Page 19 of Urn My Love

What I couldn’t survive was the branch that pierced my back.

Warm liquid slid down my back at a rate that was unhealable. My magic rushed to try to heal the fatal injury, but I pulled it back, knowing it was best not to deplete myself again so soon. Especially when I was going to need to regenerate again.

Scanning the woods, I was relieved to find my horse walking around, nibbling on a patch of stray grass, completely unharmed. He was utterly unconcerned about staking me through the back, but I didn’t hold it against him. He was a horse doing horse things.

Not wanting the notebook to burn with me, I worked the button and pulled it from the pocket. With my last bit of strength, I tossed it away from me. I was struggling to drag in a breath, and shadows flickered across my vision. For a moment, I thought it was a sign my time was coming, but the shadow solidified into a familiar shape. Jazriel.

The pegasus dropped his head, nuzzling my cheek, a pained sound rumbling in his chest.

“Why”—I gasped, struggling to breathe and feeling my blood soaking into the ground beneath me—“the long face?”

I don’t know if he responded, because a moment later, my eyes rolled back and my muscles went slack. My body erupted into flames, turning to ash in the blink of an eye.

Just as quickly, I regenerated.

My eyelids fluttered open to find the stallion standing motionless over me, his blue eyes wide with shock.

Behind him, I heard August’s shout. I didn’t want August to know what I was. If he wasn’t going to be in my life, then there was no need to expose my secrets to him. It would only complicate things.

Sitting up quickly, I grabbed Jazriel’s head and leaned close. “Do not tell him what you just saw. I’ll explain later.”

Using his front leg to steady myself, I stood. With effort, I stifled my groan of exhaustion as I leaned down to pick up the notebook and made my way over to the chestnut gelding that had tossed me like a salad.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked, gathering the reins and walking around him to check for injuries.

August topped the hill, “Iolani! Are you ok—” His eyes widened. “Why are you naked?”

I needed an excuse and blurted the first thing that came to mind. “I took a minor tumble, and my clothes got dirty.”

August snorted. “And of course the queen can’t wear dirty clothes.”

I ground my teeth together, but held my tongue. Opening the bag on my saddle, I pulled out another pair of pants and a baggy shirt. They smelled of the men I’d killed, and I hated it. I would’ve much preferred to wear nothing, but that wasn’t an option.

Slipping the clothes on, I peeked at the stallion from the corner of my eye. He remained motionless, other than his eyes, which tracked my movements.

With my insides twisting into knots of worry, I walked back to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Once we’re alone, I’ll tell you everything. If you choose to leave, I will understand.”

My fingertips brushed his glossy mane. With a sigh, I turned back to my horse, and took my time leading him up the embankment toward the ridge where August waited. I tried not to wince as sharp stones and sticks stabbed my bare feet.

Once we reached the top, I found the rest of the small horse herd waiting patiently for their pegasus leader to reappear. While my horse wasn’t limping, I didn’t want him to carry my weight, just in case. Removing the bridle, I headed toward a dark bay that was also wearing a saddle.

A gentle tug on the back of my shirt halted me. Glancing over my shoulder, I found Jazriel holding the fabric between his teeth.

“We have to get back on the trail. There is enough time to get another hour of riding in before dusk,” I chided him.

Jazriel let go of my shirt, but pushed his body between me and the bay. He watched me, waiting for something.

“I don’t understand.” My eyes searched his, looking for answers.

Jazriel tossed his head over his shoulder, then lifted the front hoof nearest to me, holding it in place. Again, he waited.

Surely he didn’t mean for me to… “You want me to ride you?”

“Oh, I bet he does,” August snarled under his breath.

Ignoring him, I waited for Jazriel’s response. The pegasus bobbed his head in affirmation.

Resting my palm against his side to brace myself, I carefully stepped onto his leg, testing my weight, worried I would hurt him.

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