We rode throughout the night, leaving the frigid dungeons of the Winter King behind. There was a brief pause as the winter prince rode to a nearby farm and "borrowed" some clothing for me. The air was still icy and I had little to keep me warm.
It was no surprise we were being hunted. Valentin wanted both Talon and me, and he wasn't giving us up that easily. The poor horses were starting to tire, but the baying of hounds and distant shouts were relentlessly driving us on. My legs were raw and numb, and staring at Poe's horse's rump was making my eyes droop. I didn't ask how she attained that cheery gelding named Pumpkin, but they were a match and he was as steady as the moon. I often felt a hand on either side steady me as I began to drift. Even though I was an experienced rider, I was be
