Horse Charmer

by Angelia Almos

  "I." Daeshawna took a deep breath. "I have a bit of a problem."

  "Which is?" She hoped Luki wasn't right and Daeshawna hadn't run to the nearest soldier.

  "I'm afraid I only have one room available, room eight," Daeshawna said, her voice filled with dismay as she stared at Luki.

  Cassia relaxed, surprised at the innkeeper's tension, but then the source of dismay occurred to her as Luki tensed even more. "The single room will do. Luki, could you get Pakelika and our belongings, and take them up to our room."

  He frowned at her dismissal, but left the room with a warning glare at Daeshawna.

  Cassia eyed the nervous innkeeper with curiosity. "Why does my escort trouble you so?"

  Daeshawna shot a startled look at Cassia. "He doesn't."

  Cassia merely waited. Daeshawna's reaction to his presence still didn't make since to her.

  "Your Highness, when you were in your façade it was much easier to converse with you," Daeshawna said. "I guess seeing him, so ready to believe I might harm you, made it finally occur to me who I was speaking with, and you aren't happy with me. Making him unhappy with me and it's never healthy to upset royal guards."

  "Is that all?"

  Daeshawna nodded. "I can show you up to your room. I checked. There are no soldiers in the dining or lounging area so the path should be clear."

  "Thank you," Cassia said, but stopped the Dream Weaver. "Outside this room I am Lady Kaia."

  Daeshawna nodded and opened the door. The room was full, she followed Daeshawna, keeping her head down and not making eye contact for fear of someone recognizing her. Only after she had climbed the stairs did she relax.

  "The room isn't large," Daeshawna said in apology. "I'm afraid there won't be much room for you and your escorts."

  "It will have to do." She reached for her coin purse tied to her belt.

  The innkeeper held her hand up in rejection. "No, my lady."

  Cassia's lips curved slightly at the correct title. Daeshawna was good at this, something else to mull over later. The door was ajar and she could hear Luki and Pakelika already inside.

  "Let me know if you require anything," Daeshawna said.

  "Thank you." Cassia stepped in and glanced around the small room.

  It wasn't too hard to see why Daeshawna had been concerned. The room was tiny. Cassia shut the door behind her, locking herself in with two large men. Both Luki and Pakelika stared at her awkwardly.

  "Are the horses bedded down?" Cassia broke the uncomfortable silence.

  "Yes, Princess Cassia," Pakelika said.

  "Lady Kaia." She corrected him. "Here, I'm Lady Kaia."

  Pakelika nodded his head eagerly and Cassia had to look away. The idolization was starting to get to her. Perhaps, it would be best to have him return to his family. He'd been helpful in showing them the shortest route here to cut hours off their journey, but she wasn't sure if his continuing on with them was the right decision.

  "Well." She glanced around the room occupied by a small cot and just enough floor space for the two men to sleep. "We'll need blankets."

  "I'll get them." Pakelika volunteered.

  "Only make the request to the innkeeper," she ordered. "Do you know who she is?"

  "Yes, I saw her outside the door."

  "Very well."

  He eagerly jumped to the errand.

  Luki shook his head and tossed Cassia's bag to her. She caught it easily in the small space.

  "So, who gets the bed?" she asked with a smile.

  He rolled his eyes. "Take a guess."

  "I guess royalty does have its benefits."

  Luki hesitated. "I don't like this."

  "What?" she asked, sitting on the bed and opening her bag.

  "This." He gestured his hand around the room. "It isn't right?"

  "In what way?"

  He huffed. "It's improper."

  She nearly choked on a laugh. "Are we back to you not being a safe escort for me?"

  Cassia immediately regretted her words. As much as she wanted to know what he'd meant, she also didn't want to remind him of their argument. He didn't appear to take offence as he looked at her silently for a moment.

  "Sleeping in the same room wouldn't be proper even if you weren't a princess."

  "Ah, so it's the male-female thing."

  "The unmarried male-female thing," he emphasized.

  "But there are two of you?"

  "That makes it worse."

  "I think you underestimate your trustworthiness."

  "It's not trustworthiness," he hissed, angry she didn't understand the situation.

  A jolt went through her stomach at reading his emotions. Could she be getting better at this? She read horses, not people. "Then explain it to me in little words."

  Pakelika came in to the room, followed by Daeshawna, each with a pile of blankets.

  "Thank you," Cassia said as Daeshawna nodded and left the room.

  "You're on that side," Luki said to Pakelika, putting himself between Cassia and the young man.

  She almost smiled, but held it back knowing Luki wouldn't find it funny. Once all of the blankets had been positioned into as comfortable a nest as possible the two men were left with nothing to do, but stand there awkwardly.

  You should go to sleep.

  They don't look ready to sleep, Cassia thought.

  They can wait in the hall until they are.

  She laughed out loud and both men stared at her as if she had lost her mind. The expressions on their faces made her laugh even harder until she had to lie down and wipe the tears off her cheeks. Exhaustion hit her. All of her limbs weighed down heavily.

  "We'll wait outside while you get ready." Luki grabbed Pakelika's arm.

  He shut the door behind them and she could hear Luki's voice as he talked to Pakelika quietly, but she couldn't make out his words.

  Cassia didn't have the energy to eavesdrop and that was when she remembered. She had no appropriate sleeping clothes. Oh, no. She pawed through her bag, but knew she wouldn't find anything.

  Kali?

  You humans worry too much. Sleep now. Worry later.

  I have nothing to wear.

  She could feel Kali's snort. It doesn't matter.

  Of course it does.

  Why?

  Because…She couldn't think why, as Luki had said it was highly improper for her to be even resting alone in the same chamber with them and she didn't think protocol covered what would be appropriate to wear since it was understood such a thing would never happen.

  Luki knocked softly on the door. "Lady Kaia?"

  Cassia shot a look of mortification at the door and dropped her bag on the floor. "One moment."

  She untied her boots as quickly as she could and kicked them under the cot. She then climbed between the sheet and blanket fully clothed. She was tired enough that it shouldn't matter. She twisted around, uncomfortable with her belt and vest. She sat back up and pulled her vest off over her head with some difficulty since she didn't actually untie the laces and undid the belt hanging them on the corner of the cot. She laid back down a little more comfortable, but a little uneasy at how loose her shirt was without the vest and whether it would stay on.

  Luki knocked again.

  "Enter," she called, making sure the blanket covered her completely.

  Luki blew the light out that illuminated the room and suddenly she was in darkness and realized her lack of proper clothes didn't matter. They couldn't see anything.

  She listened to the two men walk gingerly into the room and lay down on their makeshift beds. It didn't take long for sleep to claim her.

  ****

  The grey dawn greeted her and it took Cassia a moment to remember where she was and who she was with. One of them snored. She had been so tired it hadn't woken her, but now that she was awake it was very distinct.

  Careful not to make any noise, she rolled over onto her side and glanced down. Luki was awake. His eyes open and his hands behind his he
ad, he gazed at her when he heard the rustle.

  So, he wasn't snoring. She looked past him to Pakelika who continued to snore. She sucked in the giggle knowing it probably wasn't the right response and her eyes drifted back to Luki's.

  His face was contemplative as he studied her and it didn't take long for her to feel self-conscious. No, she was a princess and above feeling self-conscious. At least that was what she told herself.

  "What?" she whispered.

  He blinked. "When do you want to set out?"

  It was a perfectly acceptable question, but it wasn't what he'd been thinking about. She narrowed her eyes at him and tried to give him her best regal frosty look. "That wasn't what you were going to ask me."

  Luki raised an eyebrow. "You talk in your sleep."

  Heat surged into her cheeks as she tried to recall her dream. There had been no visit from her father or the Dreamscape. "What did I say?"

  He smiled, a slow sexy smile lightening his face from his usual serious expression. "You don't remember your dream?"

  "If it was a normal dream, of course I don't remember. At least I think it was a normal dream, why, what did I say?"

  "Nothing coherent." He assured her. "A lot of unrelated words."

  He wasn't telling the truth, but she was too embarrassed by the possibilities to call him out. "Did you sleep at all between my ramblings and his snoring?"

  "Some." Luki sat up.

  His face now even with hers and his eyes trailed down, only to quickly jerk to the wall.

  Cassia looked down, the blanket was around her waist and, as she'd suspected, the shirt was barely hanging on. She pulled up the shoulders to cover herself and crossed her arms. Without looking at her, Luki handed her the vest and belt.

  She wanted to glare at him, but he still respectfully kept his eyes on the wall and then turned his back. Trying to decide who was more mortified, she pulled her vest over her head and, of course, got stuck in it. She struggled silently for a moment and then sighed. This is what happened when you rarely dressed yourself and undressed in the dark without untying any of the laces.

  "Luki?" Cassia whispered.

  "What?" he whispered back over Pakelika's snores.

  "I need your help." Cassia couldn't see him through the vest, but could tell by his silence that he wasn't pleased. She heard him shift, but he didn't move to help her. "Luki?"

  "What do you need me to do?"

  "I don't know. If I knew I could do it myself. I'm stuck."

  She'd tried to put her hands through the sleeves first and then pull it down, but the vest was stuck, covering her face and she couldn't get her arms free.

  Luki softly chuckled. His fingers brushed her shirt as he tugged on the vest. It remained stubbornly in place. The cot creaked lightly as he leaned on it and took a firmer hold on the leather material.

  "Straighten your arms," Luki whispered in her ear.

  Cassia did her best to comply and with a hard yank her head went through the hole. Luki was close. His gaze held hers. Uncertain, she instinctively stayed still. She dropped her eyes first, suddenly realizing the snoring had stopped.

  Luki slowly rocked back onto his heels, as if he'd also registered the absence of sound. "It's time to go. Go get the horses, Pakelika, I'll get our stuff together."

  Pakelika rolled over and without looking at Cassia stomped his feet into his boots and darted out the door.

  She followed his movements before looking back at Luki's uncomfortable face. "I apologize."

  "Why?" He shoved his own feet in his boots.

  Deciding it would be best to let the topic rest for now, she kicked her legs free of the blanket. From the corner of her eye, she could see Luki glance at her before he went back to lacing his boots.

  Kali?

  We're awake and ready. The others are rested and their stomachs are full.

  Pakelika will be there for you.

  You're upset?

  I'm fine.

  Kali was silent and she could feel the mare sorting.

  What's happened?

  We're packing up and will be down shortly.

  You're thinking of him.

  A blush crept up her cheeks again, heating even more with the knowledge that Luki was as aware of her as she was of him. He kicked the blankets in the corner and made sure they had their belongings. Quickly buckling on her belt, she shoved her feet into her boots.

  Cassia?

  Later.

  She didn't look at Luki again as she laced her boots and slung her bag over her shoulder.

  "Ready?" he asked.

  She nodded and he stepped out of the room first, looking up and down the hallway, canvassing for her safety before signaling her to follow him. Cassia trailed behind him, not surprised when he hesitated in the hall. Back door or front? She could almost see his brain working. The soldier encampment was behind the inn in the plowed field, but who knew who was in the front.

  Daeshawna made the decision for them when she stepped out of the dining area and motioned them forward. She held a wrapped bundle still warm from the oven which she handed to Cassia.

  "Breakfast," Daeshawna said. "I thought you would leave early."

  Luki barely nodded as he moved to look out the window by the front door.

  "Thank you, Daeshawna," Cassia said, meaning it.

  Luki gestured for her to move quickly and with one last smile at the Dream Weaver, Cassia left the inn. Pakelika had all three horses, tacked and ready to go, at the bottom of the steps. Luki swiftly helped Cassia mount and after swinging up on Dall, he led the way out of town toward the heart of Vespera.

  ****

  They rode quick and hard, but the miles slowly crept by as the sun rose into the sky. At last they came to a break in the trees. Castle Vespera rose above the hills and into the mountain. A pinch of panic gripped her. What if they didn't reach the advisors in time? She would continue on to find her father's horse, Rae, but there were events playing out that she didn't understand.

  Luki noticed her gaze. "We'll reach them."

  She stifled the urge to have Kali run headlong down the road. Dall and Ward were still trying to catch their breath.

  "How far ahead of us do you think the caravan is?" Cassia asked, sitting Kali's easy trot.

  "Not far." Luki focused back on the trail. "The road starts to climb just around that bend and that will slow them down a lot. We'll catch them."

  She again judged Dall and Ward's stamina. They weren't overly tired yet, but it would be a close one if she had them travel at the speed she wanted to. Kali agreed and slipped into a slow ground-eating lope. They rounded the bend and she could see the hill, at the top of the rise a line of carriages and soldiers.

  The Karahan Caravan! Her spirits lifted. They weren't too late. Castle Vespera loomed large over them, but she would reach the advisors before they reached the castle gates. Kali needed no urging and lowered her head, her speed increasing until Cassia could no longer see the caravan because of the tears in her eyes. Dall and Ward followed, but weren't able to keep pace with Kali.

  Kali started to slow and Cassia sat up tall, surprised by the Karahan soldiers lined up to block her. They had no idea it was their princess racing to them at top speed. The soldiers were ready, but hadn't drawn their weapons as Kali slid to a stop in front of them. She looked at each face, irritated she didn't recognize anyone in particular.

  "Princess Cassia?" a voice said behind the line.

  She searched past the soldiers, relief flooding her as Captain Maconahay became visible on foot next to the last carriage.

  "Let the Princess through!" Maconahay ordered.

  The soldiers quickly cleared a path for her to ride Kali through. She registered the surprised expression on Maconahay's face as she slid off of Kali's back next to him.

  "Thank you, Captain. I need to speak with the advisors."

  "Of course, but it's not captain anymore."

  He no longer had his captain's pins on his collar. She switched
her gaze to his face as he knocked on the carriage door. He flushed under her scrutiny and her stomach churned with regret and the knowledge that his downfall was her fault. He'd been her guard and she'd run away. He'd been left to shoulder the blame.

  "I'll make it right, Captain," Cassia said softly as the door opened.

  Maconahay bowed his head as he stepped back and nearly backed right into Kali who had shadowed Cassia. His eyes flickered to the horse's head, the lack of bridle obvious.

  Advisor Eb hung in the doorway, evidently processing through his amazement. He climbed out much quicker than a man of his size should be able to.

  "By all that is holy, our princess returned." Eb's voice reflected true joy. He looked her up and down and Cassia knew she didn't make the loveliest picture, but he didn't seem to care.

  "Halt!" One of the soldiers behind Cassia shouted.

  Cassia glanced over her shoulder. Luki and Pakelika were on the wrong end of drawn swords. She stuffed down her annoyance. Nothing ever went the way it should.

  "Let my escorts pass through!" Cassia forced authority into every word.

  Maconahay seconded her order and the men backed down. Luki and Pakelika rode up behind her and Eb frowned at them.

  "Who are these men?" Eb asked her.

  "My escorts. Surely you recognize Wrangler Luki, and this is Pakelika, the son of Wrangler Alrik."

  Eb glowered at them and then turned his glare on her. Relief cascaded through her. He was unchanged.

  "I have much to tell you," Cassia countered before Eb could reprimand her.

  A look of sadness passed over his face. "And I you. Come, into the carriage, we must not delay our journey. Cap-." Eb interrupted himself. "Lt. Maconahay, get us back underway and let the other advisors know who has joined us."

  "Sir." Maconahay saluted.

  "Your Highness." Eb gestured for her to climb into his carriage.

  She swallowed back her distaste. How she hated carriages and their confinement. But she climbed in, glancing briefly over her shoulder at Luki who had his eyes trained on her. She had a sudden panic he wouldn't stay.

  "Luki!"

  "By your command." A touch of a smile curved his lips in response to the urgency in her voice.

  Relief washed through her, and she nodded to Luki before sitting on the cushion. Eb's assistant, Kieran, tried not to stare at her in astonishment, unsuccessfully. The door shut as Eb sat down and then the carriage lurched into motion.