Magical Midlife Blush by Emerald Larissa

Author:Emerald, Larissa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Castle Oak Publishing
Published: 2023-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Take flight

The final rise into the mountains loomed just ahead. They’d actually been climbing for some time, but the incline had been so gradual it was hardly noticeable. Kalen guided his horse, slow and deliberate, trying to push aside Ash’s comments.

A muscle pulsed in his jaw.

While they were all competing for the princess, he didn’t appreciate the others’ interest in Lainie.

What’s mine is mine.

He had a similar feeling of possession when it came to the shiny trinkets he hoarded. And heaven help anyone who touched what belonged to him.

On the other side of the summit, he drew his horse up, allowing the others to catch up to him.

“What got your goat?” Ash asked.

“Huh?”

“The scowl.”

Kalen felt the creases in his forehead deepen. “I don’t share. You know that.”

“Whos’ speaking of sharing?” Ash dug out his canteen and took a lazy sip.

“Watch it, firebird,” Kalen ground out.

They’d been friends—when they weren’t arguing—for over half a century. Ash had received dominion over the eastern province shortly after Frost had been chosen. Bruno was the most recent addition to the group. Kalen had been the first appointed by the queen, and to his mind, he was perhaps her favorite. She seemed to cut him more slack than the others.

Lainie caught up first and pulled up alongside him. Ash and the others had been hanging back. From here, they looked out at the smaller mountains and gorges.

The path disappeared around the mountain. To the right, it dropped sharply, ending in the river far below. To the left rose sheer rock rising to the mountain peak above them.

“This is called Perdido Mountain. It means lost,” Kalen told her.

“It has a feeling of foreboding,” Lainie said, peering out at the black mountains of jagged peaks.

Kalen twisted in the saddle and glanced over his shoulder at Lainie. She frowned, eyeing the drop of the land to their right. Was she worried about how high up they were or going over the ledge? It bothered him that she was concerned. She should be happy, living it up at home with her children.

He slowed his horse in order to ease back to position himself between her and the outer edge. “Are you doing all right?”

“Yes. Kind of reminiscent of Esidarap.”

He grinned. “A little.” He thought about that… adventure… when they’d rescued her daughter, fought a fairy princess, and banished a witch to a prison. He admired her resilience and spunk and felt a pang of sadness when he reminded himself she couldn’t stay with him.

He watched her.

She wore the dress she’d conjured before losing the timepiece. He liked her jeans better. She had lovely hips and legs.

Her gaze met his. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

“I get that sensation often through this stretch of the trail.” He scanned the mountainside beside them. “This area is shut in. And with the bend in the road ahead, it’s the perfect place for an ambush.”

Her eyes rounded. “Ambush? Who would attack us?”

Kalen shrugged. “Bandits. Thieves.”

“Does that happen often?”

“Not to me. I think most folks know better than to attack a government official.

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