Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
He starts down the path again. I follow him eagerly this time. It would be best if I can get back before Beck realizes I’m gone. When I find my way to camp I’ll throw off my clothes and sneak into our nest of blankets. When Beck shows up, I’ll tempt him into bed where I intend to prove to him we’re perfect together.
“How do you know all this stuff?” I didn’t mention that my husband is the king. I follow the red man off the path and hear water flowing somewhere close by. Maybe I haven’t gotten so far. We followed a river last night to get to our campsite by the lake. I must be getting close.
“I know everything, dearie,” the man states plainly. “It’s all a part of who I am.”
Before I can continue the line of questioning, I’m halted by a sight so beautiful it takes my breath away.
We’ve crested a small hill, and the river is now in view. There’s an early morning mist floating off the water giving everything a hazy, soft feel. Standing gracefully in the shallows is the most elegant horse I’ve ever seen. It’s pure white and gives off a sheen of sweetness and innocence as it leans down and drinks.
Magic. This whole place is magic. How could I have ever thought about leaving?
“It’s so beautiful.” I speak in hushed tones, not wanting to scare it off.
“She’s magic, dear,” the red man explains. “She roams the forest and aids travelers in getting to their destinations.”
I search my brain, trying to remember the one class I took in mythology and lore. It was mostly about the Greek and Roman gods, but there was a small section on Irish folklore. I think I skipped that day. My penchant for urban fantasy and romance novels are the only reason I know what a sidhe is.
“She’ll take me to Beck?”
There’s an odd light in the red man’s eyes. “Yes, dearie. She’ll take you to your husband.” He notes my hesitation and shrugs. “Or you can walk aimlessly through the woods and never find him. These woods are enchanted. If you don’t know your way around them, you could be lost forever. Your husband will wander the woods, seeking you. It happens all the time.”
The red man looks like he can’t care less what I do. Time is running out. I decided to take a chance on Beck, so it only follows I can take another. “All right. How do I get back to him?”
The red man is already retreating. “She will tell you.” I turn and the red man is completely gone. His voice still echoes through the trees. “Just let her lead you home.”
A shiver passes through me, but there’s nothing else to do but take the chance. I start toward the river. The horse turns her head toward me, and for a moment I worry that I’ll startle it away. Then the gentle eyes look right through me, and I feel as if the horse can see to my soul. Now that I’m close, I can see that there are flowers woven into the mare’s mane. The mare has obviously been swimming in the river because her mane drips with pure river water.
Feeling more comfortable, I step closer. The horse’s eyes seem luminous in the early morning light. It feels like a magical moment when I hold my hand out and gently brush the horse. I’m surprised to find the skin cold. There’s no warmth in the flesh, but perhaps I’m being fanciful. Of course, if the horse has been wading through the river, it follows that her skin will be cold.
The horse snickers, a welcoming sound. She shakes her head and gracefully leans down, as though inviting me to mount her.
“Okay, but I gotta warn you, I’m not good at this.” The horse shakes her mane. Suddenly, I know the horse wants me to haul myself up this way. “I hope this doesn’t hurt.”
I wrap my fingers in her mane, noting the flowers seem to be attached to weeds in some places. I manage to get my leg over the horse’s back and am pleased when I get into an upright position.
“Piece of cake,” I mutter to myself. My hands are shaking as I try to pull them out of the mane to get a better hold. “Take me back to my husband.”
My hands seem stuck in the coarse hairs. I pull, but they don’t budge. I try to shift my legs. They hold fast to the horse’s flesh.
The horse snickers. This time it sounds less gentle, more triumphant, and not in a good way. The horse’s eyes narrow and become somewhat cruel.
“Oh, shit.” Something has gone very wrong.
The horse rears up and takes off at a gallop. I fly with her and then scream as the horse plunges us both into the deepest part of the river. I feel the horse stiffen as something hits it, but it doesn’t matter.