Chapter 3 - Trusting a Stranger

Nyneve could not utter any word.

It was already too late to lie that she know nothing about this man who was now dragging her somewhere. And she was never good in lying to begin with so she was left there speechless while Reis does and say what he wants.

“Wait! Where are you taking me?!”

They are already behind the tents of the market when Reis suddenly transformed into a unicorn. Nyneve tried her best not to gasp out loud.

“What are you doing?” she whispered while looking at him with her eyes wide open.

Ride me. We’ll show everyone who’s the fastest horse here.

“I told you it’s been awhile since I rode a horse before.”

Do you want that money or not?

“I wasn’t—Wait. You can speak through my mind when you’re in that form?!

Yes. So are you going to join the race or not?

Nyneve suddenly realize what she could do if in case they really win that race. With that amount of money she can start over and move to another town. It was something she never thought of until she realize that the people surrounding her is beginning to suffocate her. And after the death of her father it became worst.

“Okay. Promise me you’ll not let me fall.”

He scoffed.

Promise me not to pull my hair so much or else I’ll drag you to the dirt.

“Fair enough. But wait…” Nyneve removed her scarf and covered his forehead.

Reis forgot about his horn. He could only appear like a normal human. But once he was back to being a unicorn he would probably be captured by those greedy humans who were after their powers to heal. Oddly enough, Nyneve never asked him to use his magic.

I guess money is more important for her, he just thought dismissively.

Once they return to the parade, onlookers could not help but hush as they look at Nyneve. But Nyneve pretended to look forward and let the crowd stare at her scarred face.

It’s okay. Just breathe. The race will just be a minute or two. I hope.

“Isn’t that… Nyneve?”

“Yes. And her scar. Oh, it’s terrible. Wait. Don’t look.”

She could hear the murmurs in the crowd. But she tried to pretend deaf like the usual.

When the match is about to start, Nyneve saw the rider that Reis insulted earlier.

“You’re riding that horse with a bandana on his head? And where is his saddle? Oh, don’t tell me you can’t afford one.”

It’s true. I can’t afford one. It’s the first time I rode a horse this long. I was a kid when one of our neighbors lifted me to ride along with him. But that was eons ago and I wasn’t even trained to do this. I’d rather climb trees than—

Hush. We’re about to start, Reis commanded her.

“Right,” Nyneve said while trying to focus. She bend forward to hold on to his neck by surrounding her arms around it.

Once the flag was raised all riders runs around town.

Nyneve wanted to close her eyes. But she couldn’t. She was afraid that she might fall so she kept her balance. Her grip was tight but she was also making sure not to choke Reis. He run faster than the other horse but the rider he insulted earlier was keeping up to his pace. Once they round a corner they were left behind by the brown horse by a few feet. Two more corners and it was still the same distance.

She no longer care if they lose. Nyneve only wanted to make it safe to the finish line. But Reis run harder. It almost lose her grip on her arms.

Reis! You’re way too fast!

That’s the point.

His speed kept accelerating the moment they spotted the finish line which was where they began. The onlookers almost stumble on the ground when Reis went passed through them. His body cut the finish line before the brown horse could reach it.

Reis was declared as the winner but he could not reduce his speed that easily. He was still running when they were about to reach a dead end. They were about to hit some stalls. Reis tried to keep slowing his pace but the adrenaline rush he felt was not easy to quench.

He felt Nyneve is about to lose her grip. Reis let her fall on the sack of rice on the stall that they were about to reach. It prevented her from being injured. Reis made a turn and went to Nyneve again. He made sure to help her as she stand shakily. He let her touch the bridge of his nose as she regain her balance.

“I don’t think I’ll ride a horse ever again,” she told him. “Next time, warn me if you’ll use your magic.”

Excuse me. That’s pure skill not magic.

The crowd gathered to where they are.

“Nyneve, you won!”

“I can’t believe you can ride a horse that fast!”

They cheer as they led them to the stage. The prize will be given to them by the prince himself and they will be granted a certificate. Nyneve smoothen her hair and tried not to shrink while her face still lay bare for everyone to see. Just like any new strangers, the prince might asked about her scar so she prepared her answer.

“Where did you find this magnificent horse?” the prince asked Nyneve instead and it caught her off guard.

“I… uhm…”

Reis neighed and stepped backwards when the prince tried to pet it.

“I’m sorry. He is a bit hard to tame,” Nyneve said apologetically.

“A bit of a wild horse I see.”

Nyneve noticed how Reis angrily looks at the prince. She quickly received the reward and the certificate and led Reis to the spot where no one else can see them.

Reis quickly shifts back to his human form. Nyneve expected him to be please with himself since they won. But he still looks mad.

“Reis… are you all right?”

He was heaving. And Nyneve thought it was because of how fast he run earlier. Yet the bloody look in his eyes terrified her.

“I’m gonna kill him,” she heard him say in almost a whisper.

“Reis? What are you saying?”

“I’m going to kill him,” he repeated but this time with clear intent while she looks at her.

“W-who?”

“That bastard you all call the prince.”

“W-what? But why?”

“Why?” he asked before laughing sarcastically. “Because he killed my brother that’s why. Why do you think you found me in the lake?”

Nyneve felt something cold run her spine as she stared at Reis and an understanding dawned on her.

“Reis, were you…”

“Trying to drown myself? Yes. After my brother died I felt so lost. But now, I know what I must do.”

Nyneve did not know rage could be this terrifying. She saw how he looks past her with one clear thought in his mind.

He will definitely kill the prince.