knew
intuitively what he wanted. Power and control. Unique enough to
assure his line, his rule. She had kept it a secret from him. He'd
known her child was half human, known she had found them, which had
probably given him the idea to try with me. He thought them dumb
like animals. But he did not know she could control the humans. Not
until she had created an army.
"Frey." Chevelle's voice
startled me. I looked up at him but he was staring at the diary on
the blanket beside me. "It's time to go."
I started to stand and he
grabbed my arm to help me, a little too forcefully for my taste.
But before I could protest, I realized I was standing unbearably
close to him. I could feel the length of his leg against the side
of mine and, too fast for me to look away, a flush tore through my
cheeks. He let go of my arm and turned, directing the others to the
horses.
I purposely kept a sluggish
pace as the others mounted, not wanting to ride near the front
where I knew he would be. And then I saw Anvil, his massive black
horse almost purring out breaths as they passed. I hurried, jumping
up into the saddle (and almost over the other side) to catch
him.
I casually fell in beside
him and gave him an earnest smile. It must have been transparent
because he laughed. I was undeterred. "Anvil," I tried to keep my
voice as subdued as possible, "do you mind if I ask you
something?"
"Probably."
I ignored him. "I was
reading my mother's diary and I was wondering... why would Asher
shun Fannie if she could use the animals?"
I expected him to give me a
stuttered reply spoken in a hushed tone or avoid answering all
together. He did neither, answering as clearly and normally as if
he had nothing to hide. "Francine kept her ability a secret. Not
just from Asher but from everyone."
I was speechless, I
couldn't even think of a follow up question. But he continued, "She
was smarter than anyone gave her credit for and paranoid to
boot."
I considered that,
remembering her conspiracy theories about High Council and the
villagers. I had thought them ridiculous, but, in hindsight, they
had more substance than I'd have imagined possible.
As I reflected, I caught
sight of a familiar expression on Anvil's face. It hadn't always
been familiar, not before I'd regained part of my memories, but I
could see his manner, like a reflection now. I'd been impressed
when I was younger, the way he'd regarded my grandfather. Such a
contrast from the others. Not like Asher was his ruler, but as if
he were his equal. No concern, no formality, just himself, calm and
undaunted by it all. He would have never bowed to Lord Asher. I found
myself smiling at the memory.
Chapter Seven
Out of the Blue
We rode without event for
days and I realized I'd started to become relaxed instead of more
prepared for the battle we were heading toward. When we stopped for
the evening I sought out Ruby for training, even though I knew
after a few whip lashes I'd regret it.
But she must have been
taking it easy on me because I didn't fare too badly, even besting
her twice. She cut practice short, prattling something about Grey,
and then stomped off toward Chevelle. I watched her for a moment
but a chill caught me as I stood, now motionless. I picked up my
pack and found the closest thing to an isolated spot I could to
change into some warmer clothes.
Ruby had taken to tinkering
with my clothes so the strings of the vest I held were adorned with
jewels and feathers. It reminded me of my strategy to sweep the sky
each day, which I cringed at neglecting. I stuffed the bejeweled
vest back into the pack but the next morning, as soon as we
mounted, I found a vessel and closed my eyes, settling into its
mind.
Though it had been a cool
morning, the sun was bright and the sky was clear. It was
embarrassing how long I soared before I noticed something was
wrong. I didn't exactly know where we were going, but I had no
doubt that wherever council was, it wasn't back up the
mountain.
I pulled
intuitively what he wanted. Power and control. Unique enough to
assure his line, his rule. She had kept it a secret from him. He'd
known her child was half human, known she had found them, which had
probably given him the idea to try with me. He thought them dumb
like animals. But he did not know she could control the humans. Not
until she had created an army.
"Frey." Chevelle's voice
startled me. I looked up at him but he was staring at the diary on
the blanket beside me. "It's time to go."
I started to stand and he
grabbed my arm to help me, a little too forcefully for my taste.
But before I could protest, I realized I was standing unbearably
close to him. I could feel the length of his leg against the side
of mine and, too fast for me to look away, a flush tore through my
cheeks. He let go of my arm and turned, directing the others to the
horses.
I purposely kept a sluggish
pace as the others mounted, not wanting to ride near the front
where I knew he would be. And then I saw Anvil, his massive black
horse almost purring out breaths as they passed. I hurried, jumping
up into the saddle (and almost over the other side) to catch
him.
I casually fell in beside
him and gave him an earnest smile. It must have been transparent
because he laughed. I was undeterred. "Anvil," I tried to keep my
voice as subdued as possible, "do you mind if I ask you
something?"
"Probably."
I ignored him. "I was
reading my mother's diary and I was wondering... why would Asher
shun Fannie if she could use the animals?"
I expected him to give me a
stuttered reply spoken in a hushed tone or avoid answering all
together. He did neither, answering as clearly and normally as if
he had nothing to hide. "Francine kept her ability a secret. Not
just from Asher but from everyone."
I was speechless, I
couldn't even think of a follow up question. But he continued, "She
was smarter than anyone gave her credit for and paranoid to
boot."
I considered that,
remembering her conspiracy theories about High Council and the
villagers. I had thought them ridiculous, but, in hindsight, they
had more substance than I'd have imagined possible.
As I reflected, I caught
sight of a familiar expression on Anvil's face. It hadn't always
been familiar, not before I'd regained part of my memories, but I
could see his manner, like a reflection now. I'd been impressed
when I was younger, the way he'd regarded my grandfather. Such a
contrast from the others. Not like Asher was his ruler, but as if
he were his equal. No concern, no formality, just himself, calm and
undaunted by it all. He would have never bowed to Lord Asher. I found
myself smiling at the memory.
Chapter Seven
Out of the Blue
We rode without event for
days and I realized I'd started to become relaxed instead of more
prepared for the battle we were heading toward. When we stopped for
the evening I sought out Ruby for training, even though I knew
after a few whip lashes I'd regret it.
But she must have been
taking it easy on me because I didn't fare too badly, even besting
her twice. She cut practice short, prattling something about Grey,
and then stomped off toward Chevelle. I watched her for a moment
but a chill caught me as I stood, now motionless. I picked up my
pack and found the closest thing to an isolated spot I could to
change into some warmer clothes.
Ruby had taken to tinkering
with my clothes so the strings of the vest I held were adorned with
jewels and feathers. It reminded me of my strategy to sweep the sky
each day, which I cringed at neglecting. I stuffed the bejeweled
vest back into the pack but the next morning, as soon as we
mounted, I found a vessel and closed my eyes, settling into its
mind.
Though it had been a cool
morning, the sun was bright and the sky was clear. It was
embarrassing how long I soared before I noticed something was
wrong. I didn't exactly know where we were going, but I had no
doubt that wherever council was, it wasn't back up the
mountain.
I pulled
Similar Books
