The horses picked up speed once they’d left the river, and soon they galloped through fields of daisies and green meadowlands.
Thick strands of blond hair flew wildly behind Aspen, and the warm breeze prickled her cheeks. Her T-shirt was pressed firmly against her body by the wind, and she breathed in the smell of leather, sweat, and horses as she dug her knees into the beautiful white steed beneath her and allowed it to take control.
After a long ride, the sky changed color, and Leeman reined in his horse and raised his hand. Everyone stopped as his powerful voice shouted over the loud group. The riders behind him jerked their animals to a halt, and the small but deadly army of Dream Walkers gathered around their leader.
Aspen struggled to control her horse until Dylan whistled behind her. The beautiful white beast slowed down and then stopped. It turned its muzzle into his cupped palm as he pulled his horse next to hers. She watched it nibble the small piece of apple Dylan held, and he petted its head soothingly.
“That’s a good baby,” he murmured. While rubbing the horse’s ears, he stared straight into her eyes, and her heart thumped in her chest.
Leeman spoke up again, and they all turned as one to give him their attention.
“Listen up, everyone. Stay together and Demothi will cloak us in case the Chancellors come out this far. We have to wait for Lavendula to finish before we can go any farther.”
She watched her uncle with pride as he sat up on his horse, easily commanding the army of people around him. Long black hair was tied back from his face, and a heavy belt circled his hips. The Gimler hung innocently from it. There was no mistaking the weapon’s power—she’d seen it in action firsthand—and she smiled as she thought about all the damage it could do.
Leeman looked strong and intimidating, and she loved the fact that he was related to her. Not having a father to protect her like her friends did was awful, but she knew that her uncle thought of her as his own child, and would do anything to make sure she was safe. That knowledge made her feel good.
“Once we reach the outskirts of the castle, we’ll leave our horses with Princess Aspen and her followers. Then the Fire Walkers will start their distraction so that we can enter the castle. We’re concentrating on the dungeons. I want to be in and out as soon as possible, no wandering anywhere else in the castle. Everyone must be out as soon as we are done with the dungeons, understood?”
The crowd murmured their agreement, and Leeman nodded his head before he turned his horse around. Demothi chanted and waved his wand in the air, and Aspen knew that they were safe from detection. The lavender sky cooled the air on her skin, and she sat back in the saddle and turned to face Dylan.
Ruby chose that moment to walk her horse through the group of animals and stop next to them.
“Hi, sweetie.” She grinned and sidled up to Dylan. Tendrils of auburn hair had escaped her ponytail that was loosely tied, and they framed her pretty face. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
“Ruby.” Dylan nodded his head at her.
“Are you having fun yet?” Her full lips curved into a smile, and she reached over to stroke the flank of Dylan’s horse right next to his thigh.
It took all of Aspen’s control not to smack her. Ruby was way too familiar with Dylan, and the way she spoke to him made Aspen want to scream.
Just as she was about to butt in, someone called her name.
Chapter 22
Dungeons and Castles
“Aspen!” Leeman angled his horse toward her. As he neared, she overheard Ruby’s last sentence.
“Why are you playing with her, Dylan? Seriously! She’s a Halfling.” Ruby pouted her bow-shaped mouth and shook her head.
Dylan’s silence was heartbreaking. It was impossible for Aspen to hide the hurt in her eyes, and she refused to look at Dylan. All she could think of was that he hadn’t defended her. Did he need to, though? Was Ruby insulting her?
“Come with me, Princess. Demothi wants to show you how to hide the horses when we leave.” Leeman grabbed her bridle and pulled her horse toward his, and she had no choice but to follow.
As she left, she saw Caden on his dappled horse. His lips were narrowed in a thin line as he glared at Ruby, but Aspen was too upset to give it more thought.
Wiping her reddened eyes, she tried to process what she’d just heard. Did Dylan think less of her for being a Halfling? What did it matter if her mother wasn’t a Dream Walker? She was a princess—surely that counted for something? Why didn’t he stand up for her? Did he think she was inferior too?
“Aspen, are you listening to me?”
She jerked as her uncle tried to get her attention. This wasn’t the time for tears, and she straightened her back in the saddle. Demothi sat on a pure white horse right in front of her. It was the same size as Leeman’s, but was so much scarier. This beast had angry eyes that blazed as it snorted and shook its massive head, definitely warning her not to get too close.
“Demothi needs you to help us,” Leeman said.