Bond unbroken

Lark sighed. Nothing would matter if Duke William had his way. She had no doubt he meant to stop her from winning her silver wings.

She ran her hand over Tup’s back and found it dry. She put the blanket back on and swung the saddle up and over. As she buckled the straps, she said, “This is it now, my Tup. We go on to Arlton and hope we can find the Palace, and Baron Rys, without difficulty. After that . . . I can’t tell you.”

Tup turned his head, and his shining black eye regarded her for a long moment. She stroked his cheek. “Aye,” she said softly. “Aye, my lovely, fine boy. Whatever happens, at least we’re together.”

She leaped into the saddle, adjusted her boots in the stirrups, and they were off . . .