Page 55 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“We prefer to ride horseback. Ranbir and Winona are both research specialists. Ranbir studies the lands and Winona the creatures of the realm. They are likely the most well versed on their respective fields than anyone else in the world,” Noe explained with a proud tone. “Bellamy actually introduced them to each other, hoping they would work together to catalogue information for him. The sex started fairly soon after,” she said, throwing a wink at the pair.

“That is me, match maker extraordinaire,” the demon prince teased.

Ranbir huffed, a blush creeping onto his dark skin. Henry whooped, smacking the Healer quite firmly on his shoulder, the loud whack echoing in the night. Luca and Cyprus burst into laughter as Winona shot a beam of light at Noe, nearly sending her to the ground. My arm shook slightly, and I saw from the corner of my eye that Bellamy was also laughing softly.

“Really, it is because you cannot portal into Dunamis, there are wards to prevent it,” Henry added. “It is also dangerous for the horses, a risk I am not willing to take. That would leave us with no transportation or means of travel,” he finished. I nodded, though I still felt as if traveling through this realm was a bad idea at best.

“Plus, the journey allows me to collect items that are wonderful for medicinal purposes,” Ranbir said, sifting through his satchel. “Though I cannot say I am fond of the way horseback tosses around my vials.”

Winona giggled, her eyes never leaving her husband’s face.

I felt a pit grow in my stomach. I had never been on a horse before. A bead of sweat dripped down my back in spite of the cold as a faint neighing could be heard ahead.

When we were only a few steps away from the wooden structure, the ball of light moved, stopping just in front of Henry. The demon opened his hands, bringing them together over the iridescent sphere in a loud smack. At the impact, the light shattered, pieces floating to each of us. Bellamy urged me on, our respective beads following us to light our way.

I tried to swallow, but the lump in my throat refused to allow me that kindness. Sheer terror overcame me with the thought of being atop a creature so large. At that I recalled how Xavier had always told me that fear was inevitable, how pointless it was to run from it.

“Only fools deny and ignore something as inescapable as fear, Ash,” he would state. “What really matters is how you take that fear and overcome it.”

I would overcome this. If I could control the minds of all in attendance of my introductory ball while likely poisoned, I could ride a horse.

We rounded the corner then, and came upon the open entry of stables. Inside were at least a dozen horses, which was good because with each of us riding alone, we would need nearly all of them.

Bellamy’s grip on my hand tightened while he pulled me past each of the stalls, the horses huffing at us when we passed as if displeased by the idea of not being picked. I chuckled lightly, enjoying the amount of personality the beasts had. At least I would die laughing. We stopped at the very last stall, where the sight of the horse made me gasp.

“She is beautiful, right?” Bellamy whispered, a small smile forming on his face. I nodded, my mouth agape. The mare was silver from head to toe, matching perfectly to my cloak. Her eyes were the same startling color, glowing in the night with the help of our demon light. “I had Pino make a cloak to match, I thought you might enjoy a break from all of the gold.”

I tensed at the comment.

Gold. My least favorite color. Such a small gesture to anyone else, but to me, the idea of not wearing it was a dream. As soon as I got back to the Fae Realm, I would once again don the royal color. But, for now, Bellamy had ensured that I remained comfortable.

No, it was more than that. He had found a way to make me feel like someone. I was not a princess, The Manipulator, or a pawn. I was Asher, and that meant I could wear anything—be anything. Even if only for the length of this trip.

I tried to tell myself that he was tricking me. The horse, the perfectly decorated chambers, my clothing, all of it a bribe for my complacency and my forgiveness.

Yet, something inside of me hummed at his nearness, at his words. A part of me felt lighter, somehow. For the first time this week, I found myself smiling, truly smiling, and meaning it with my entire heart.

“Her name is Frost,” Bellamy said. That got my attention. In the Fae Realm, we considered frost to be the antithesis of ash. The opposite of me.

Bellamy’s gaze left my skin tingling. He was waiting. Hoping to gauge the way I reacted to the name choice, I imagined. Whether he was insinuating that I was darkness incarnate or perhaps making the analogy to convince me that he and I were the same, I was unsure. Either way, I had no interest in indulging him.

Instead, I slowly extended my arm, hand aiming for the head of the silver beast. She seemed docile, though I could sense a fire within her, those piercing eyes reading me.

Just like I read others.

I halted my movement just before I touched her, fingers and silver coat mere inches apart. I would let her meet me here—choose me rather than have me forced upon her.

Seconds ticked by, but I did not grow impatient. As always, I was aiming for acceptance, but this time it felt deeper. Frost was a different sort of hope. Jasper once told me that animals were astute judges of character. They could easily identify an enemy, but also a friend. Trust was something earned with animals.

The Single had said that while in his tigris form, he was able to see auras. Mine, apparently, was a pure white, like the midday sun on a bright summer day. If Frost rejected me now, I would have to smack Jasper for his lies.

Finally, Frost reached her muzzle towards my opened hand. She was soft, impossibly so. I pet her gently, a gruff exhale of breath, similar to a rough purr broke free of her mouth. I smiled, enjoying the way the horse nuzzled her nose further into my hand. In response, Frost came closer, licking my face.

Bellamy burst into laughter at my disgusted expression when I recoiled. The demon prince was bent over as the amusement shook his body, hands gripping his stomach while I wiped my cheek. Frost started lifting her front legs off the ground, huffing at the two of us.

“She either really likes you or the poor thing could use a little more salt in her diet,” Bellamy said once his chuckles died down.

“Why salt?” I asked, ignoring the amusement still lighting his eyes.

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