CHAPTER 22
“SHH, MAJESTY. IT’S okay.”
The horse spooked at a rabbit as I peered into the undergrowth beside the path. Light was fading, and the woods were gloomy as hell. Should I get a torch out? No, I’d ruin my vision. We’d been in the woods for ten minutes when I heard crying and knew we were in the right place. Up ahead, Tia hobbled along the path, tears streaming down both cheeks.
Was she okay? Not quite—she was dragging her left foot and holding her right arm crossed over her chest. Thank goodness I’d brought the first aid kit.
“Tia?”
She looked up, her face a juxtaposition of relief and peevishness. Should she be grateful someone had come to help or pissed off because it was me?
Eventually, she settled for whining.
“Why did you take so long? I’ve been out here for ages, and I
