“Adora holds a central role in the war,” the blind servant informed me last night. “Some say she already knows which way it’ll go, and which way Faelen’ll fall, and that’s how she’s influencing it. Though I don’t know as I believe that. The ol’ crazy’s no mind reader, if you get what I mean.” Breck snickered to herself. “Otherwise she’d’ve figured out long afore now that Eogan’s pro’ly ne’er gonna give in to her cravings for ’im.”
I didn’t respond. I’d no desire to discuss what that woman craved.
I drop my gaze from Adora’s window and shake Breck’s words away as the ocean clouds slide overhead and block the sun’s glimmer.
I’m almost to the cottage when the dirt underfoot begins shaking and the sound of stamping greets me. I look up for new smoke—none—and then for a second I think Colin’s beat me out here, except the vibrating earth is followed by a whinny. And I’m hoping Colin doesn’t whinny.
Rounding the corner, I stop full in my tracks at the sight of the two oversized, man-eating horses standing in the middle of the arena, kicking the ground and huffing. Their eyes go wide the instant they see me, and their muscles strain at their leads.
“Easy now,” a voice commands, and the beasts’ bodies ripple and relax. Although the glint in their eyes says they’re liable to change their minds any minute.
Eogan emerges from around their flanks, his black hair damp like the horses, and his shirt clinging to his chest like they’ve all been out for a run. “You’re early,” he grunts.
“So are you.”
He shifts both horses and presses them toward the trees, using lead ropes that are unique compared to the plow ropes most people use. Made of tight metal chain, these are clearly stronger and thicker while maintaining their flexibility. I suspect he made them out of necessity to control the giant beasts.
“It takes them a good hour of warming up before they’re disciplined enough to ride,” Eogan says.
“And you’re riding to . . . ?”
“Nowhere. You and Colin are.”
I swear one of the monsters turns to bare his teeth at me. Right. “Um, I’m not riding that thing.”
Colin’s loud whoop fills the air. “About time he brought the horses out.” He jogs up and bumps my shoulder in his remarkably shirtless state. His flirtatious smile melts my mood. “Lookin’ nice, Nym. Do your hair yerself this morning?”
“Maybe. Forget to dress yourself this morning?”
“Only cuz I know you like it.” He snickers and nods to the horses—one of which Eogan has managed to chain to a tree. “Can’t wait for the rush, yeah?”
“Oh yes. The rush of being eaten by insane horses.”
“Nah, they’ll only eat you if you let ’em. You just gotta show ’em who’s in charge. Isn’t that right, Eogan?”
He doesn’t answer. He’s too busy adjusting the reins on the larger of the two beasts while keeping his hand and head a safe distance from its jaws. It snaps at him anyway, but he responds with a firm cooing noise that makes the horse back down. I lift an eyebrow. Does his gift for calming me and others like me have the same effect on animals?
When Eogan turns to face us, it’s to bring the horse into the arena’s center. And to focus a pair of emerald eyes on me from behind jagged, clammy bangs. “Nym, start walking toward me. Slowly.”
“Oh good-mother-of-Faelen.”
Colin chuckles. “I think Nym needs to see a real champion show how it’s done!”
“Colin, stay. Nym, you’ll either walk or Colin will carry you, but you’re going to get over here now before Haven decides she doesn’t want to play anymore.”
“I didn’t realize she was playing,” I murmur. But I walk—well, more march with attitude—to where Eogan is holding the animal clearly begging to tear the flesh from my face. When I’m close enough, I recognize her as the one who almost bit my hand in the barn two nights ago.
“Go around behind me.” Eogan tips his chin toward the horse’s side, which is an enormous wall of compact muscle and fur I can’t actually see over the top of. I pin the inside of my cheek between my teeth and obey while the beast watches me and chomps her bit.
“Now go ahead and pat her shoulder to say hello.”
I pat.
“Like you mean it.”
I pat like I mean to say, Hi, horse, I hate this as much as you do. If you bite me, I’ll sink my teeth into you faster than you can swallow.
“Okay, good. See her jaw relax? She’s tolerating you.”
“How nice of her.”
“Now grab the mane and pull yourself up.”
I bite my cheek harder and look at the wall of horse. Then I look at Eogan and notice a sly quiver at the edge of his mouth, as if he finds my discomfort amusing. I glare.
The half smile disappears. “Do it, or I’ll let Colin come show you.”
Fine. I push the gimpy fingers of my left hand into the mane, wrapping it around my wrist before gripping it with my right hand as well. Then heave. Hot pain bursts from the new memorial tattoo, and before I realize it, I’ve cried out and fallen back flat on my hindside.
Eogan’s mouth twitches as he goes back to cooing in his stupid horse language. The animal’s whole body trembles, and suddenly her one crazy eye is trained right on me.
“Haven’s a beautiful girl. Just focus on her strength. Convince her to work for you, and you’ll become her master.”