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before she knew it she was sitting in front of her tent next to a raging bonfire. She glanced at her two younger brothers who were about to drift off to sleep. She was surprised they were so tired. It wasn't that she wasn't tired also, but she'd figured that being cooped up they'd create all sorts of trouble whenever they made camp. Which they did as they "helped" the guards set up camp, but by the time the meal was served they seemed to be falling asleep on their feet. Cassia wished she could sleep so easily. Her dreams haunted her. When she woke in the morning she couldn't remember them, but they bothered her.
    Witen signaled two of the senior guards and Cassia smiled slightly as they scooped her brothers up and followed Witen to her tent. She waited outside as they took her charges in and nodded in thanks as they headed back to the fire. Witen looked past them to Cassia with an expression of concern on her face. When she saw Cassia watching, she quickly smiled and saluted. Cassia bowed her head in response before looking to her mother. Sarahann had moved off to talk to the Captain of the Guard about the rest of the journey and the plans for when they got to Castle Vespera.
    Cassia stared at the towering trees. She knew theoretically the Vesperans mined, which meant mountains, but she'd never been on a mountain before and had never seen trees as tall and massive as this one or the other hundreds that surrounded them.
    "Your Highness?" Maconhay stood a respectful distance behind her.
    "Yes, Captain?"
    "You requested an escort to check on the horses?"
    Cassia smiled in relief. She'd been sure she wouldn't be allowed to spend any real time with the horses. The royal guards had gotten progressively more nervous the farther they had gotten into Vesperan territory.
    The horses were strung just outside of the circle of wagons, tents, and guards. She wasn't nervous about being with the horses, but the guards and her mother were.
    "Thank you." Cassia followed him outside the firelight to where the herd milled. She'd been surprised at the number of horses with them at first: the royal guard's horses, the carriage horses, and the small herd of fifteen horses which were her wedding gift to Torr.
    What had shocked her even more was when she'd spotted Luki keeping the herd together behind the Royal Caravan. They'd spoken briefly the day before they'd set out and he hadn't mentioned he would be a part of the royal party. He'd been polite but distant last night when she'd checked on the herd.
    Maconhay stopped just outside the rope strung as a makeshift corral and held it for Cassia to slip under. She immediately felt more at ease. She would always prefer the company of horses to people. Cassia buried her face in the first horse she found and breathed in deep. Only one more day and they'd be there. She would marry Torr within three days of arriving. Life as she knew it was over. She was still trying to come to terms with that fact.
    "Princess," Luki said.
    Cassia glanced up from the horse and stepped back, trying to get back some royal decorum. "Are they journeying well?"
    "Yes, Your Highness." He looked out over the sleeping horses. "Kali's on the other end of the herd."
    She glanced back at Maconahay. He nodded, signaling he'd heard Luki. She hesitated, regretting the distance she'd put between Luki and herself after telling him of her impending marriage. Not sure what to say to make it up to him, she waded through the herd to where she found the petite dark mare.
    Their connection grew stronger with each passing day. Kali nickered and turned so they were facing. A wave of warmth flowed from the mare to her. She gratefully stepped up and wrapped her arms around the mare's neck. They stood still for several minutes and for once Cassia was able to just be, without any thoughts.
    Kali raised her head as Luki stepped up. She snuffed his hand in approval.
    "Captain Maconahay says you need to return to camp," he said.
    Not wanting to leave the