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“We’re never far,” Bash replies with a boyish smile.
“Hold on,” Riven instructs, pulling my arms around his waist. “Lucien, Bash—thank you.”
“Unus franternitas, unus haeream, unitum regnum,” they chant in unison, and Riven replies the same as we start riding away.
“What was that?” I ask, wishing I’d paid more attention in Latin class.
He’s silent as we trot away, and I don’t think he’s going to answer.
“One brotherhood, one enchanted untied realm,” he finally says, his tone serious.
“Are you in some kind of secret society?” I ask.
“Wouldn’t be very secret if I told you, now would it, Princess.” His voice lightens.
“Shouldn’t I ride in front?” I ask, changing the subject as we move slowly along the twisted trail, the snowfall letting up the deeper we go into the woods. My arms are tightly wrapped around his waist, my fingers itching to touch other areas of him.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Princess,” he responds, turning his head toward me.
“Why not?”
“We have a long journey, and I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate with you bouncing on my lap.”
I gasp at his response and am rewarded with a wicked grin.
Oh.
I swallow my surprise and regain my voice. “Well, how do you know I won’t fall off? I’ve never ridden a horse before.”
“Then you better hold on tighter,” he tells me with a glint in his eye.
A swift kick of his heel sends the large black beast surging forward with ease through the path upward, between the birch trees. My red cape waves behind me like a banner as we ride in the opposite direction of the castle. Even though his tone has been playful, I know he’s worried about Birdy. I’m worried as well, but I can’t help but wonder what this means for us. What’s changed? Why is he agreeing to help me instead of killing me per the queen’s command?
With every bump and twist, my arms wrap tighter around him until I feel like our bodies are being melded together. Every so often, his hand leaves the saddle horn, and he will hold the reins with one while the other rests on top of mine. After a while, he brings the horse to a slow trot, and I allow myself to finally relax. I rest my head on his back, and with his warmth and the smooth trotting of the horse, I manage to fall asleep. When I open my eyes again, I see that the sun has started to set.
“Are we there yet?” I ask with a yawn, and he chuckles under his breath.
“Not yet.”
“Where are we going?”
“So many questions,” he tsks jokingly. “To your uncles. But for now, I’m trying to put as much distance between us and the castle as possible.”
“Why the sudden change of heart?” My voice softens, afraid of his answer.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m feeling generous,” he responds.
“No, but seriously. Why help me now?” I need to know where he stands, where we stand.
“Because the brothers gave me some information—that changes things.”
“What kind of information About me?” I don’t bother hiding the eagerness in my voice.
“I can’t say until I know more. Later, I promise.” Always with the vagueness. Ugh!
“That’s not really fair,” I reply.
“Life usually isn’t,” Riven retorts.
