Page 44 of Realm of Nightmares
Maeve stared up at the mass of shadows that seemed to obscure the body of a beast. It possessed four definite legs, a large frame, and great antlers protruded from its head. At least, she assumed they were antlers. The true shape of it was hidden beneath a layer of silver flames. Mist puffed out from its nostrils in the cold air, and it stomped one hoof upon the solid ground as it watched her, gazing at her with its milky white orb-like eyes.
“What is this thing?” she asked, holding out her hand as the creature in question snorted once, then gave her an approving sniff.
“It’s amabvstalis.”
She rolled the Old Laic term around in her mind and the only translation she could come up with was “death stallion.”
Fitting. Though she had to admit, she preferred the term death stallion.
Maeve startled as Rowan’s hands came around her waist. He plucked her off the ground, then deposited her onto the back of the strange creature.
“Here.” He handed her a set of sleek, black leather straps. “Take the reins.”
“Rowan…” She gripped them tightly, fisting them with both hands. “I can’t control this. I’ve never ridden a…mabvstalisbefore.”
“Sure you can.” He brushed off her concern and mounted the one standing next to hers. He looked incredibly at ease on the back of the beast, like they’d been made for him, shadows and all. “They’re incredibly intuitive. Besides, it’s no different than riding a horse.”
“Right.” Maeve drew the word out, pinching her breath in her lungs as the creature shifted beneath her, tossing its phantom mane.
“Come on.” He urged the pair ofmabvstalisforward and out the back door of the stables.
He mumbled a word she didn’t understand, and the otherworldly animals took off, bounding in the direction of the rugged mountains whose jagged peaks cut across the gray skyline like majestic pillars carved from black opals.
They moved with swift elegance, hastening across the field toward the east, carrying Maeve away from the unnerving forest. Themabvstalispicked up speed, its hooves thundering against the sodden earth. Cold air stung her face and though her fingers were numb, she tucked her elbows in and clutched the reins with both hands. Her braid peeled from off her shoulder, whipping behind her like a band of gold and pink.
It was glorious.
Themabvstalisraced with reckless abandon, gliding over the earth as though they rode upon the wind. Excitement bubbled up inside Maeve, freeing and unencumbered. She wanted to throw her arms out, to let the silver flames and moonlight carry her to the stars.
She stole a hasty look over at Rowan.
The breeze ruffled his hair, brushing it back from his face. His cheeks were flushed, the exhilaration from riding filling him with life, and when his gaze met hers, he grinned. His smile was wide and real, exuberant with a youthfulness she’d never witnessed.
Her answering smile caused her cheeks to ache.
Scenery blurred past her, all places in the Ether she’d never seen before, all cloaked in mist and shadows. The landscape around them changed, morphing from an endless meadow bursting with dark violet blooms and tall, graying grass to a wooded area where vines coiled around the trunks of mangled trees and sloping mountains rose to greet the forest of clouds.
Themabvstalisslowed, meandering through the sparse cluster of trees, and Maeve fought to catch her own breath. She sat back, her heart still beating in time to the wild pace they’d set on their journey. Despite the gradual rise and fall of her chest, she could hear the rush of the wind echoing in her ears.
Except it wasn’t the wind.It was the call of the sea.
The grove of trees split open, revealing a rocky coastline that stretched for miles. Mountains carved the sky, their iridescent peaks cutting through the slivers of mist like finely crafted blades. Salty air enveloped her, and she swiped at an errant curl, pushing it back from her face, unable to look away from the empyrean beauty of the Gaulbron Deep.
“It’s breathtaking.”
Rowan climbed off hismabvstalisand offered her his hand. “I thought you might like it.”
He helped her down, and when her boots hit the sand, it was like walking on layers of folded satin.
They ambled down the stretch of beach, pausing every now and then while Maeve bent down to inspect a rock covered in tiny craters or to scoop up a shell that caught her eye. She picked up one shaped like a teardrop, large enough to cover her entire palm. It was like holding moonlight in her hands.
“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Rowan’s voice was strained, and she glanced up, only to find him staring at her.
Maeve pressed her lips together and turned away from him. She couldn’t face him, not when he was looking at her likethat. Like she held the whole of his heart.
