~ ZARA ~
Every breath seemed to take a lifetime, like I sucked it in against resistance. And yet, hours passed in a blur.
Ash and I barely spoke. The moment we were hidden by trees from view of the stable or castle, he leaned in to whisper, asking if I was comfortable to let the horses run for some time to get some distance between us. I nodded robotically, and he squeezed my arm, then dug his heels in, pulling the lead-horse with him as his gelding. My mare danced until I let her go—which only took a moment.
Then we were flying.
I'd always loved galloping horses. Their fastest gait was remarkably smooth. But on excellent horseflesh like this, we flew. It seemed my pretty mare's feet barely touched the ground.
