Page 43 of Tethered Thrones

“What?”

“My horse... she came back... I don't have to ride you anymore.”

I laughed and metallic liquid splattered from between my lips.

Hadi's eyes widened in horror.

“Clem!” he shouted.

Suddenly, I was being lifted into the air. The world spun around me. I couldn't make sense of up or down as he bound over the field, trying to reach our most magical member for help.

Suddenly I saw him. Clem was a bright white light, like moonlight was shining off of him, but his entire body was red. He was angry.

I wanted to tell him not to worry, but suddenly I was falling away.

Hadi's hands tightened on me. Two held me firmly around the middle, one cradled the back of my head, another held my legs in place.

I heard him gasp as we were swallowed by darkness and then the sudden jarring feeling as we hit solid ground, reminding me that this was all real and not a dream, even though it felt like it was.

“What happened?” I whispered once I found my voice.

“We fell into one of the fissures,” Hadi said, voice tight. “Don't worry Sun. I will get you out of here. You will be okay. I promise.”

I could feel his heart pounding against me. Nothing had set him on edge yet the way this had.

“Look at you...” I found myself saying into the dark. “It seems you really do care.”

One of his hands loosened and suddenly was on my cheek, stroking gently. I could see nothing in this darkness, but it wouldn't surprise me if he could see me at least a little bit.

“Keep talking,” was all he said.

“Haru returned,” I found myself saying in answer. “She came back.”

“Yes,” he agreed, and I felt the familiar sway of him walking.

“Why did Tsuki bring back my horse?” Then another more troubling question hit me. “What will happen to her? She isup there without me. A zombie horse in the middle of the battlefield. What if someone kills her again...?”

I trailed off, the thought exhausting me.

“You're hurting me,” I whispered, trying to wiggle free, but Hadi's hard grip on my back tightened.

“Don't,” he snapped. Then, with a hiss, I felt something cold and sticky suddenly seal over the spot he had been holding.

I gasped and remembered.

“I was stabbed.”

“Yes. But you will be fine.Wewill be fine.”

He cursed and we slipped. I was jerked in his arms and felt the wound more clearly now. My body felt cold, wet with sweat. I was shaking now.

“This is not good.”

“Don't panic,” he said sternly. “We just need to find somewhere to climb, or...”

His voice trailed off.

“What is it?” I asked.

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