The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2)(56)

"Yes and no, my lady," answered the duke. "They are native, certainly. We have patches of them all through these northern hills. But my grandfather had these purposefully planted ages ago to hide our little family secret."

"So it was your grandfather who built the passage?"

"To be sure."

"Was there a specific reason or was he simply a cautious man?"

"My grandfather?" The duke laughed. "He was a vicious, cruel man. Not unlike my uncle, I regret. There was a human uprising during his time. They stormed the castle. After the rebellion, he had this passage built, so there was always an escape route should he need it."

Sienna glanced at the duke whose gaze was dead ahead, his expression distant. "And what happened to the rebellion? Were the humans able to get their demands met?"

"Oh no." His voice lost some of the lightness that seemed to thread his every sentence. "He slaughtered them all."

Nikolai pressed a hand to the small of her back, bringing her within the crook of his arm. "I'm not sure if horses are needed," he said. "I'd rather be on foot."

"What?" Puzzled, her mind reeling from the fact the duke's grandfather had been a monster of a man, she glanced up at Nikolai in surprise at his odd comment. "What horses?"

They rounded another evergreen into a clearing just as a horse whickered where Grant stood holding the bridle. Of course Nikolai could hear and smell them long before she could.

"I think you need them. These are two of my fastest racers."

Sienna stepped up to the one where Grant held the bridle, a beautiful pale blond from mane to tail, the tufts of hair above their hooves and their height giving their breed away. She noted the full black, his coat glistening blue under the moonlight tethered to a nearby tree. "These are Arkadians, aren't they?"

"They certainly are," said the duke, his words inflected with pride. He moved to the head of the blond where Sienna stroked her silky muzzle. "This is Astrophel, my shining star. Aren't you, my beautiful girl?" He stroked her neck and she nuzzled his chest in return.

"Oh my. Your Grace, we cannot take these horses." She let Astrophel snuff her hand as she brushed another under her downy soft mane, falling in love by the second. "They are too precious." 

He laughed, his breath coming out in a white huff. "Nikolai wants to refuse because he trusts his own feet more than my fastest Arkadians. And you want to refuse because they are too fine and valuable. Heed me well, the both of you. You need them. First, understand that you will both tire too soon crossing the north on foot to Dale's Peak. And Nikolai, you know as well as I that you can't move at the speed you normally would when you brought Sienna here. Her equilibrium cannot handle it. You'd need a day to recover if you returned the same way you came here. My horses will get you to Dale's Peak within two days. They are strong and fast. And do not worry, my lady, about the expense. These beauties are on loan only. Whenever you've arrived to Hiddleston safely, send word and Grant will come and fetch them."

Sienna beamed up at Nikolai. "That settles it then. I'll ride Astrophel."

Nikolai's scowl fell. He shook his head with a chuckle. "Seems I've been overruled."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll get used to that with this one," said the duke on a wink.

Sienna didn't mind his innuendo, because the only woman who could persuade Nikolai of anything would be the woman who held his heart. She hoped that the duke was right as Grant helped her into the saddle. She hid her wince, sitting down gently after the day's events.

"And this is Ramiel, my thunder god." The duke unhitched the bridle and walked the giant black over to Nikolai.

Nikolai stared straight into the beast's eyes, its giant head a foot higher than his own. The two seemed to be communicating telepathically. Ramiel neighed and tossed his great head, his mane flying up. Nikolai didn't budge. After another tense moment, Ramiel lowered his head almost in a reverent bow. Nikolai scratched his muzzle and whispered something low in his ears. The black whickered softly as if he understood. Then Nikolai launched himself into the saddle.

Nikolai nudged Ramiel forward and reached down, holding out a hand to Friedrich. "Thank you, brother. For all you've done." There was deep sincerity underlying his words.

Friedrich gripped his forearm in a hand-clasp Sienna had seen other soldiers do. "You are more than welcome. I imagine we'll be needing each other quite often in the coming days."

Nikolai sat straight in the saddle. "All you need do is ask. I'm in your debt."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Sienna echoed the sentiment.