Page 39 of The Nightmare Queen

“Probably not.” He replies, the words curt and unfeeling.

I roll my head towards him, “not even after I save your sorry kingdom?” He doesn’t give me a response. Those two hazel eyes fused to the sunrise. “So I can forget the thank you dinner when we’re all done then, huh?” I thought the jest fell flat until he laughs.

But the laughter has no humor in it, it’s the precursor to his snap. “Is everything a joke to you?”

I shrug, “not everything, no.”

He glares in the direction of Percy. “You had to do that?” He stares at it as it bounces against the buckle on the side of my saddle. His expression is stormy. I can tell he’s deciding whether or not he wants to let the situation go or to fight for the Vellaran’s honor - not that it matters, he’s already dead. You can’t raise what’s already dead.

“You irritate him.” His deep voice floats into my mind but his chin jerks in the direction of his man.

I smile. “Really? What gave you that impression?”

“Call it a hunch.” He says dryly.

He’s suspiciously tense. I’d say it’s because of me or even Percy but it feels unrelated to my morbid display. “So, why the brooding lone wolf persona today?”

Rorin grunts. “You’re not the only one with a kingdom to worry about.” My mind rattles at his words. His voice is teeming with fear, the kind I am all too familiar with. This is the fear of losing something, disappointing someone orsomeones.

“You know if you keep making that face it’ll freeze like that. Then you won’t be so pretty anymore.” I say down the seal.

He laughs, again, this time with some levity. Unfortunately for me, it’s not a sound I hate hearing. Even if I hate him. “You think I’m pretty, huh?” He jests.

I roll my eyes, “You know you’re pretty, princeling. Just not as pretty as me. Obviously.”

The prince purses his lips, a slight smile resting on the corners, “Obviously.” He replies. The rhythm of the hooves beneath us is the only sound reaching our ears. The men behind and in front have no idea a whole conversation is happening between us.

“I know I’m not.” I say.

He looks at me, finally. His face scrunched up in confusion.“What?”

“I know I’m not the only one with a kingdom to worry about. You have your own men you worry about.” He’s quiet for a moment, contemplating what I said. “How much time do you think before we reach your commander?” My voice carries out loud, available for everyone to hear.

“Ah-hem. We’ll be there right at nightfall. Should give us enough time to go through the wall and rest before heading to the post.” He replies.

We stay riding next to each other the rest of the way. No more words were exchanged, verbal or mental. Armond came up quietly behind us at some point and fell into step with Mousy’s horse. My anxiety mixes with my Wield creating an unbalanced level of control inside of me the closer we get to the border.

The stone structure of the barrier wall comes into view as the sun begins setting. The realization that I will no longer have the royal upper-hand becomes readily apparent. Mousy looks back at us and tilts his head, signaling for Rorin to take his place next to him.

The prince listens and I follow.

His companion bristles as line up my horse with theirs, barking orders at me to back up.

“Fuck off, Mouse.” I snarl.

No way in Helys was I going to retreat behind them to meet this “commander”.

“He meets me at your side or not at all, princeling.”I growl into his mind. He doesn’t argue - he doesn’t respond at all, actually, his armstightening on the reigns and his jaw ticking in anticipation. Or maybe that’s agitation. Hard to tell as we wait.

The agreement from what I recall was that the man, Bennett, would meet us several yards away from the gates. Supposedly, others know we are coming but for now we will try to keep a low profile. After meeting with us, he will usher the group in. We’ll have to organize someone to do the same for the men and women traveling behind us. Their numbers will be noticed no matter what precautions we take.

“Where is he?”I hiss, getting impatient.

A low vibration hums through me as his voice sifts past the chaos of my brain, “Slow your heart, Nightmare. It’s putting me on edge.”

“You put me on edge!”I snap.

A whistle trills out into the wind and Mousy perks up. He sends back what I can only assume is the return call and then a shadow moves towards us at break neck speed.

---