Crescent (Book 1)

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I know that something's different before I even enter the grand hall. A thick wool coat and a duster jacket lay at the foot of the bed this morning. I dress quickly before heading downstairs where a team of guards stand at attention while Ceth gives orders. I can see the snow flecking his hair as I walk closer, and like me, he's wearing a thick wool coat with the collar turned up against the cold. When he sees me, he nods his dismissal towards Ajax who bows before leading the soldiers toward the front gates.

Snow-laced wind blasts inside, and Ceth tugs me toward him, eyes lingering over me. "What are we doing?" I ask, and he grins down at me.

"I'm taking you to Cold's Summit. I have business in town and thought it would be a good time to be seen together."

"Seen together," I echo, tasting the words. Why exactly do we need to be seen together?

His hands find my shoulders, squeezing gently as our eyes meet. His eyes are practically glowing. I spot the crown set atop his golden hair, jewels gleaming at the delicate joints where the three stems of the crown intertwine. The jewels matched the hilt of the sword tucked at his hip- as well as the ring I'd unknowingly chosen to wear on my right hand. If he looks like a king, then I'm his dazzling queen. A prize gem for him to show off. His lips curl into a smile. "You play your part well, love."

"I'll be waiting outside," I slide away from him, pulling on my gloves and strolling toward the door without waiting for him to follow.

The courtyard is full of horses and stablehands. With the hoods of their ink colored cloaks pulled overhead, the stablehands look like shadows passing back and forth. Even as snow falls, their heads hang low as they tug the horses' reins, guiding them toward the open drawbridge.

I follow the soggy tracks toward the iron gate where Moira stands with a mare of her own. As small and frail as Moira looks, next to a horse, she's still a head above the horse's back. I approach slowly, and she smiles when I hold my hand out to the creature as it brays. As if it knows what lingers beneath our skin. It only takes a second for us to morph into beasts and run. It's right to fear us.

"Gentle," Moira pets the creature's narrow snout, trailing her fingers through its coffee brown mane until she reaches its silky pelt. "It's okay, girl." The horse huffs a breath, nuzzling my hand and allowing me closer.

"What's her name?"

Moira strokes the horse's flank, calming her. "Fides. It means faith- or honesty." Moira motions me closer, and I run a gentle hand across Fides' neck. Hard muscle bunches beneath my hands, but she remains calm as Moira hands me her lead. "She's your's. Earnest but strong."

Ceth appears behind us, and Fides knickers, tugging away as he nears. I run my hands over her, just as Moira did. He scoffs. "She's been trouble since the day I bought her. Scares like a cat."

"Maybe she just doesn't like you." I whisper quiet praises in her ear as I round her back, assessing the saddle. I've ridden a horse once or twice. Years ago now. As I put a boot in her stirrup and throw a leg over her back, settling in the worn leather is easy. Fides stirs as I gather her reins and guide her into a trot over the bridge. "Better keep up!" I call after Ceth, smiling when I notice Moira is already mounting another horse with the help of one of the stablehands.

Past the bridge, snow and mud eddy together along the path. I'm glad for the thick coat to keep me warm as I pass under the canopy of trees into the blue forest. Ceth and Moira catch up in no time, and I don't miss the small army of guards that trail further behind. We keep a steady pace, and Ceth eventually guides his horse, leading the way. I do my best to ignore him, but I can feel his gaze like a thorn in my side.