Page 70 of Nightmare's Dance

“Probably lizards of some sort or another,” Camila replied, sounding unconcerned. “Maybe some dinosaurs.”

“Should we be worried?” Geraint asked.

“No. Keep an eye on them, but overall, we’re in no danger from the wildlife.” Camila patted her horse. “Watch our mounts,” she continued. “If they get upset, then we’ll worry.”

“Okay.” I had to trust her. That didn’t stop me from glancing at Nic.

He kept his gaze moving around, but didn’t seem overly bothered.

I glanced back at my knight, who shrugged. He knew only marginally more about this land than I did.

Before we could move off, the horses threw up their heads and snorted. I had only moments to worry about what was going on before they bolted. Nic rode up next to me, wrapping shadows around my waist to hold me to the horse. Something dove around us, and red streaked across the horse’s flank in front of me. It kicked out and ran faster.

More creatures dove around us, sharp wings slicing at my arm.

“Birds,” Nic said. “Corvids. You can trace that fear back to a movie.”

Geraint and Nic did their best to hold off the rain of black birds trying to slice us with wings and beaks. Nic with his shadows and Geraint with a sword he’d pulled from somewhere. Nic’s shadows provided us a shield, but it wasn’t perfect, and we were still cut and bleeding by the time the horses slowed.

“There.” Camila pointed up.

“Jester,” Nic ordered.

Robby gave Nic a sardonic bow from horseback before sliding off, turning sideways, and disappearing.

The birds continued to pelt us around Nic’s shadows. He shoved out a burst of essence and pushed the birds away.

“It won’t last, but that will give us a minute or two.”

We didn’t have to wait long before Robby reappeared. “She’s there and willing to help.”

“Camila, all my thanks,” Nic said to the succubus.

“Of course, your highness. Anything I can do for you will be my pleasure.” Her tone of voice made it obvious she was open to the possibilities. I tried not to let it bother me.

I looked up again. It was only twenty or thirty feet in the air. I could do it. Really. I’d almost rather face the birds.

“I will take you,” Nic said. “We don’t have much time.”

I hadn’t noticed him come over next to me. He put his hand over mine, smoothing some of the tension away with his touch. This time, our contact wasn’t as intense, but the desire deep inside me perked up and took notice.

“If we fashion fabric to climb like you are used to, knight, can you ascend on your own?”

“Yes,” Geraint said. “Ember shouldn’t have any issues, either.” He shot me a puzzled look, and it occurred to me he hadn’t experienced my reaction to Baz’s torture yet.

“Heights and I aren’t getting along very well right now,” I admitted, casting my gaze toward the ground and trying to ignore the shame that caught in my throat like a lump.

“None of that,” Nic said. “It’s not your fault, and you’ll get through it. Now is simply not the time to confront your very justifiable fear.”

I nodded.

“Ahh, right,” Geraint replied with understanding. “Yeah, we’ll work on it back in the conscious realm.”

Nic waved his hand and a set of black silks tumbled from the edge of the cliff, unfurling. For a minute my fingers itched to climb, to perform, and then the fear came crashing back and I looked away.

Geraint didn’t waste time, wrapping his hands around the fabric, trapping it between his feet, and climbing swiftly toward the ledge.

Robby again vanished after stroking the lead horse on the shoulder. I gave mine a quick pat. Nic put his hands on my hips. Automatically, I put my hands on his shoulders for support, and he helped me slide off into his arms.

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