Page 38 of Spirit Rites
Before we get back to the house, Kaldar stops me with a hand on my arm. “I really have to return. I've been gone too long.”
“I’m ready and packed.”
“I’m sorry it has to be rushed, but I’ll try to get you back here soon.”
“I’m pretty sure Harper is planning on coming with. Is that okay? For real?”
“Do you want her to come?” he asks in return, studying my face.
“I mean it would be nice to have a friend with me,” I admit.
“Then she can come.”
“She might cause a scene wherever she goes and challenge you on absolutely everything.”
He chuckles. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
When we step inside, I watch the warmth leave his face. He strides into the dining area, and I follow him. “It’s time to get back.” None of his warriors are surprised.
I glance around the room at the people who have become like family to me. Lox, Hector, Jamik, Rysden, and Farrah. I make my way around the room hugging each and every one of them. When I get to Rysden, I take a moment to thank him. “Thank you for taking us in—two banished. I know you didn’t have to.”
“Yes, he did,” Farrah interrupts.
I smile and blink back tears. “Well, it means more than you will probably ever know.” Then I turn to my newest friend.
She shakes her head. “Don’t you dare start with me; I’m going to cry.”
I smile, and a tear drips down my cheek. “I love you, Farrah. Thank you for taking on the King for the banished community. We owe you, and thanks for being my friend.”
“Stop,” she says dramatically, but I notice she wipes both eyes before hugging me so tightly I can barely breathe. “I’m going to miss you,” she whispers in my ear. “But don’t you worry; I’ll make Rysden bring me to visit you.”
I smile through my tears. “Be sure that you do.”
Then, before I can get any sadder, I turn away. I only take a step or two before I turn back to Farrah. “Please say goodbye to your mom and brother for me.” Rysden brought them here to live after the trials. I haven’t seen them since I got back as they’ve moved into their own home, but I still want to pass on my love. I turn around, and Kaldar catches my eye.
“Ready?”
I nod, not trusting my voice to work. I glance over my shoulder to make sure Harper is coming before I follow Kaldar and his men outside and down the front steps where I stop and nearly groan. I take in the horses. I hadn’t thought about the fact that we’d have to ride, but I push my fear of horses and falling off far away. I have a feeling I won’t be helping my case any if I reveal that particular fear to these warriors. So when Kaldar shows me which horse I can ride, I try to act as confident as possible. Kaldar gives me a boost, and I throw my leg over the side of the horse and hold on to the pommel for dear life so I don’t fall off. Kaldar frowns up at me, and I quickly turn away. I don’t want him to notice how uncomfortable I am. Harper mounts the horse next to me. I wonder at the extra horses but figure Kaldar probably worked something out with Rysden. Kaldar is the last to mount up. He finishes talking with Rysden, claps him on the back and then easily mounts his horse. The five warriors surround us on all sides, while I look around quickly for Veyra and Jespar. They’re just outside our ring of horses.
When I glance back, I take in the people who have become my family. My throat tightens, and I can’t do anything more than wave. Farrah looks sad, and Rysden pulls her close. We start forward, and I can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. I have no idea what’s coming. “How long is this trip?” Harper asks from beside me. I glance over at Kaldar, wondering the same thing.
“It’s a little over an hour’s ride to get to the portal. On the other side of the portal, it’s about a two-hour ride to where we live,” he explains easily, obviously not catching our shocked expressions.
“I’m sorry. Did you just say portal?” Harper asks.
Kaldar looks over then at both of us. “You don’t know about the portal?”
“Wouldn’t be asking if I did,” Harper responds in typical Harper snark. I glance over at Kaldar to see if he’s offended or annoyed, but he seems to be neither.
“The Wolf Kingdom and the Jaguar Kingdom are separated by quite a distance.”
“How far?” Harper asks, interrupting him.
“I’m not exactly sure how long it would take without the portal—a few weeks at least. The portal connects our kingdoms at a certain point. When you go through the portal, it spits you out close to either kingdom, depending on which side of the portal you’re on.”
“So, this portal is about an hour from here?” Harper asks. At Kaldar’s nod, she continues. “How long does it take to get through the portal?”
“It’s instantaneous.” Kaldar’s replies are all kind and gracious.
