Page 84 of Immortal Throne

Wrathen snorted again, and I didn’t need to hear his voice in my head to know he agreed with my assessment.

“So graceful,” Ryker noted. “Mesmerizing.”

“Shut up.” I turned to him. “What now?”

“We ride.”

“To do what?” I waved at the forest. “What’s the purpose of this trial?”

Ryker shrugged. “My demon mount wouldn’t say. I suspect it’s a race.”

“Hardly seems fair.” One of us had experience riding and it wasn’t me. But, Wrathen had said this trial wasn’t what it seemed. Maybe I still had a chance.

Time to go. Wrathen gave me a second of warning before he launched forward. I gripped the reins in one hand and the saddle with the other and held on for my life.

I didn’t know a lot about horses or riding aside from the four gates—walk, trot, canter, and gallop. I used to get sucked into watching televised horse jumping events and cheered for the horse with the best name despite knowing absolutely nothing about the sport.

This demon mount didn't move like any of the horses I’d seen. Wrathen went straight from standing to what must be a demon mount equivalent to a gallop. He didn’t hesitate, he didn’t ease into it, gradually getting faster. One moment, I sat in the saddle, ogling Ryker on his demon mount and then, after a moment of suspension, we hurtled through the dark forest.

His feet struck the ground. His front legs made no sound, while the back two made a similar sound to horses running. It sounded weird. It felt odd.

I wanted off.

Unease curled in my gut, and as I leaned forward, the familiar tickle of magic raced down my spine. Glancing around, pink ribbons of magic wrapped around us and crackled in my ears. It was binding us together, connecting me to Wrathen.

Something clicked then, and the pressure of the energy ceased. That’s when Wrathen let out a high-pitched squeal of delight, one that I felt in my bones.

I had fused with the giant demon mount.

It was difficult to describe, but I could suddenly feel the earth flying underneath us as we sped past trees and thick brush. I sensed his rapid heartbeat—felt it as if it pounded next to my own. I could count his breaths, match them to mine. We were moving as if we were one.

Holy shit. This is terrifying.

Ryker moved his mount closer, a large grin on his face. I didn’t need to ask. He loved every minute of this.

His mount strained forward, his head bobbing with each powerful stride, his pointed teeth flashing just as brightly as Ryker’s.

We raced on beside each other, time seeming to stand still to allow us some freedom. I glanced over at Ryker again. If only we could stay like this. If only life was as simple as riding demon mounts through the forest together.

After what felt like an hour, Wrathen’s breathing became ragged.

Are you okay?

I’m fine.

Foam frothed from the mouth of Ryker’s mount, and his coat glistened with sweat.

Neither of you look fine, I said.Is this normal for you? To run for so long at this speed?

No.

We broke free of the forest. A small village appeared out of the mist. Firelight illuminated a few windows, but darkness drenched the majority of the town. A tall stone wall surrounded the buildings.

“What are those?” I asked.

Large furry-shaped beasts ran around the outside of the town, howling, snarling and throwing themselves at the town wall.

“Werewolves.” Ryker pressed his lips together and spurred his mount forward.

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