TWENTY-ONE
Silence accompanied us the entire way back to town. Together we rode into the stable, and once inside, Zinnia all but leapt out of her saddle, leaving Luca scrambling for the reins before the mischievous nag realized he was free. She ran from the stable, but I didn't call after her. There was very little I could offer her at that moment. I was barely holding myself together.
"I'll take him," Tyrus said, snapping me out of my misery. He held his hand out, waiting for my reins. Numbly, I handed them over, and his hand squeezed mine. "She'll come to her senses, Consari. I'm sure of it."
I tried to smile, to look appreciative of his kindness. "Tell Lysander we've returned?"
He gave me a curt nod, then led my gelding away. Heavily, as if I wore lead-lined boots, my steps carried
