Chapter 16

 

Before we left for the Kasans' house, I wrote a letter back to my parents. I told them how much I missed them, and reassured them that things were still alright here. I then asked Father pointedly what involvement Zalen had had in Antor's present condition, and if he knew what the other countries had done as well. I told him honestly that the information would help me be better able to handle the situation here. I also begged both he and Mother for word of Rory, letting them know that it was harder not to hear anything at all.

I gave the letter to Ayd on my way to the stables to help Drade ready the horses for the ride. Trae whinnied when he saw me and trotted over to bump his head against my chest. I laughed and rubbed his ears.

“His leg's getting better,” Drade reassured me. He chuckled. “He's jealous that you're using a different horse.”

“Don't worry, Trae,” I told the animal. “As soon as you're better, we'll go riding.” As I ran my hand through his thick, tangled mane, an image of racing headlong through a long, winding valley full of huge, twisted black boulders came to my mind. I glanced up at Drade, worried that he knew his horse was talking to me.

He gave me another friendly smile, his eyes sharp. “It's a beautiful valley, one of our favorites. When he's healed, we'll have to go there.”

I nodded with a knot in my stomach. “Drade, I. . . .”

“I know,” he cut me off. “Don't worry. I won't say anything.”

I thanked him gratefully and left, my heart pounding. If anyone else knew? I shuddered away from the thought and made my way to where the others waited.

Andric wasn't there, but I took comfort in the fact that his horse, Tereg, was gone as well. Drade had saddled a blond mare for me to ride, and she stepped gracefully through the snow as though she was the princess. She didn't send me any images when I ran my hands through her soft fur, but I could feel her contentment and let myself absorb as much of it as I could.

The celebration at the Kasans' house was noisy and full of cheer. So many Antorans showed up that their neighbors opened their houses as well. They served simple but well-seasoned food, and there was plenty of spiced pumpkin milk and hot chocolate to keep the chill off us as we danced in the snow to lively tunes.

The Crowns grumbled at Prince Andric's appearance, but they got over it quickly enough when they realized their attitude wouldn’t chase him away. He simply treated them with perfect respect and though he didn't converse with them for more than a few minutes at a time, the conversations were civil.

Everyone was exhausted but happy by the time we went home that night. The festivities had chased away most of the solemnity brought on by our parents' letters insomuch that the boys actually invited the Prince to ride home with us instead of later like he had planned in order to give the Crowns their space. Andric rode near the head of the group, and though he didn't speak to anyone, he threw me a slight smile when they weren’t looking.