Page 56 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

I once again began petting the mare, giving her a warning look that hopefully conveyed my distaste with her choice of affection. I could gladly scratch her all day, but the licking just would not do. Her long tongue was not a particularly welcome feeling.

“She could be licking you to taste the salt on your skin.” He shrugged. It was an interesting fact, and one I was surprised the prince would know. I was sure Henry would hold an extensive knowledge of the species since he mentioned they were an interest of his, but Bellamy had never mentioned them. Not that I had asked.

I knew so much about the Bellamy I met in The Capital, but I doubted anything he told me then had been true. Though his dishonesty and carefully constructed traits had been no fault of mine. While a part of me—the smarter portion—desired to maintain that distance we had forged, another wanted to know him.

And yet mere moments ago I had told myself that he did not deserve to know me.

Despite all that had transpired between us these last few weeks, did I deserve to know him? Was I any better than the demon at my side? A strange look passed over Bellamy, and I suddenly felt a sort of prodding at my power, like a tug. Then I realized it was Bellamy projecting his thoughts, practically screaming in his mind.

Pondering my next action for a moment, I decided it would not hurt to indulge my curiosity, especially when these beings repeatedly surprised me with their extensive knowledge of my powers. An understanding that went beyond even my own.

I would give anything to know what is going on in that beautiful head of yours.

Bellamy’s thoughts rang through my ears as if he had spoken them aloud. Just as Calista’s had. Just as Noe’s had. I stared at him, assessing the playfulness in his mental tone and comparing it to the desperation etched on his face. He meant those words. Possibly had contemplated them for a while. I weighed my own response.

Answer one of my questions, and I will tell you.

I could lay myself bare if it meant gaining information, I had offered the same to Noe. Not that thinking of my past hurts would help me at the moment. While he considered my offer, I thought up a question that would aid me during this journey. I had conjured a fairly decent question when he tugged once more. This time, I did not hesitate to grab onto his mind.

What would you like to know, Princess?

Rolling my eyes at the nickname, or insult, I hurled my question into the black void, watching his face as he listened.

Why do you bring fae here?

I regretted my choice immediately, wishing I had opted for a more direct phrasing—specific, impossible to work around. I needed answers, not hints and riddles. Despite how little I knew about Bellamy, one thing I could be sure of was that he would only offer the bare minimum of information. He was secretive, hesitant to trust. The thoughts and truths he guarded and hid would not be found easily.

“Let’s get you mounted, and when we are all moving, I will tell you,” he spoke, opening Frost’s stable door. The nerves came back in full force, making my breath hitch and my palms sweat. I could do this. I was smart, strong, powerful. I could ride a horse.

I watched as Bellamy hooked a black saddle onto Frost, the silver of her hair glittering in comparison to the dark leather. When he was finished with the complicated straps, tugging rather roughly to make sure it was secure, the demon prince waved his hand towards Frost. I slowly stepped towards the horse, patting her neck lightly to stall.

If he knew what I was doing, Bellamy did not let on. Instead, he nodded to me, moving across the stable walkway. His ball of light followed, highlighting a jet-black horse that was not only larger than Frost in height, but in sheer size. I wondered briefly how he would manage to get atop the horse, then decided that I should probably focus on how I was going to get onto Frost. I turned to face her once more, taking in a deep breath.

Then I did something I had never tried before—I reached out for Frost’s mind. Mia told me many years ago that it was likely I would be able to manipulate any mind, even a common mouse. But she also told me it would be a waste of my energy, which before seemed so finite. Not like the well of power that thrummed in my chest now. Somewhere deep in my subconscious a nagging, gnawing thought tried to free itself. I ignored it, focusing instead on the horse in front of me.

When Frost felt me invade her senses, she became frantic, jumping and kicking. For a split second I let the panic sink in, thought perhaps I had harmed her in some way. But instinct took over, and soon I was ordering her much as I would any being.

Stay calm.

The horse settled, my words soothing her immediately. A sense of guilt came then, but I pushed it back. I would get nowhere with such an annoyingly persistent conscience. Breathing in and out slowly, pacing my own racing heart, I once again spoke in the mind of the mare.

Stay still. You trust me, and I trust you. We are a team, Frost. We will do this, together.

The horse let out a small huff, as if in agreement. I nodded to her, offering a small smile before hooking my foot onto what I assumed was some sort of footrest. I had seen palace guards do this time and time again, even Xavier had mounted a horse in front of me once or twice.

I allowed myself a brief glance back at Bellamy. He was still arranging the saddle, his back to me. This would be my only chance to avoid embarrassment. As a final precaution, I reminded Frost to stay still.

I pushed up with my left foot, grabbing onto the saddle with both hands. Using every ounce of my strength to get myself onto the horse, I hoisted my body up. Too much strength, I realized a moment later. My chest passed over the saddle, my stomach following suit. Then my hips hit the leather with a loud smack, torso slamming into Frost’s side. She stood her ground, only letting out a short grunt of disapproval. I laid there, barely on the horse at all, while the blood rushed to my head.

How in the Underworld was I to get down? Or even right side up? I quickly became light-headed as I attempted to grab onto the rope hanging from the saddle. No amount of pulling was working, though.

Stuck. I was completely stuck. Like a bumbling fool.

Hands gripped my ankles, a chuckle sounding behind me. Oh please, no. I murmured a quick plea for him to just let me sit there and wilt, but it was no use. Bellamy was tugging my legs down, sliding my body slowly off of Frost.

His hands moved to my thighs, branding my skin through the thick trousers. Then he had me by the waist, his grip strong and unrelenting. One moment I was a dead fish on the horse, the next I was in his arms, a dimpled smile flashing down at me.

“I had a feeling you would not know how to ride, but I did not expect you to fail so miserably at mounting poor Frost,” Bellamy teased.

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