“Asher…”
Her voice was soft yet fragile, barely more than a whisper as it fell into his ears.
Asher doubted his eyes and ears. Was this truly the same woman who could cut down dozens of men twice her size? The one who led one of the most imposing troops in the county.
“…Asher, when have you ever seen me outrightly ride a horse?” Sapphira asked softly as she seemed to have regained her composure and tone.
But before she could steady herself completely, a snort from Bezerk destroyed all that she accumulated composure, and she instinctively took a step back.
Asher gasped.
Was Sapphira… afraid of horses?!
He blinked twice, wanting to confirm as this was one of the basic and most common practices of everyone in Tenaria, unless they were too poor to afford a horse.
Or…
His eyes settled on her wings. ‘She probably never needed a horse since she could fly anywhere she wanted and look even more eye-catching than any rider.’
Even after coming to this conclusion, Asher tilted his head, his nose wrinkling as he dived into the depths of his thoughts.
Was it that she never had the curiosity to ride a horse?!
But then, why had she once asked him for a silver-scaled horse?
“Why did you ask for the silver-scaled horses then?”
Sapphira flipped her hair, gently tilting her head to one side, lips pressed together.
“I was going to learn,” she said, “but you wouldn’t even part with a single one of your precious catches.”
Asher let out a forced chuckle to brush off the accusation.
“Come. Bezerk doesn’t bite.”
Sapphira raised an eyebrow. She could see Bezerk’s knife-like teeth in full display, just hidden behind the metallic muzzle strapped over its mouth.
It was well known that the count had thousands of carnivorous horses, and amongst them, Bezerk was king.
It was said it only ate less than Sirius!
“He fed before I rode him here.”
Sapphira hesitated but then slowly floated toward Asher.
Seeing this, Joseph—the same man who had barred Asher from the temple—instinctively stepped forward.
“My Lady, allow your servants to escort you!”
“One more word from a mere soldier like you,” Nero cut in coldly, stepping between them, “and I shall strike. Mind you, I shall not strike twice.”
His gaze was cold, and his words as sharp as the cold touch of a knife’s blade.
Asher dismounted and, without hesitation, took Sapphira by the waist and lifted her onto Bezerk’s back. She let out a soft gasp, her fingers twitching as Bezerk’s name brushed over them.
The soft touch eased her nerves slightly, but she found solace when she felt Asher’s chest behind her.
As he reached for the reins, his arms pressing onto both of her sides, he could hear her hitched breath.
“We’ll be back in a day.”
Then, the earth beneath them trembled as Bezerk shot off, racing through the plains before they vanished from sight.
Mia turned to Nero, whose sharp, authoritative gaze swept across the remaining soldiers.
‘Isn’t he just twelve!’
_____
Lost in the comfort of each other’s company, neither of them noticed the passage of time or how far Bezerk had run—until they found themselves navigating through the unfamiliar woods!
Only then did they realize that they were outside the boundaries of scouted areas.
Just then, Bezerk burst out of the forest, and before they could react, all three of them found themselves inside water.
Asher was the first to rise up, followed by Sapphira and finally, Bezerk, the horse that had lost itself to sheer speed.
Staring at the shocked Asher, Sapphira burst into laughter. “I have never seen you with that expression before.”
With a scoff, Asher splashed water at her before turning to face the vast river that stretched endlessly to the horizon!
“Is this the Azure River? The one that runs around the entire continent?”
“It can’t be. The Azure River is supposed to be at the extreme eastern edge of the Ash Mountains.”
The moment Sapphira said that, both of them turned to their left—only to find that they couldn’t see the great mountain range.
It had stopped miles away!
“Just how far did Bezerk run?” Sapphira muttered in disbelief, staring at the energetic horse that had already climbed out of the water.
Asher’s gaze flickered to Bezerk, checking if the box was still securely strapped to it. When he confirmed it was safe, he let out a relieved sigh.
Sapphira narrowed her eyes at him.
“You knew about Bezerk’s speed?”
Seeing she wasn’t onto him, Asher quickly went on with her to make sure she didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.
“I knew he was exceptionally fast, but he has never run this fast.”
His gaze then returned to the river. “Sapphira, if this is truly the Azure River, it opens a new opportunity for the county. We would be able to connect the lands beyond the mountain range to the high plains. This forgotten route is heaven-sent.”
“This river is a double-edged sword, Asher,” she cautioned. “It may bring us opportunities for trade, but it also provides a path for our enemies. If the Everads find out about us, they’ll surely attack.”
Asher’s eyes narrowed.
“Then I won’t build a city at the harbour. I will build a fortified town first. And the city will be there…”
Asher pointed at the horizon.
“On the water?” Sapphira raised her eyebrows.
Asher smiled. “Yes.”
He could already envision the unique designs they had for lords that would fulfil certain requirements and own legendary grade cities.
These included flying islands, and some even had ships as large as estates. These were ships that spanned kilometres in length and breadth and could traverse the sea!
Just imagine a behemoth of a ship carrying tens of thousands of men, moving on the sea!
He would become the overlord of the sea!
Splash!
Sapphira suddenly emerged before him, splashing a wave of water on his face.
“Can you build such a thing? Is it even possible?”
Sapphira asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice as the river seemed to have snatched Asher’s attention than it did.
Asher opened his lips to reply, but the words caught in his throat.
His well-developed curves were dangerously highlighted by her soaked clothes clinging to her skin, but the allure of her rosy face was even more devastating.
And worse, she was so close.
His Adam’s apple bobbled, and without knowing how or when, Asher inched closer.
Sapphira instinctively leaned back, her body slowly sinking into the water, but before her face could disappear beneath the crystal blue water…
Asher’s lips brushed against hers.
“!!”
Sapphira felt a shiver run through her body in a split second, leaving her breathless.
It left her wanting more, but Asher didn’t go beyond a peck.
It wasn’t because he wanted to stop but because he was forced to.
Something or someone in the forest was watching them.
And… it had far too many legs than it should be possible for a human being!