The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

as it had been a week ago, and that was something to hold
onto.
So, I did.
Casteel made sure I didn’t run out into the late-morning
sun when we stepped out onto the small alcove of a porch
and saw Kieran waiting between a massive black horse—
Setti—and a brown one. Setti neighed softly, shaking his
glossy, black mane. Casteel slowed my steps, gradually
letting me walk into the sun.
Other than enjoying the feel of it against my face,
nothing happened.
I petted Setti for a moment, scratching him behind his
ear as I scoured the trees around the cabin. Every so often, I
saw a flash of silver or white or black among the lowhanging,
gnarled branches. Brown, curled leaves and
brighter, greener ones blanketed the woods surrounding the
cabin. It was as if an extreme cold snap had come through,
shocking the foliage. But we were in the Skotos foothills,
and I could see the mist-drenched mountains looming above
the trees. Wouldn’t the plant life here be used to the chilly
air?
Gripping the saddle as Casteel finished strapping down
the saddlebags, I lifted myself onto Setti. Once I’d situated
myself, I looked over to find not only Kieran and Casteel
staring at me but also a dark-skinned Atlantian. Naill had
come around the side of the hunting cabin. The three of
them stared as if I had done a backflip onto the horse.
“What?” I asked, touching the mess that was my hair.
There had been no comb inside, and I was sure I looked as if
I’d been caught in a wind tunnel.