Page 13 of This Vicious Dream

Daharak.“Don’t let them break you. I’ll find you. Somehow, I’ll find you.”

My head begins to throb viciously. Remembering hurts.

But if I can get to Daharak, she’ll tell me what I need to know.

The man’s stallion snorts at me, and I give it a wide berth as I unsaddle all of the soldier’s horses but one, setting them free.

I’d like to sell them, but a woman traveling alone with so many horses in excellent condition would draw far too much attention.

Mounting the horse, I nudge the mare into motion, ignoring the man’s eyes on me.

“You’re going the wrong way.”

The rumble of his deep voice itches at my mind with a sense of familiarity, but when I search the wasteland of my memory, his face is nowhere to be found.

“You don’t know where I’m going,” I say between my teeth.

“You’re heading deeper within the forest. Without any supplies.”

He lifts his huge body into his saddle, stroking one hand along his stallion’s neck. The horse turns his head and snaps his teeth at him, and the man laughs.

“I’m going to the nearest town,” he returns his attention to me. “Travel with me, and I’ll keep you safe.”

“And why would you do that? Why are you even here?”

He shrugs one shoulder, his horse shifting toward mine, and the moonlight caresses his face.

“Consider it a good deed.”

I can feel my mind unraveling at the edges, and I need to leave this place before Kyldare returns with more soldiers.

“If you attempt to harm me, I’ll burn you alive.” I may not be able to reach for the dark power, but my flames come naturally to me. As does the urge toburn.

He bares his teeth in a wicked smile. “Agreed.”

“What is your name?”

“Calysian.”

“My name is Madinia.”

He gives me a grave nod. I keep a careful eye on him as we move toward the only road from the tower. When he doesn’t speak again, I focus on the steady beat of our horse’s hooves along packed dirt, forcing myself to keep my hands soft on the mare’s mouth, even as I grip the reins tight, my knuckles turning white.

Calysian rides a few feet ahead, his back straight, his hands loose on his own reins. His horse is entirely too big, just like the man himself. I don’t know him, I’m not stupid enough to trust him, but for now I’ll allow him to lead me closer to safety.

I grind my teeth until my jaw protests.

Minutes turn to hours, and I stay vigilant, continually sweeping my gaze over our surroundings in case Kyldare returns. Part of me is convinced he will be waiting for me in the nearest town, but it’s much more likely that he fled south, deeper into the forest where his queen keeps a regiment stationed.

At his heart, he is a coward. And he’ll need to regroup.

I shift in the saddle, the aches in my muscles a dull reminder of how long I spent without moving. The witch’s spell may have allowed me the ability to wake and walk, but each step the horse takes sends a faint throb through my legs and spine.

I just have to focus on the town. On freedom. But my mind won’t settle. It keeps circling back, over and over, attempting to remember…

Occasionally, I see flashes, bits of memory that float up to the surface for a moment before they’re snatched away. A face, a voice, laughter. But the more I attempt to focus on them, the faster they disappear.

Panic beats at me. What if…what if my memories never return? What if my mind is forever damaged?

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