We came to a stop beside a well designed to mimic a fountain as the water was risen enough for playing children to dip their hands in. Immediately, a guard came pushing through bodies of busy workers to aid me, lifting his hand unto me. I waved him off and climbed off the horse first so Ember could dismount without having to touch me.
I winced on his behalf when he hopped off out of habit, his exhaustion blurring the prominent reminders of pain in his leg.
He hissed. Swaying on his feet a little. And he collected himself too quickly, like he would have been punished if he couldn't swallow the pain.
To the guard who'd offered to help me, Ember passed the lead of his horse. "Don't be stingy with the food and water. Keep her out of the cold, and no one rides her."
The guard wanted to protest, but Ember had already walked away. And helplessly, the man looked at me, to which I offered an apologetic smile.
