Chapter 43

“No,” I replied.

“Then let’s go.”

He whistled and from out of nowhere a horse materialised. It looked a little gaunt, a little tired, but it was nevertheless a horse. The beast looked at me, snorted and lowered its head to the grass, though I noticed it didn’t appear to be hungry either.

“How…?” I was gobsmacked. I couldn’t finish my question.

“Duchess was here all the time, weren’t you, girl?” He patted the horse’s neck and she responded with a flick of her head.

I felt rooted to the spot. Part of me wanted to reach out and touch her just to see if I wasn’t going completely mad, but I was too afraid. When I did move, it was to take a step back. And another.

“Where are you going?” Reginald asked.

“I-I-I…” I had never stuttered before in my life. “…have to go. Over…” I pointed over my shoulder. “…this way.”

I turned and walked as fast as I could away from Reginald and Duchess.

“Wait for us!”

My eyes bulged when I heard the sound of heavy hooves approaching me from behind.