Enchantment of the Bow

Chapter Sixty-Two

Lyra's POV

The sound of hooves harder than the precious stones that adorn my father's crown click against rock, the sound causing me a sort of comfort in resonance with the subtle sway of Lasreal's stride. My eyes have adjusted enough in the darkness to see by the moonlight, illuminating the dark stone with its pale glow.

Lasreal's slender ears prick intently towards the ocean, and I feel him take deep, puffing breaths of the salty air against my calves. He is glad to be here, out of his confining stall and within sight of the rolling tide. It is dangerous to be here, with him, on this night, but it is exactly where I felt called to go. I know with certainty that he will not betray me this night.

"Are you certain that you can control him this close?" Kaladin calls, voice just loud enough to be heard over the distant crashing of the waves. The water is far, but close enough to smell and near enough to hear. I expected the dark steed he rides to be breathless with having kept up with Lasreal's fleet-footed stride, but his stamina has surprised me. Kaladin knows a good mount when he sees one, it would seem.

Lasreal is too taken by the view and by the lull of the sea to pay mind to the tall horse beside him, entranced by the siren's call of the moving tide, tossing magic into the air with each salted spray. "He will not be swayed." I answer, gazing towards the mist in the night. "My love for him runs deeper than the sweet song of his mother."

Kaladin tried to talk me out of coming here, but he knew that he had no chance of winning the argument. The ocean is over half of the night's ride from the castle, and it was risky to attempt such a trek with my wedding taking place in the morning. Kaladin is the only Guard I ordered to stay with me tonight, and soon upon his arrival, he found out why. Once I was certain that the others were sleeping, I slipped off my night clothes to reveal my riding clothing, and pulled on my boots. I knew that sleep would not come to me tonight, and the place that I wanted most to be was on the back of my Vann-Hest with the scent of the sea within my grasp.

Once the night Guards saw me with accompaniment, they allowed us to pass by without a word. This was likely because they serve my mother, who would not have ordered them to keep an eye on me like my father had. He, of course, would be worried that I would make a break for it, but my mother has some faith in me. Of course, she will panic once word of my absent presence reaches her ears, but I intend to return before her faith in me runs dry. I may go without sleep this night, but I have yet to feel regret. I may walk down the isle looking like a haggard grandmother in white, but I do not have much care of my appearance, anyway.

I instructed Kaladin to be with me now, because I know that Lance or Hana would try everything to keep me in the castle, afraid that I may try to make a dash for freedom again beneath the pressure of tomorrow's events. And I made sure to keep this evening's adventure from Sam, because I am already so worried about marrying him. I do not rue my decision to be wed to him, but the thought of being bound to someone eternally made me anxious.

Even in the darkness, I can feel Kaladin's gaze on me, wondering what I am thinking, why I had called him out here. He hasn't said anything to me since we had gathered our mounts, merely keeping his distance from Lasreal and keeping a watchful eye on me.

"So, now will you talk to me?" He asks after allowing a few moments for silence. I can feel his eyes on me, but I do not turn my head, keeping watch on Lasreal's movements. Surprisingly, he feels calm, more serene than savage. Unlike most of his kin, being by the water's edge does not always drive him to madness, as our bond has become enough to keep him sane. He may even be more mentally stable than me, at the moment.

"I'm sorry to have dragged you out here at this hour," I apologize, not sounding the least bit sincere. "But I had a question that needed answering."

Kaladin waits a moment for me to continue, but when I take too long, he sighs. "Get on with it, then."