Page 1 of Brighter Than Gold

Chapter1

Reyah

My back and hips ached with the even sway of the mare beneath me. The small group of eight I traveled with were already into our second day of riding as we headed towards the homestead. The King thought this to be the safest place for me and our unborn child, until whatever threats made against the palace were taken care of.

We’d been riding since early morning and the combination of my stiff muscles and a full bladder finally forced me to pull my horse up to the head of our detail.

“Briggs,” I called up to the general. “Can we stop for a short break? Please?”

The daunting man sighed. “You know what I’m going to tell you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Callan, can we please take a break. Better?” The general had reminded me countless times to refrain from using his surname. If anyone recognized the name it could put us in jeopardy. He was taking no risks, despite us being the only people for miles.

“Yes, we can stop. There’s a clearing up ahead.”

It seemed that the frigid summit of winter had ended, and soon spring would begin its leisurely descent over the northern half of the Realm.

“Back on the horses in an hour,” Callan barked sharply at everyone as we pulled off the path.

Two other guards began tossing logs and branches together to build up a fire.

The other soldiers traveling with us had exchanged their tidy marine blue palace uniforms for regular civilian clothing, and I’d nearly balked at how much less threatening they looked now, despite their tall stature and heavy weaponry.

The military men all but kept to themselves, except Callan of course, whose constant proximity was about as pleasant as being chased by a very determined mosquito. Before I’d even left the palace, the King had commanded him never to let me out of his sight. The night prior I was horrified to discover that the room Nyx and I were staying in had a connecting door to Callan’s room, which he removed from the hinges after I had locked it on him numerous times. I got the distinct impression he was not enjoying this invisible tether either, but being the dedicated soldier he was, his own emotions were staunchly abandoned.

I had also become acquainted with the two women traveling with us; Briar and Silva, whom I determined must be lady’s maids.

Nyx took long, pained strides over to me, obviously sore from riding as well.

“I have one fresh mango left, after that I don’t think we’ll be so lucky this far from the palace greenhouses,” he said, handing me the fruit from his satchel.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“Are you warm enough, ma’am?” Silva said hurrying over to us. She was middle-aged and extremely attentive.

“Nearly sweating, Silva, thank you,” I answered politely.

“All right then, take this, keep hydrated,” she instructed, handing me a flagon of water.

“She hovers,” Nyx whispered when the woman was finally out of earshot.

I chuckled. “She does. Darling, can you hold these? I’m about to burst,” I said, handing him the fruit and water.

“I’ll walk with you,” Briar said, overhearing me. She was perhaps a year or two younger than me, with large, pretty doe-eyes.

I thanked her and we turned into the wooded area. We were nearly out of sight of the small camp when we heard someone trudging through the snow behind us.

“Are you serious?” I shouted, annoyed.

“Sorry ma’am,” Callan apologised apathetically, as he continued to shadow us.

“I don’t believe we’ll need you to defend us from any rogue pinecones, surely you can give the lady some privacy,” Briar admonished. I decided that instant that I adored her.

“Orders, ladies,” he excused.

“Well, that is far enough then. Turn around,” Briar snapped.

To my surprise, the general sighed and did as he was told. With an angry huff, I ducked behind a cedar. “How will this work?” I yelled from behind the greenery as I hiked up my heavy skirts. “How do you plan on keeping such a short leash on me? Surely not every inn has adjoining rooms.”

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