Iridiel’s side. “We can all get along.”
“I can get along better if you grab ahold of my horn and—”
Thunk. The beast shudders beneath me and lets out a hard neigh when Gareth’s fist makes contact with his snout.
“Gareth!” I pat Iridiel and give Gareth a murderous glare. “I’m so sorry. He didn’t mean that.”
Chastain and Silmaran are laughing. Parnon’s rolling his eyes. And I’m trying to comfort the unicorn while Gareth simmers.
“I know he didn’t mean it. Barely felt it. Like the whisper of a dragonfly wing. An impotent one.” Iridiel stamps his hooves again. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to kick the shit out of your mate and then ram my horn up his ass.”
“No!” I swing my leg over and slide down his side, then rush to get between him and Gareth.
“Gareth, apologize.” I pet Iridiel’s nose. “I’m so sorry. Does it hurt bad?”
Iridiel dips his head. “It’d feel better if you touched my horn.”
Gareth growls. “I’m going to knock you out this time.”
“Stop, both of you!” I’ve had it. “That is the end of it. Gareth, you will not hit Iridiel. Iridiel, you will take us to the Abyss. You two will not fight! Now, Gareth, apologize for hitting him.”
“I don’t think—”
“I said apologize!” I howl.
“Fine. My apologies,” he grumbles out.
Iridiel snorts but doesn’t make an attempt to kick Gareth or impale him on his horn. I have to take the little victories.
“Thank you.” I give Iridiel’s muzzle one more pat before taking Gareth’s hand and leading him to the unicorn’s side. “Okay. Let’s get going.”
Chastain is astride his unicorn, Parnon sits in a wagon pulled by two mules, and the rest of the company are on unicorns or in the back of the wagon along with the supplies. Gareth puts me on Iridiel’s back again, then climbs up behind me. Iridiel curses but seems to bear our weight with ease.
“My heart will be here with you. Please take care of it while I’m gone.” Chastain gives Silmaran a smile.
“Come back for it as soon as you can. Otherwise, I might accidentally sell it at the market or lose it in a fountain.”
Chastain grins and leans down to catch her hand and press a kiss to it. “As you command.”
Her lip trembles, but she doesn’t cry, then raises her voice for all to hear. “Be safe, all of you, and take our hope with you to those who need it most.”
Gareth wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me tight to his chest as he handles the reins. “Here we go, my beloved. To the Abyss where mortals and immortals fear to tread. Are you ready?”
I put my hand over his as Iridiel saunters toward the winding road outside Cranthum. “As long as I’m with you, I think I can handle it.”
He kisses my shoulder. “My fearless changeling. The Ancestors bless me far beyond what I deserve.”
Heart. Melts. To. Goo.
“Can you fingerbang her or something to keep me interested? The lovey dovey stuff is boring and this journey is going to be long and—”
A solid kick from Gareth shuts Iridiel’s mouth as we leave the city behind, forge a new way ahead, and embrace the unknown.
11
Gareth
The road is long and hot, and by the time the sun begins to set, Beth is weary in my arms. She sways with Iridiel’s motion, her head lolling against my chest.
Chastain rides beside me, the dunes on either side of us giving way to peculiar vines that seem to slither over the sand. The horizon is darker, a distant set of craggy peaks promising trouble as the sand ends and a new world begins. Soon after that, the world will disappear altogether, sunken into the blackest pit on the face of Arin.
“You’ve travelled through the Abyss?” I keep my voice as low as I can. Not that it matters, a snore escapes Beth’s mouth as we canter along the road.
Chastain shakes his head. “No. Never. But Parnon and several of the fighters have. They know the way.”
“Isn’t there more than one way?” I’ve heard about the Abyss through tales and warnings, but I don’t have a true idea of what it is or what dangers lurk there.
“There are more ways than I can count, but all except one lead to disaster. The right way is guarded by slavers and far worse things.”
“Worse than slavers?” Beth stretches. “Nothing worse than that.”
“Slavers won’t eat you. Some of the things in that hole will.” Iridiel shivers. “There’s a huge roiling ball of