Steel Maiden (12 page)

M
Y PULSE RACED.
Why would Mad Jack
join the race?
I felt foolish. Of course he would enter. He was
a street thug. If there was a prize to win, he’d want dibs on it.
That’s all he was. A thug. Just a really, really good looking
one.

A loud neighing caught my attention, and I
whirled around.

The guard that had escorted me through the
city held the reins of a giant black warhorse and led him up behind
me. The majestic creature towered above all the other horses. Its
gleaming black body shone in the sunlight, and it wore a black
saddle blanket embroidered with temple sun symbols. With breechings
on its haunches, a chest piece, and rein covers, the horse was
equipped for battle. The guard brought the horse next to me, and I
jumped back.

The horse raised its head at the sudden
movement. It stared at me with round brown eyes, and I wondered who
was more frightened, the horse or me. Probably a little of
both.

“What’s the matter, Miss. Don’t you ride?”
the guard looked puzzled.

I tore my eyes from the horse and shook my
head.

“Of course I
don’t
ride. You need
coin to keep horses, and I’d barely had enough coin to eat. So no,
I don’t ride. Never have, actually.”

My heart dropped. Most of the horses in the
Pit were the large strapping work kind, with legs and hooves as big
as my head. Horses were too expensive for Rose and me.

My competition all sat skillfully on their
mounts. They all looked as if they had had years of experience. My
heart sank even lower. I don’t know why I was so shocked. It wasn’t
like we’d
walk
to Goth. It would probably take two months.
Of course we’d be riding horses. I just wished I had practiced a
little beforehand. Clearly this was a disadvantage. Already I had
one strike against me, and we hadn’t even started…

The guard threw me the reins. “See if I
care, witch.”

He turned and left.

I stood staring at the giant beast.

I felt eyes on me again and scanned the
crowd.

The high priest from Anglia was staring at
me, and I could see that he was angry. Obviously he’d seen what had
transpired between the guard and me. Anyone standing nearby would
have recognized the fear in my eyes, too. I knew he had anticipated
that I would know how to ride. It was stupid on his part. He should
have known I couldn’t keep a horse. Even from a distance, I could
see the high priest’s face turn from red to an ugly shade of
purple.
Blood of Arcania
. I was not getting off to a good
start.

“Excuse me.”

I jumped at the sound of a voice behind me.
I turned to see the handsome young man I spotted before.

“You look like you might need a little help
with the horse.”

He moved towards the black beast and took
the reins in his hands. I noticed that he casually glanced over my
shoulder to the podium. He looked troubled for an instant, but then
his concern was gone by the time his eyes met mine again. He smiled
at me again, and it sparked something hot in my chest.

He looked about my age, maybe a few years
older, with a goatee. He held himself gracefully, like the noble
man he probably was, and wore the red and gold colors of Anglia
proudly. He patted the horse’s neck gently.

“He’s a magnificent animal. Strong, but
calm, with an even temperament and quiet nature. Perfect for
someone who’s never ridden. He’ll take good care of you.”

“Is it that obvious I’ve never ridden?” I
said.

It was hard not to stare at the skin that
peered through the neck of his tunic.

He laughed softly, and my heart did a
somersault. “It is.”

I could listen to that laugh all day.

“So you know about horses?” I mumbled
stupidly.

My stomach was full of butterflies, and I
felt like an adolescent girl.
What was wrong with me?

“I do,” he said, and I wished he’d stop
smiling like that. “You could say I’m a seasoned rider. I’ve been
riding since I was five.”

I sighed. “Of course you have.”

I stared at the soft curls that brushed
against his jaw. He hadn’t shaved for a few days, and that was just
fine with me.

“I’m probably the only one here who’s never
actually been on a horse.” The words came out more desperately than
I had wanted. I didn’t want him to think I was scared, even though
I was terrified.

He gave me a lazy smile, and his eyes met
mine. “Well, you’re going to have to learn quick,” he said and
steadied the horse.

“Can you climb onto this fellow’s back on
your own?”

I don’t know why, but I looked over to the
podium. The high priest was watching me with a frown, clearly
aggravated that I hadn’t climbed up on the giant beast yet. We were
the only two not saddled up.

I might be poor, but I had my pride. I was
going to do this. I had to do it.

“Of course I can.”

I moved beside the great beast. I’d seen
riders mount their horses before. I knew I had to put my left foot
in first. I grabbed hold of the saddle, stuck my left foot in the
stirrup, hauled myself up, and swung my right leg over the beast’s
back.

I felt a mixture of fear and excitement as I
sat on my new companion. I smiled as I felt the enormous beast stir
beneath me. It was gentle, even though I could tell that it sensed
my fear. The smell of horse filled my nose, and I reached out and
patted the great creature on the neck. I think I was soothing
myself as much as the horse.

“You steer the horse with the reins.” The
handsome stranger handed me the reins.

“Hold them just above the pommel of the
saddle. Keep your hands steady at all times, too much movement, and
you’ll jab your horse in the mouth with the bit. Urge the horse
forward by gently squeezing your calves into the horse’s sides. His
name is Torak.”

He gently stroked the horse’s neck. “He’ll
take good care of you.”

I raised my brows. “You know this
horse?”

He nodded and continued to stroke the
horse’s neck. “I do. He used to belong to my family.”

Something sad appeared in his eyes. “We sold
him to the temple, along with many other great black beauties.”

I wanted to ask him why his family had sold
their horses. Clearly he cared about them, but it wasn’t my place
to ask. And it felt too personal.

He moved towards the back of the horse.
“You’ve got provisions here.”

He motioned to the large leather saddlebag
and peered inside.

I opened my mouth to stop him, but thought
better of it. I didn’t think he was trying to sabotage me; it was
more like he
wanted
to help me. But I just couldn’t
understand why. It wasn’t because he thought I had a pretty face,
or was a damsel in distress…it was something else.

“There’s not much in here,” he continued and
closed the flap. “But it’ll keep you for at least two weeks. Then
you’ll need to find food on your own.”

He watched me, and when I said nothing he
added, “Do you know where you’re going at least?”

I nodded. “I’m heading west to Goth. The
stone is somewhere in that realm. I’m guessing that’s not a
secret.”

I didn’t add that the high priest had told
me about the stone being inside the Hollowmere. I had a feeling
that information was only for my ears. I felt guilty about not
saying anything since he had helped me, but I couldn’t risk it.

The stranger nodded.

“There’s a map tucked in the side pocket and
a compass. But for now, follow the main road till you get to the
end of Anglia that borders the West Sea. That’ll take you about two
days. Keep to the road till you hit the long narrow passage called
Death’s Arm. Goth is a three day ride from there.”

“Thank you,” I nodded.

Our eyes met, and I blushed from my neck to
the top of my head. “Why are you helping me?”

He looked at the priests behind me.

“Don’t thank me just yet. You might regret
it when you see what we’ll be facing.”

He was quiet for long enough that I thought
he wouldn’t add anything else. But then he added, “You looked like
you needed it more than the others. I just didn’t feel right having
you go off on this race without a little assistance. It wouldn’t be
fair. I don’t want to offend you…but you’re the least experienced
here.”

We stared at each other in an awkward
silence. I opened my mouth but closed it again. He started to turn
away.

“I’m Elena,” I blurted as I held out my
hand. “Elena Milegard.”

It was the least I could do, but I also
wanted to know his name.

He took my hand and smiled. His perfect
teeth and perfect smile made me weak. His callused hand, strong and
sturdy, was gentle. He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it.
His lips were smooth, his breath hot, and it tickled my skin. I
almost fell out of the saddle. Thank the Creator I was sitting.

“It’s nice to meet you, Elena. Landon
Battenberg, at your service.”

His blue eyes pierced mine, and I could see
by his smug smile that he knew the effect he had on women, on me.
The name Battenberg seemed familiar to me, but I couldn’t think
past the way his lips had brushed my hand. I wondered how soft they
would feel against my own lips.

“Well, thank you again, Landon.”

I straightened, and it took all of my
self-control not to show how much I’d enjoyed his gentle kiss.

“Good luck, Elena.” Landon’s face turned
serious. “You’re going to need it.”

He walked away. His broad shoulders swayed
back and forth, and I could still feel the warmth on my skin where
he had kissed it.

I bit my lip and said softly, “I’m sure I
will.”

Despite myself, I smiled as I watched him
mount his own warhorse. It was a great bronze-colored steed,
powerful yet graceful, just like Landon. I couldn’t tear my eyes
from him. But I couldn’t let his good looks and his five minutes of
kindness distract me. This was a race after all. And I was in it to
win it.

As Landon turned my way, I pretended to look
elsewhere. That’s when I met Mad Jack’s glare.

I was shocked to see fierce anger in his
eyes. It was like a silent accusation. And although I wasn’t sure
what was going on, I couldn’t help but feel the guilt that spread
through me. But why? What hold did he have on me?

Shrugging, I opened my mouth and mouthed
what?
But he just steered his horse to the opposite side of
the line from the Pit folk, like he was trying to put as much
distance as he could between us.

I hadn’t realized that I’d been holding my
breath. I was stunned and a little hurt by his gesture. He didn’t
own me. I could speak to whomever I chose.

Suddenly, bells chimed.

The crowd hushed and an uncomfortable
silence spread across the grounds. As the crowd drew in a
collective breath, I suddenly felt nauseated. I tried not to think
about Mad Jack and why he made me feel so miserable inside. I
focused on the race. If I wanted to win this thing, I’d have to
keep my feelings in check. I sat still on my mount, my eyes on the
platform, and I waited like everyone else.

I wasn’t surprised when I saw the high
priest of Anglia stand up. He raised his arms and with a superior
smile on his face, he began to speak.

“Welcome to the anniversary of the Day of
Reckoning,” his voice boomed.

“After the world had been devastated by war,
the Temple of the Sun united the six kingdoms under one rule, and
we have lived in peace for over three hundred years. We celebrate
this day by inviting all the kingdoms to participate in the Great
Race for the glory of the Heart of Arcania.”

I glanced over at my competitors, to remind
me again what I was up against. The fact that there were a handful
of women cheered me somewhat, but they looked as fierce as the men.
Some of them actually
looked
like men.

“The rules are simple,” said the high
priest.

His smiled widened. “There are no
rules.”

Laughter erupted from the crowds and the
guards, but the competitors sat straight-faced, as I did. I studied
the other high priests. They watched their leader with stony
faces.

“The Creator be with you all,” said the high
priest. “May the best man or
woman
win.”

His eyes rested on me, and I stifled an icy
shiver. But before I had time to gather my thoughts, he walked
casually to the giant bronze gong and hit it with a great swing of
his jeweled staff.

Immediately, the sounds of hooves tore the
ground like a great thunderstorm. The ground shook as the riders
and their mounts galloped through the west gates.

All except for me.

Rattled, and with my face burning in
humiliation, I took control of Torak’s reins and hit his sides with
my legs. I could see the disappointment in the high priest’s face
without looking.

Torak galloped forward with a great bound,
and I lost control of the reins. I pulled myself straight with the
pommel, and as I fumbled with the reins Torak dashed towards the
west gate.

As we thundered out the west gate, I caught
a glimpse of Brother Edgar standing next to the wall. He was
smiling. A chill rippled down my back. I guess he assumed that this
race would be my death sentence.

I swallowed hard as I was thrown around on
the horse’s back. I cursed into the wind and felt like a fool.

The Great Race had begun, and I was
last.

CHAPTER 12