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By the time we emerged from the cave, I was wet, muddy, and emotionally drained. I looked like someone who'd lost a fight to a swamp and possibly a squirrel.
Lucien, on the other hand, looked like he just stepped off a runway. Not a hair out of place.
Rude.
"We need to move fast," he said, scanning the horizon. "We're heading to the capital. The biggest kingdom—Eryndor."
"Is that the one with the twelve-story palace and an unhealthy obsession with shiny floors?"
"Yes. And the High Council. And the best chance of allies."
"Cool cool cool," I said, squinting into the trees. "So, do we teleport? Fly? Ride a griffin?"
Lucien smirked and whistled sharply.
That's when the horse showed up.
Actually, calling it a horse is like calling a dragon a lizard. This beast galloped out of nowhere, mane flowing like molten silver, eyes glowing faintly, and hooves sparking as they hit the ground. It was like someone took a unicorn, removed the horn, gave it a gym membership, and added a dash of dramatic flair.
I blinked. "Did that horse just… glow?"
"This is Nyx," Lucien said with the pride of someone showing off their muscle car. "She's a shadowmare. Fastest mount in the realm."
Nyx huffed and looked me up and down like I owed her rent.
"Hi," I said awkwardly. "Please don't stomp on me."
Lucien mounted her with ease. Naturally.
I… did not.
After three failed attempts and one very dramatic leg cramp, I finally flopped up behind him, clinging to his waist like a terrified backpack.
"If I fall, I'm haunting you," I muttered.
"Just hold on."
And zoom. We were off.
Nyx didn't run, she teleported between gallops. It felt like riding a very bumpy rollercoaster at light speed while someone slapped you with wind.
"THIS IS NOT OKAY!" I yelled into the back of Lucien's shoulder. "WHY IS THE SKY GETTING CLOSER?!"
"You're fine!"
"I SAW MY LIFE FLASH BEFORE MY EYES AND IT WAS MOSTLY EMBARRASSING!"
We zipped through forests, over rivers, across mountains that looked suspiciously like they had no safe path, and at one point, I'm pretty sure we rode on top of a cloud. Nyx neighed like she was having the time of her life. I, on the other hand, was pretty sure I lost three years of lifespan.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the golden towers of the capital rose in the distance.
I gasped. "Whoa… it's beautiful."
Lucien turned slightly. "Welcome to Eryndor."
Then Nyx stumbled slightly and I accidentally headbutted Lucien in the back.
"…Ow."
"Sorry," I muttered. "I got overwhelmed by your majestic shoulder blades."
He sighed. "Let's just get there in one piece."
"Deal. But when we arrive, I demand a snack, a bath, and maybe a small parade."
Lucien shook his head, but I swore I saw a smile tug at the corner of his mouth.
We were finally here—but I had a feeling things were just about to get way more complicated.
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