"It's a hold, and it belongs to the Red Knight," the Shadow Knight replies.
"What's the difference?"
"A castle is much grander," Wolfie supplies. He appears to disapprove of the surroundings, if the narrowing of his canine eyes and the lift of his lips to reveal long fangs is any indication.
"It's beautiful," I say.
"Mine is larger," the Shadow Knight grumbles.
"Men are the same in every world," I stifle a giggle. "Besides you all sleep on the ground. This seems like a palace after that," I add. "So why meet at the Red Knight's, if he goes around defiling everyone's witch?"
"He normally refrains from taking sides with any of us. He is usually an honest mediator," the Shadow Knight replied.
By the note in the Shadow Knight's voice, he's already ruled the Red Knight out as an ally anymore. He pulls the horse to a halt, and we wait. Moments later, a familiar form in a long, red cloak appears from behind a thick wooden door.
The Shadow Knight growls at the sight of the blond knight, a purely animal sound.
"You'll take care to inquire quickly," he says to Wolfie.
"Aye." Wolfie dismounts and leads his horse away.
"Maybe it's not what you think," I say quietly, watching the Red Knight approach us with a confident smile on his face, as if he's going to play this off like nothing happened.
"You are quick to defend the betrayer." The Shadow Knight isn't happy.
"You are just as quick to assume the worst about a man who is going to be your brother by marriage soon."
"I preferred you when you were laughing madly."
"Maybe if you didn't randomly declare war on everyone, you'd find some people aren't that bad!"
"'Tis not random, witch. Were you a normal woman . . ."
"You'd sell me. I know." What an asshole.
Pissed at me, the Shadow Knight dismounts and takes the reins as he moves to meet the Red Knight. The horse starts prancing nervously and I hang onto the saddle.
The exchange between him and the Red Knight is curt and brief. The Red Knight wisely doesn't look at me, as if suspecting he's already in trouble with the Shadow Knight who has no qualms about lopping off body parts to prove a point.
The Shadow Knight drops the reins and starts back towards me. Before he can drag me off the horse, I slide off on my own and groan.
My god - my legs have never hurt like this. I don't think I can walk straight and am grateful for the dress that prevents people from seeing the fact I can't hold my thighs together. They're quivering and burning, my ass hurting from the uncomfortable travel.