.

It’s still a few hours before nightlift when I shake Orion awake. We’ve had very little sleep, but it will have to suffice. Our number one goal is to enter the beastfae realm; at least, that will mean that the humans will be off of our backs since they won’t be able to enter without a fae escorting them in.

I give Orion a second shake, and his eyes open. He sits up, shrugging off the blanket. Ten minutes later, we have mounted up and are on our way. There is no time to lose. The sense of urgency we are feeling is almost palpable.

We ride in exhausted silence; our once spirited horses are now dragging their feet along the barren landscape. Puddles of brackish water dot the ground, but our parched animals refuse to drink from them, and we dare not risk it either. The terrain is sparse, with only scraggly bushes and scrub as far as the eye can see. Pockets of trees dot the horizon, their skeletal branches reaching toward the sky. Lichen and moss cling to rocks and dead bark, giving a pop of color to the otherwise desolate landscape.

We’ve been riding for what feels like an age when Orion pulls up his horse. He lifts a hand, signaling that I should stop as well, then he cocks his head.

I rein in Midnight, who is only too happy to have a break. He immediately lowers his head a little, looking defeated. We will need to have a proper rest once we are in the relative safety of the beastfae realm. I never thought that I would ever think such a thing, but there it is.

After a few long beats, I ask, “What’s wrong?”

Orion narrows his eyes, then squeezes them shut, concentration etched into his handsome features. “I can hear a horse approaching.”

“Just one horse?”

“Yes…no… I’m not sure… I think so.”

We’re both on high alert. Midnight lifts his head and neighs loudly. There is a barely audible responding neigh in the far distance.

Orion trains his gaze on the horizon. “It's a riderless horse,” he says with a laugh, the tense situation momentarily forgotten. I follow his gaze and see a familiar chestnut mare galloping towards us, her sleek coat shining in the sunlight.

“Copper!” I exclaim, relief flooding through me. The mare makes for Midnight and it is almost comical as they nicker and prance around each other in greeting.

I glance at Orion, who is grinning broadly. Copper pants heavily, sweat glistening on her muscular body. I note that she is tacked up with our supplies still attached to the saddle. Perhaps our fortune is changing.

“How did she find us?” I ask, running my hand over Copper’s neck.

“Horses are intelligent creatures,” Orion replies with a smile. “She and Midnight are good friends.” Orion takes Copper’s reins.

Orion lifts his head again, his expression changing into one of alertness. His eyes narrow and lift. “More horses are approaching,” he announces. “I would say three or four.”

Sure enough, a cloud of dust appears in the distance and grows closer until we can make out four riders.

“Shouldn't we be running?” I whisper, my heart racing.

Orion shakes his head. “I’m done with running. I can handle four humans. It’s more of a fair fight this time.”

I marvel at how he can tell that they’re humans from all the way here.

Also, four to one is fair in his books. Not in mine.

“Are you sure?” I ask, my voice trembling a little.

“Very,” Orion replies firmly. “Our horses are tired, and I don't want to push them unless it’s absolutely necessary, which it’s not.” He looks me in the eye. I see nothing but calm determination. It helps settle my racing heart. But only until I realize that one of the riders is the big brute from Ethan's group – Jace, if I remember correctly. He hollers with excitement as they draw nearer.

No! This can’t be happening.

“Take care of Copper,” Orion instructs as he hands me the reins. Then he kicks his horse into a gallop toward the approaching men.

My hands shake as I hold on to the reins, my heart pounding in my chest. All four men draw their swords, ready for a fight. We are outnumbered and outmatched, but Orion doesn't back down. He stands his ground, prepared to defend us with everything he has.

I urge Midnight to go a little closer, even though I shouldn’t.

It’s only at the last second that Orion draws his own sword. The sound of metal against metal is jarring as he engages the first man with a flurry of blows, ducking low against his horse’s neck to avoid his opponent’s strikes. His horse moves with him as if they are one. Not for the first time, I am impressed with his horsemanship and fighting prowess.

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