Page 54 of Hold my Reins

twenty-five

He was free.

The weight of Rox on his back and the pressure of his arms around his neck were nothing compared to the silent demand of the bridle and the reminder that he wasn’t free while wearing the silver chain.

And now it was broken.

And he had Rox.

And Rox had him.

He resisted the urge to prance through the woods in delight, as that might jostle Rox, and he’d fall off. He was far too tense, squeezing with his thighs and arms as though he expected to slide off. Rox needed more practice before they could race along the lake’s edge or swim in the lake.

In the clearing where he’d met Bothvar lay the body of a frost giant. His arm cleaved from his body, blood seeping into the ground while his eyes stared up at the sky without seeing.

Lynck didn’t need to get close to know it wasn’t Bothvar.

He stepped past the body. Ears pricked forward, listening for the telltale signs of battle. Heavy footsteps, metal on metal, harsh breaths and shouts. If they’d gone through the portal,they’d have to follow to save Thursten. He couldn’t let his friend keep fighting when he was free.

Lynck let out a whinny, hoping Bothvar would call for him.

“What is it?” Rox whispered against his neck.

“To me, kelpie,” Bothvar shouted.

Lynck quickened his pace. He paused as he approached the grunting fighters, giving Rox a moment to slither off his back. He used his nose to nudge him into the shadow of a tree and hoped Rox stayed there. Rox nodded and brushed his nose against Lynck’s.

No words needed to be spoken.

The simple nose touch made Lynck’s heart swell with love. His nose tingled, and he bumped Rox again. This time to nudge him closer to the tree so he was well out of sight. Then he turned his attention to the fight. Bothvar and his friend were both fighting Thursten and a leshy, and they were all injured.

Lynck reared back with a whinny, drawing attention to him.

Bothvar ran toward him, not realizing the bridle was gone. “Kill the troll!”

Thursten and the leshy continued to fight the other frost giant , metal clashing.

Lynck walked forward as if to obey, then as he passed Bothvar, he lashed out with his hind legs, kicking him in the chest and sending him tumbling back. Bothvar dropped his sword and clutched at his chest. Lynck kicked again, and Bothvar sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from his lips.

Bothvar stared up at him. “You’re free.”

Lynck stood over him, remembering all the deaths he’d caused while compelled. This was the only one that mattered. He lifted one front leg and stomped on Bothvar’s skull. Bone cracked, and brains splattered like he’d stepped on an overripe melon. Bothvar would never give another kelpie orders. In the monster realm, every kelpie he’d bridled would also be freed.

He shifted. Bothvar’s blood remained on his hand and caught around his fingernails. He considered it for a second, then smeared it over the fresh scar on his nose and cheeks, preparing for battle. He picked up Bothvar’s sword, not caring that he was naked, and stalked toward the frost giant. “Your boss is dead.”

It was enough to make the man falter. Thursten slammed the butt of his ax into the man’s arm. He cried out and dropped his sword, and the leshy kicked it away.

“Kneel,” Thursten ordered.

The frost giant dropped to his knees, swallowing rapidly as if he didn’t know what to say.

Lynck didn’t want to hear him say anything. He leveled the sword at the frost giant’s throat. “Your kind has terrorized mine for too long. Their bridles will be broken, and there was no time to hand over control of the magic to another. They are free, and I hope they slaughter everyone who worked for Bothvar on their way back to their herds. Let the blood of the frost giants flood the lakes and rivers on our day of freedom.

“I have the scent of your blood, and I will patrol these woods, hunting frost giants. I will warn the human soldiers, and all of your kind who attempt to cross will be denied passage. The same way you have denied passage through the mountains, though I will accept no coin. I do it gladly. Now fuck off and do not return.”

“You heard him.” Thursten dragged the frost giant up as if unbothered by his cold skin and larger size.

The leshy propelled the frost giant toward the portal, shoving him through with no regard for what was on the other side. “Be glad you still live.”

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