The Wild Boy & How He Tamed a Flying Horse & Won the Heart of a Girl Who Saves the World
On cue, the attendants bring into the garden a giant wooden horse.
“This is an automaton,” Lord Altan says. “The controls are here.”
Lord Altan pats the top of the horse’s neck.
“See this peg? If you touch it, the horse will come to life. Touch it again, the horse will gallop forward. Move the peg to the right and the horse will climb into the sky. Move the peg to the left and the horse will descend. The horse will take you anywhere that you wish to go. Anywhere.”
“The horse flies?” I ask.
“So swiftly, it can travel all the way around the earth in one day. You will need aid to mount the horse, I see.”
Lord Altan lifts his hand and attendants rush towards the horse with a tall stepladder. Before I know what’s happening, the attendants have pushed me up the ladder and onto the horse. I’m not even in the saddle and the horse is dancing, its legs wildly in the air.
“Lord Altan!” I scream. I’ve never been on a horse before. What did he say about the peg? Frantic, I pull at it in every direction hoping to make the horse stop. But instead of stopping, the horse gallops forward. I grab its furious mane — it’s too late — I’m flying off — suddenly someone jumps on the horse and lands behind me. He takes the reins and holds me tight.
“Where are you going without me?” his voice whispers in my ear, laughing.
Deacon!
The horse gallops into the air. Within a few seconds, we’re high up in the sky, racing through wispy clouds.
“Where are we going?” I ask Deacon.
“Does it matter?” he asks.
“No,” I say. It really doesn’t.
Just a few moments ago, I was terrified, but now, with Deacon holding me, the flying horse seems like the most magical, most wonderful thing in the world.
I must have fallen asleep in Deacon’s arms. When I wake up, we’re riding slowly through a meadow.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“You’re awake,” Deacon says.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Ages and ages,” he says, laughing. “I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up.”
“I’ m sorry . You must be tired. ” He’ s been holding me the entire time.
“I never get tired.”
“Where are we?”
“Not far from home.”
“Do we have to go back?”
“No. We can stay here for a while if you want.”
“How did you get the horse so calmed down?” I ask, marveling. It was like a demon horse and now it’s so gentle. “We’re old friends,” Deacon says. “His name is Solstice. I used to sneak him out for rides. I found him one day, when I was exploring the palace looking for something fun to do. He was in a room, all alone. I don’t think anyone had touched him in a very long time. He looked like he wanted a good ride, so I got on. You should have seen him buck! I thought I was going to break my neck. But eventually, he got to know me. He knew I wasn’t going to steal him. So he let me ride him. I think Father found out about my rides because one day, I went to look for Solstice and he was gone.”
“Did you know? That I was about to ride the horse?” “Yes. I was with Mother. She summoned me. She said Father was giving you Solstice and she was afraid he was too powerful for you. I got to you just in time.”
“Your mother spoke to me.”
“She’s lovely, isn’t she?”
“I can see why your father loves her so much. Deacon — is Lady Kaila your real mother? She isn’t your stepmother or maybe you were adopted?”
“Of course she’s my real mother. Why?”
“I was just thinking — you don’t look at all like your mother.” I thought about the little boy in my dream.
“She’s the only mother I’ve ever known,” Deacon says. “Stop asking such stupid questions.”
He’s becoming distressed again. The horse is unhappy too, his muscles tense, ready to gallop.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “She’s wonderful, your mother. I wish she could have been my mother.”
Deacon and his horse are calm now.
“Solstice brought Mother into the Djinn world. Because of that, he has a very special place in Father’s heart. Father must like you very much to give Solstice to you.”
“Maybe,” I say, hiding my true feelings. “Where have you been, Deacon? You’ve been away for such a very long time. I’ve been so lonely without you.”
“Have I been away? I’m with you now. I’m always with you.”
I don’t understand what’s wrong with him. There’s something wrong with Lady Kaila and something wrong with Deacon and I begin to wonder if they don’t have the same illness.
Eventually we ride back into the palace grounds. Youri and Channa are waiting for us. There’s such a look of relief in Youri’s eyes. He tries to help me off the horse but Deacon angrily brushes him away. Instead, it’s Deacon who helps me, first jumping down and then reaching up for me and bringing me gently back to the ground.
Before I can even take a step, I wobble. I feel like I’m still on the horse, still flying through the air.
“Come on,” Deacon says, laughing. He lifts me into his arms and carries me to my rooms. It’s romantic, but it’s also an act of possession and I wonder if Deacon would have been so gallant if Youri hadn’t been there. If Youri hadn’t tried to help me dismount.
Excerpt from Romance of the 3 Djinn. Buy at Amazon, B&N, iBookStore, Kobo, etc.
