Legendary by L. H. Nicole

be there before the moon reaches its peak.”
    Aliana stiffened as Belle tossed her head, flaring her wings wide. “You mean we would have her run us there?” Aliana asked, hoping she had misunderstood their intent. But she was rarely that lucky.
    “No, I mean she could fly us,” Galahad stated.
    Aliana gulped and felt herself turn a few shades of green. “Are you trying to be funny again?”
    Galahad grinned devilishly. “You brave the Red Wind forest and the Sidhe’s tower by yourself, yet now you are frightened of flying on a Pegasus?” He crossed his arms over his broad chest before stepping closer to her. Aliana now stood surrounded by all four of her strange companions.
    “I am not frightened .” Okay, so that one was a lie. “But I couldn’t fall hundreds of feet to the ground in the forest or the keep.”
    “No, you just got trapped by the Sidhe’s magic and fell from crumbling stairs,” Galahad pointed out.
    Aliana opened her mouth to defend herself, but J’alel spoke up first. “And, if I may add, you nearly had a Goblin’s arrow shot through you and your friend here.”
    Aliana glanced between the two men, jaw tightening. So what if she’d had a few issues earlier? “You’re telling me that riding a flying horse with no saddle or reins never ended badly?”
    “You seem to forget that I will be with you. Do you not trust me to protect you?” Galahad’s eyes bored into hers. “The issue is settled.” He looked past her to the Pegasus.
    Belle rubbed the side of her head along Aliana’s shoulder, trying to give comfort. Aliana stared up at the bright moon that lit their entire surroundings. Lord save me from the arrogance of men! “Fine. But when I fall to my death, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She turned her back to the two smug men, muttering to herself about arrogant males.
    A hand gripped her elbow, jerking her back around and into a hard chest. Stunned, she gazed up into Galahad’s fiery blue eyes. “I will see to your safety, my lady. Do not doubt that.”
    Unable to speak, Aliana nodded her answer.
    J’alel cleared his throat. “Belle says she will gladly assist you in any way she can.”
    Aliana broke away from Galahad, blushing as she met the Elf’s amused eyes. She pursed her lips in annoyance at him.
    “So how am I supposed to get up there without a saddle? In case the two of you haven’t noticed, Belle here is, like, twice the size of any normal horse.”
    The Pegasus kneeled down on the ground with her wings flared so Aliana wouldn’t step on them. “Guess that answers that,” she muttered to herself. Even lying on the ground, Belle came up to her waist. As she was preparing to throw her leg over the large creature, a pair of strong hands gripped her about the waist and easily lifted her onto the animal.
    Belle’s muscles shifted under her silky pelt as she rose to stand. With a small squeak, Aliana grabbed onto the snow-white mane, holding so tightly her fingers started to ache. She glanced at the three guys who were all watching her. Daggerhorne chuckled while J’alel smiled luminously. Galahad was the worst, staring at her with a smirk on his lips.
    She blushed, beyond embarrassed, as she awkwardly adjusted her seat. “I hope y’all enjoyed that. Can we go now?” At least she’d be able to enjoy watching Galahad struggle to get onto Belle’s back.
    As if reading her thoughts, Galahad placed his hands on the Pegasus and pulled himself up, swinging his leg behind her as easily as if he were floating. He settled himself flush against Aliana from his chest all the way to her thighs. Calm as ever, he enclosed her in his arms, wrapping one around her waist and grabbing a handful of Belle’s mane with his other hand.
    “This seems like a really bad idea.” Her heart beat so strongly that she was afraid Galahad would hear it.
    With a chuckle, the knight turned back to J’alel. “We will send word to you after we awaken the king, but in the meantime, Aliana