Chapter Fifteen
The minute they crossed into Bela, the band around Etta’s heart began to loosen. She hunched forward in her saddle in relief.
“Etta, are you okay?” Maiya asked, riding up beside her.
“We’re getting close. I can feel it.”
Edmund appeared on her other side. “We’re about two day’s ride to the palace.”
“Let’s hope La Dame is really there.” Maiya kicked her horse into a gallop and the others followed.
They passed into a sweeping ravine with the greenest forests Etta had ever seen. Bela had lain dormant for so long without people ravaging the land and it thrived as a result. Tall trees stretched as far as they could see in every direction. The paths cut into the forests were long overgrown and hidden.
They slowed to a walk and Etta ducked her head to avoid a branch. She le
