Rowena Through the Wall: Expanded Edition by Melodie Campbell Page B

enormous." I could hear the reluctant awe in his voice.
    He guided us up a massive wooden staircase and along a dark stone corridor with slits for windows. These would be for defense, I realized. Our rooms were next to each other. Mine and Ivan's first, Richard's next and then Grandfather's. Jon was further down the hall.
    Our room had a window to an inner courtyard, but best of all it had a real bed like the one at Huel. Beside it was a tray of cheese and bread. I leapt upon it, ravenous.
    As I stuffed my face, Ivan said, "I have to leave you now. There's a meeting. You should be safe until I return." He seemed reluctant to leave, as if he didn't quite believe his own words, but eventually he left.
    Soon after, young Logan arrived at the door. He handed me my satchel. I thanked him and he blushed.
    After he had gone, I took off my riding dress and snuggled into the bed. A steady breeze blew in through the courtyard window. Exhausted by the arduous trek across the island, I soon was whisked off to sleep.

Chapter 13
     
    It was late the next morning when I wandered into the stables, looking for Lightning. She was relieved to see me and nuzzled up to my side. I stroked her, reading her. Apparently, some stallion was giving her trouble. I sought to ease her mind, but she rubbed against me skittishly.
    Then I saw the problem male.
    Sargon, mounted on a beautiful black stallion, approached from the far door. It was the first time I had seen him since we arrived at Sargonia.
    "Ah, Rowena. You are a lover of horses?"
    "Yes, Sire." I nodded my head in a short bow. "In my own land, I am an animal healer."
    His eyes widened and he flashed a smile. "Is there no end to your mysteries, woman?"
    Lightning pranced nervously, so I hushed her.
    "Your filly is a beautiful animal," Sargon said. "She looks fast."
    "She's small but swift. Arabian blood, I suspect. We have mustangs like this that have returned to the wild in Arizona."
    His eyes bore a hole in me. "Does she come from the Huel stables?"
    I hesitated. "Norland stock."
    What would he make of that?
    "Come ride with me," he said. "I've a mind to show you something."
    My breath caught. It was another challenge, a delicious one. Excitement soared within me. I'd play with fate today and meet her head on.
    "Lead the way," I said.
    He backed the stallion away to give me room. I reached for Lightning's leather saddle, tightened it and fastened the bridle.
    All the while, Sargon's eyes never left me.
    I led Lightning from the stable, hiked up my white muslin skirt and mounted her in one graceful sweep. Sargon watched me adjust the fabric to cover my knees. It was brazenly immodest to ride like this, but I wasn't going back for my riding apron.
    Sargon was off on a canter out the far gate. He glanced over his shoulder, judging my speed. Then he kicked the stallion. I put my heel to Lightning and she rose to the challenge. Together, we raced across the fields.
    Lightning lived up to her name, dear girl, and I laughed with joy as we rode the wind. I felt like a kid again, riding through the wilds of the Arizona desert…back when mom was alive, the world was sweet and I had no worries.
    When Sargon pulled up, his smile was as wide as mine.
    We stopped at a high plateau. Sargon leapt from the stallion's back and rushed to help me down. I brushed him away, sliding to the ground on my own. The horses panted as hard as we did.
    Sargon strode to the edge of the cliff top.
    "This land is mine," he said. "From the borders of Huel to this great cliff. Come closer, see the view from here. Land's End goes to the sea. To the edge of the world."
    The cliff gave way to a rocky shore with boulders as big as boats. The surf pounded below us. Beyond, the ocean was a dark raging blue. White terns soared and swooped in the sky above the water, not venturing as far as land.
    "'Beyond this point, there be monsters,'" I quoted.
    We stood side by side with the wind raging and the sound of the waves crashing below us.