By the time we emerged from the cave, I was wet, muddy, and emotionally drained.
I looked like someone who'd lost a fight to a swamp… and possibly a squirrel.
Lucien, on the other hand, looked like he'd stepped straight off a runway. Not a hair out of place.
Rude.
"We need to move fast," he said, scanning the horizon. "We're heading to the capital. Eryndor—the largest kingdom in the realm."
"Is that the one with the twelve-story palace and an unhealthy obsession with shiny floors?"
"Yes. And the High Council. And the best chance of allies."
"Cool, cool, cool," I said, squinting into the trees. "So, do we teleport? Fly? Ride a griffin?"
Lucien smirked—and whistled sharply.
That's when the horse showed up.
Actually, calling it a horse is like calling a dragon a lizard. This creature galloped out of nowhere, mane rippling like molten silver, eyes glowing faintly, and hooves sparking with every stride. It was like someone took a unicorn, removed the horn, sent it to the gym, and gave it a flair for the dramatic.
I blinked. "Did that horse just… glow?"
"This is Nyx," Lucien said, voice filled with quiet pride. "She's a shadowmare. Fastest mount in the realm."
Nyx huffed and looked me up and down like I owed her rent.
"Hi," I said awkwardly. "Please don't stomp on me."
Lucien swung onto her back with the grace of a warrior born to it. Naturally.
I… did not.
After three failed attempts and one spectacular leg cramp, I finally flopped up behind him, clinging to his waist like a terrified backpack.
"If I fall, I'm haunting you," I muttered.
"Just hold on."
And zoom. We were off.
Nyx didn't gallop—she teleported between strides. It felt like riding a rollercoaster made of chaos and wind.
"THIS IS NOT OKAY!" I yelled into Lucien's shoulder. "WHY IS THE SKY GETTING CLOSER?!"
"You're fine!"
"I SAW MY LIFE FLASH BEFORE MY EYES AND IT WAS MOSTLY EMBARRASSING!"
We tore through forests, over rivers, across mountain ridges that had no business being rideable—and at one point, I'm pretty sure we ran on a cloud.
Nyx neighed happily, clearly living her best life.
Me? I was 70% sure I'd lost three years of lifespan.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the golden towers of the capital shimmered in the distance.
I gasped softly. "Whoa… it's beautiful."
Lucien turned slightly, his profile outlined against the rising sun. "Welcome to Eryndor."
Then Nyx stumbled over a rock.
I lurched forward and accidentally headbutted Lucien square between the shoulder blades.
"…Ow."
"Sorry," I muttered. "I got overwhelmed by your majestic shoulder blades."
He sighed. "Let's just get there in one piece."
"Deal. But when we arrive, I demand a snack, a bath, and maybe a small parade."
Lucien shook his head, but I swore I saw the faintest smile tug at his lips.
We were finally here.
But somehow, I knew things were about to get far more complicated.