Page 112 of Shadows of Winter

“Do they not know the rules about respecting nobility?” Kaylina asked.

“They don’t feel human rules apply to their species. Sadly, there’s nothing in the treaty between our people and their elders about respect.” Vlerion lifted a hand to make a shooing motion and pointed past them to the carriage, but he paused and considered the taybarri thoughtfully. “Actually, it might not be a bad idea for you to show up at the royal castle riding one of them. I assume that’s what they’re offering.”

Crenoch sniffed Kaylina’s pockets, but the borrowed dress had never carried a honey drop. “I wouldn’t assume that.”

Vlerion snorted. “They’ll do whatever you wish.”

“Are any people besides rangers allowed to ride taybarri?” Kaylina patted the female wistfully.

She would love to ride a taybarri by herself, without hanging on to Vlerion. But was this the time? She wanted her mead to stand out and earn the attention of royalty. Not herself.

“Anyone the taybarri allow on their back can ride one,” Vlerion said as if he were stating the obvious.

Kaylina rolled her eyes. “Well, yes, I’d assume so, but don’t they usually let only rangers ride them?”

“Rangers and anrokk.” Without asking her or the taybarri, Vlerion boosted her onto the female’s back.

The dress made it awkward, and she ended up with it hiked to her thighs. Kaylina gripped the blue fur and watched the female, worried they’d misread the offer and that the taybarri would buck her off. But the female held her head high, swished her tail, and made a phhhtphhht noise with her tongue against her teeth as she looked at Crenoch.

Crenoch whuffed. In indignation?

“At least let Kaylina finish her training before you abandon me for her,” Vlerion told him. “Of course, you may have to tail wrestle with some of your buddies to figure out who gets to carry the honey lady into battle.”

The female swished her tail again.

“What’s her name?” Kaylina patted the strong, stout neck while Vlerion mounted Crenoch, then let her fingers twine into the thick luxurious fur as the taybarri started moving.

“Levitke.”

Their taybarri strode for the gate, walking side by side.

Kaylina’s only experiences riding them were on Crenoch with Vlerion, and she’d been distracted, at least the last time, by his body pressed against hers. Even so, she was fairly certain the male taybarri hadn’t had a sway to his gait. She looked back to find Levitke’s tail swishing back and forth. It had the effect of her hips swaying as she walked.

“Do all the female taybarri… sashay?” Kaylina asked.

Vlerion looked over at them. “I believe she’s proud to carry you.”

His gaze shifted to Kaylina’s bared legs and snagged. “The carriage might have been more practical in a dress.”

“I did not insist on this.”

He cleared his throat and looked forward.

Kaylina smiled, liking that he found her attractive, but her lips turned down when she remembered what his mother said, that the beast within him might be drawn to her because she was an anrokk. The thought saddened her, even if it made sense.

Ranger headquarters wasn’t far from the royal castle, and it was visible on its clifftop perch as soon as they exited the compound. Kaylina forced her mind to more practical matters. Like how she was going to keep her speech contrite and proper and stay out of trouble.

Why did the queen want to see her anyway? Since nothing had gone her way lately, Kaylina couldn’t imagine that good luck was about to befall her. Even if she’d been someone prone to optimism, Vlerion’s grimness when he’d come for her would have squelched it. He believed she was in danger. She made a note to shove her dress down as soon as she arrived in the castle, lest the queen think she was female competition who needed to be poisoned.

As they traveled along the road that switchbacked up the steep ascent to the royal castle, they had a view of the entire harbor, the city sprawling to the south, and the snowy mountains to the east. Unlike farther north, the towers and walls overlooking the harbor were in good condition and manned. She glimpsed blue-furred taybarri as well as men watching ships coming and going. From those walls, they could see ten miles or more up and down the strait.

“Targon stationed a lot of rangers with the Guard.” Vlerion was also looking at the towers. “I assume he’s not taking what the girl said as a certainty. It’s possible the Virts plan to attack during the speech. A lot of people will be in the area, listening to the king and preparing for holiday celebrations. Explosives could do a lot of damage—they could kill many. Indiscriminately.” His gaze shifted to the city, especially squares and streets with views of the cliff and the castle.

Since Kaylina had never heard the king speak, she didn’t know where he stood to address his people, but on a still day, his words might carry from one of the balconies down to the bottom of the cliff. Especially if he used something to amplify his voice.

Blue-furred taybarri padded through the city streets as well, the rangers keeping an eye on everything.

“There wouldn’t be any of them left in the stable for me to let out, even if I were so inclined,” Kaylina said.

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