Page 133 of A Dance of Water

A sharp intake of air. "You’re the P-Princess," said the young male.

She nodded. He didn’t speak for some time, and the horse moved closer to her, desperate to be soothed. She picked up her soft strokes against his flank.

She wondered what expression he might wear. Was the young male angry with her? Was he frightened? She was no threat to him.

"Do you like horses?" Luella inquired softly.

"Yes. Master Tharen allows me to help out in the stables." A clinking noise, and she froze, thinking of the sharp zing of a blade, poised to strike her down. "I came to refresh their feed."

At his words, she was hit with a brief moment of remembrance. The way this young male saidMaster Tharenand the slight impishness to his tone…

"What is your name? You sound familiar to me."

"I’m Ori, Princess," said the young male.

And Luella was hit with fear: bound hands, torn gown, teary eyes; and a red-haired male, young and free, as he stood with the army.

"Ori," she whispered. "I remember you… you were there."

"I-I was," Ori said reluctantly. "I thought it was you, but you look different. I was not sure, Princess."

"You do not have to call mePrincess. I am no longer one." Luella didn’t address his unsaid question about her change in appearance.

Footsteps, and she tried not to flinch when she felt him right beside her. The horse was calm, and she tried to use that as a way to keep herself calm, too. Animals knew much about hidden motives. If this horse were settled in Ori’s presence, he was not a threat.

"Would you like to feed him?" Ori asked.

"Oh… I would."

Metal clanked, and Luella recognized the sound for what it was: a pail.

"Can I have your hand?"

"Why?" Luella held her closed fists to her chest, misplaced fear niggling against her.

"To give you a carrot."

Slowly, she held out her hand, and she felt a long carrot as it was placed in her palm.

The horse huffed, interested in the food in her hand. A small smile broke free on her lips, the action unfamiliar and awkward. A hoof stomped almost petulantly.

Luella held out the carrot, careful to keep her fingers far away from where she imagined the horse’s snout to be. He bit the end, teeth chomping down in a near hollow, loud sound as he chewed.

Her smile widened as she gave the rest of the carrot to the horse. She threw the end to the ground when it was too small, scared to get too close to his strong teeth.

"Ori, why do you refer to Tharen as your master?"

The horse finished chewing, wet snout butting against her palm as he searched for more.

"Master Tharen saved me. I am alive because of him. It is no hardship to have him as my master."

For not the first time, an innocent proclaimed to be saved by the psychotic Prima. Nyx, and now Ori.

"I find it hard to believe he is so kind-hearted," Luella whispered.

"Make no mistake," Ori said. "Master Tharen is not a kind male, but he cares for those he deems worthy. I will forever be in his debt."

His tone was matter-of-fact, and she couldn’t wrap her head around it.

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