Page 112 of The Study of Magic
When Cahil turned his horse for another charge, Yelena said, “It makes sense. Valek wouldn’t leave a job unfinished.”
He pulled back on the bridle, stopping in disbelief. “Your love for him has damaged your senses.”
“And your hunger for power has affected your intelligence. Your people are using you, yet you refuse to see the obvious.”
Cahil shook his head. “I won’t listen to any more lies. My people are loyal. They obey me or else they will be punished. Goel’s death helped me to reinforce that lesson.”
Yelena jerked back in surprise. “Youkilled Goel.”
He smiled. “My soldiers have pledged their lives to me. I committed no crime.” He brandished his sword. “Ready,” he called to his unit. “Aim and?—”
“Think about this before you gloat aboutyourpeople, Cahil,” Yelena said. “They look to Captain Marrok for approval before following your orders. They gave you a sword that was too heavy for you and failed to properly train you with it. You are supposed to be related to the King, who was a powerful magician. Why don’t you have any magic?”
Nice, love.Valek met Marrok’s wary gaze.Sorry mate, but that’s what you get for lying to Cahil all these years.
“I—” Cahil hesitated.
Time to move. Valek took a running jump and joined Yelena on Kiki’s back. The horse launched into the plains, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Fire!” Cahil yelled.
A few darts whizzed past, but none struck either of them. If Cahil’s people were smart, they would have aimed for Kiki—a much larger target. However, Valek and Yelena’s comments had managed to rattle them.
Kiki flew through the grasses. He’d no idea what gait she used, but it was as if he sat between the wings of a bird. They rode for a few hours before Kiki slowed and stopped. It looked like they were in the middle of nowhere, but at least the full moon lit up the undulating landscape.
Yelena tried to inspect Kiki for injuries, but she snorted and moved away to graze. He studied Kiki with amazement. No sweat darkened her coat and it appeared she didn’t need to be hobbled to stay nearby.
“That was close.” Yelena shivered and pulled her cloak tighter.
“Not really,” Valek said. He pulled her into a glorious hug. “We distracted his people so when Wannabe King gave the order, they didn’t have time to aim.”
The cold night air nipped on his exposed ears. Yelena glanced at his clothing, probably noting he didn’t have a cloak. She raised an eyebrow. “I’ll share yours.” He grinned. “But first you need a fire, food, and some sleep.”
She shook her head. “I need you.” Grabbing his shirt, she pulled it up.
He tried to protest—she really needed to rest—but she was determined. And a determined Yelena was a formidable force. Plus, if he was being honest, he needed her just as much. Together, they celebrated surviving, being alive, and safe. At this moment there was no past or future. They existed solely for each other.
* * *
The morning sunlight woke Valek. Careful not to wake Yelena, he extricated his arms and legs. Although, it didn’t matter, because she didn’t stir with the motion nor when the cold air briefly touched her bare skin. The fight with Ferde must have exhausted her. He tucked the cloak tight around her, dressed, and scanned their surroundings. Nothing but grassland, rolling hills, and a sandy soil. Kiki grazed nearby.
Valek searched for firewood. No luck. Guess it would be cold tea and jerky for breakfast. Kiki nudged his shoulder. He spun around in surprise. How did she sneak up on him?
She snorted then glanced at her back before meeting his gaze.Did she just…?Another snort and she repeated the gesture.She did.
“You want me to get on?”
Clearly impatient with his stupidity, she pawed the ground. Okay then. He grabbed her mane and mounted. She took off at a canter, and within two strides switched to flying. Not long after, she stopped right next to a dead tree. It hadn’t been big or thick, but it had fallen and broken into pieces that were perfectly sized for a campfire.
He met her intelligent gaze. “Janco called you a magic horse. I’m beginning to suspect he didn’t exaggerate—a rarity. I’m glad you’re with Yelena. Thank you.”
She snuffled at his pockets.
“Ah, when we get back, I’ll see what Yelena brought for you.”
He gathered the wood in his arms, but mounting would be an issue. Kiki knelt and he marveled again. They returned in no time. Yelena hadn’t moved. He found a couple peppermints in her pack and Kiki sucked them up.
Deciding to wait until later to build a fire, Valek organized their supplies. The sunshine warmed the air, driving off the morning chill. At one point, he may or may not have dozed. His breakfast of jerky hadn’t really satisfied his grumbling stomach and he would have liked to offer Yelena something more nutritious. However, all he had was his knife. And he hadn’t seen any game all day, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t any.
