neither ever wanted to let go. Refusing to allow herself to worry about the future and what would happen once they got back to SouthWard, Willow took pleasure in the moment. She drew strength from his quiet embrace and she fancied she lent him some of her own.
When he finally pulled away, his mouth curved into a warm smile which she felt all the way to her toes. “Let’s head down to the courtyard. Our horses should be saddled and ready.”
He held out his arm and she took it. Together, they left to begin the final part of their journey.
* * *
Though Ruben had known instinctively that King Drem had designed something to contain Chad, he wasn’t prepared for the rolling prison that waited for them in the courtyard: a brightly painted wagon, so colorful it might have belonged to gypsies. Six huge draft horses were hitched to it, which might have been overkill had not the inside been entirely encased in iron, forming a cage. Inside, Chad sat quietly, head in his hands. Ruben almost felt sorry for the other man. Almost.
Eric and Tatiana, already mounted, alternated between glaring at Ruben and Willow and staring at Chad.
Astride a magnificent black horse, King Drem waited to lead them from his castle.
First Ruben helped Willow on her horse. Though she smiled bravely at him, sadness darkened her caramel-brown eyes to the color of chocolate as she gazed at King Drem. He knew she was going to miss him.
Though he definitely understood how she felt—he hadn’t seen his parents in what seemed like forever—she’d be fine, he knew. Especially if she followed through on her promise to visit often.
King Drem blew Willow a kiss. Finally smiling, she blew one back. And then, at Ruben’s signal, they turned their mounts to go.
They rode out without pomp or circumstance, the clip clop of the horses’ hooves on the cobblestones the only sound. When they reached the path that led into the forest, King Drem reined in.
“I leave you here,” he announced, his dark gaze settling on Willow. When she acknowledged his look with a smile, he turned to eye Ruben. “Take care of her,” he ordered. “Or I’ll find you.”
Then, without giving Ruben a chance to answer, he signaled to his men and they rode away, leaving four behind plus the coachman who controlled the wagon. Throughout all of this, Chad never once looked up.
Riding alongside him, Eric and Tatiana exchanged a meaningful glance, as though they had something planned, but Ruben didn’t worry. Their magical ability had been contained. If they planned to try something else, something physical, they’d be easily overcome.
The guards, stern-faced men clad all in black, each with blank expressions, the magic pulsing off them palpable, even to Ruben. He was glad to feel it, well aware of how deadly it could be.
They rode hard that entire day, communication limited by the brutal pace they set. As dusk prepared to fall, Ruben began to scout a place where they could make camp.
Finally, he located a clearing large enough to accommodate them all. Signaling to the leader of the guard, they stopped. It didn’t take long for the tents to go up. Unusually quiet, Tatiana immediately disappeared into hers. Instead of joining her, Eric went to attempt to speak with his brother.
Ruben watched them and noticed Chad kept his head lowered, apparently in an attempt to appear nonresponsive. The two brothers conversed, no doubt trying to come up with some last-ditch scheme before they reached SouthWard.
Looking up, he noticed one of the guards regarding them, as well. Good. Though he seriously doubted they’d be able to accomplish much, the fact that they were up to no good was disruptive enough.
“Ruben.” Still standing next to her horse, Willow waved him over. “The animals are worried.”
“About Eric and Tatiana?”
She nodded.
“With their magic bound, I don’t think they’ll be too big of a threat,” he said.
She cast him a troubled glance. “They can still stir things up, even without magic.”
Unable to resist touching her, even if only for a moment, he squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll have a word with the guards.”
With a ghost of a smile, she nodded. Then, standing up on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek, whisper soft. “I’m going to bunk down with the horses. There’s no way I’m sharing a tent with my sister tonight.”
“I don’t blame you,” he said.
Moistening her lips, she looked down. “Anyway, if you’re not too tired, I wouldn’t mind your company later.”