Page 98 of Cages and Crowns
“The general?” I nod and he shrugs before instructing the guard to find Nero. “Why him?” He asks when he turns back to me.
“I met him yesterday and he made me feel almost…normal. I need that right now.” He nods again as we walk out to the courtyard where two horses are saddled and waiting. Their saddles are plain, no markings that signify our status. One of the horses is chocolate brown, the other gray with darker spots along its legs.
“Oh, this reminds me! Some girl with red hair took your horse. She told me to tell you thank you.” He says with a small chuckle.
“What?” I smile and look at him, my brows raised in confusion.
“When we rescued you, we ran into a woman in the stables. She told us where to go and then she took a big black horse with her.” He shrugs.
“Sybil.” My smile widens as I remember my sweet mare who seemed to be double the size of a normal horse. I believe someone called her a Percheron, but I don’t even know what that is. I smile even more thinking of Nylah, and how she is probably back in Tatus with Cyn. My face falls as I think of the small child I will probably never see again.
“Our mother?” Enzo asks, interrupting my thoughts. I bite my lip and nod, turning back towards the horses.
“That horse was a gift from King Evreux to me. He named her Sybil, and when he died, I kept her.” I explain as we approach the horses.
“I think there might be a lot of family history I am unaware of.” He mutters.
“I can tell you anything you’d like.” I offer. Not that there is much Iremember about my childhood, but I do remember enough to give him some insight into our mother.
“Tell me on the journey.” I give him a soft smile as I turn to see an approaching man. His armor is gone and in its place is a white tunic and cream pants. Two short swords are strapped to his back, but he looks almost normal. Not like a general of the army.
“You requested me, my queen?” He asks as he bows deeply.
“Yes, my brother and I are going on a day trip, and I figured it would be safer to have a general at our side. Who knows what men are creeping about in the wisteria.” I attempt to keep my voice stoic, but something about Nero brings out a smile in me.
“My pleasure.” He purrs while righting himself. He nods once at Enzo before gesturing to my horse. “May I?” He holds out his hand and I step into it, throwing my leg over the saddle as he hoists me up. “I will fetch another horse.” He says before disappearing around the backside of my chocolate mare.
“My queen,” Enzo mocks with a snort before climbing into his own saddle. “That man is going to get himself killed.”
“How is him calling me ‘my queen’ going to get him killed?” I snap, surprised at my irritation. He gestures towards the entryway where a figure cloaked in shadow stands.
“Nithe is going to gut him like a fish.”
“Nithe can go fuck himself.” Enzo coughs out a laugh, the sound echoing through the nearly empty courtyard as he guides our horses towards the road.
“Gods, you have a way with words.”
Nero trots in front of us, his golden horse shining in the sun. His head is on a constant swivel as he scans the surrounding area. We are on a hill-lined path, but I can’t tell what direction we are going in.
“Where are we going?” I ask after a bit of silence. I’m enjoying the slight breeze, the cool air licking my cheeks. It really is a nice summer. Not scorchinglike home would have been. Clean and crisp air.
“Wistervale.” Enzo responds.
“I don’t know what that is.” I admit.
“It’s Rakushia’s largest city. By comparison, that would be Tellavid or Cragport in Noterra.” He provides, looking around as if he, too, is expecting someone to jump out of nowhere and attack.
“Oh.” Is all I say as I look out at the endless fields. We pass farms and tiny homes that are secluded, hidden from people who pass by. I wonder what it would be like to live out in the open like this. No guards, just land and animals. I feel like it would be a peaceful life. “Why are we going to Wistervale?”
“Because you have been locked in three palaces your entire life and I figured you would want to live a little.” He looks over at me, a smirk quirking up half his mouth.
“What are we going to do there?”
“Whatever you want. We can eat pastries and all sorts of foods, we can go dancing in one of the many halls, we can get drunk at a tavern. We can explore or sit in one place. Nothing is off the table. I want you to see what it is we are fighting for. Who we are protecting by preventing a war.”
“You want me to see our people.” I look at him, his back straight and shoulders back as he watches our surroundings, just as protective as the general leading the way.
“Yourpeople.” He corrects.
