Free My Lady Mage: A Warriors of the Mist Novel by Alexis Morgan

it most strange to move at the whim of horses.”
    A feminine voice responded. “Ah, but these are not your usual horses, Sir Murdoch.”
    All five men drew their weapons but sheathed them again when Lady Merewen stepped out of a stand of trees, leading the same horse she’d ridden the previous day. When her eyes first sought out Gideon, he nodded by way of greeting as he studied her face for any sign that her uncle had further abused her. But no, she looked rested and far less haunted than she had when he’d last seen her.
    Good. The man could live for another day.
    Her gaze had moved on as she offered each man a smile, but it faded as soon as she spotted Kane. Her eyes widened in obvious shock, although Gideon could detect no fear in her expression. As usual, Kane’s first reactions were suspicion and anger.
    “Is something wrong?” the testy warrior demanded as he dismounted.
    Gideon started forward, not about to let his friend take his usual bad temper out on Merewen. He’d intervene if necessary, but it would be better for everyone involved if she learned to deal with all five of the warriors on her own.
    For now, her expression had slowly brightened again, and she actually smiled directly at Kane. “Not at all, my lord. I apologize for staring, but seeing you on Rogue caught me by surprise.”
    “And why is that? Am I not good enough for one of your horses?” Kane sounded defensive, but he’d had good reason to question people’s motives in the past.
    Merewen dropped her mare’s reins and headed directly toward Kane. “Forgive me, but I truly meant no insult to you. It is just that to my knowledge, Rogue here has never before had a rider on his back, not even me. I had no idea that he would accept a bridle, much less a saddle and rider.”
    She walked right up to the gray and patted him on his scarred shoulder. The horse sidled away from her, but she only laughed. “Go on and pretend you don’t like me, you big baby, but I know better.”
    Then she pulled out a small apple from the pouch at her side and held it out to the huge horse. Rather than chase after him, she waited patiently. After only a brief hesitation, the horse stepped closer and delicately accepted the apple from the palm of her hand.
    Then she took out several more and offered them to Kane. “He has a strong fondness for these.”
    The warrior accepted the gift and immediately offered the horse another. “Rogue seems a fitting name for him. Is there a story behind it?”
    Although Kane rarely talked to anyone outside their close-knit group, Gideon liked that he made the effort with Merewen. He also admired her courage as she stood next to the warrior without any sign of fear or hesitation. Both of them focused their attention on the horse.
    “My father had a true talent for seeing the potential in a horse. He said Rogue shared not just the color of the rock that forms the backbone of the mountains, but alsoits strength. While Rogue might never appeal to those who look only for surface beauty, he would be an excellent mount for the right person, one who appreciates heart and strength more than looks.”
    She shot a quick glance at Kane before continuing. “When Rogue here was but a two-year-old, he’d already grown to his full height but had yet to fill out to match his bones. Winter that year was a bad one, and the snows lasted well into the spring after the mares had already foaled. A hungry mountain cat ventured down to our winter pastures looking for an easy kill.”
    She traced the deep scars on Rogue’s side. “I was there when the cat went after the new foals. The mares were screaming in fear and doing their best to save their young. The cat got past their guard and was closing in on a foal that had barely found its legs when Rogue jumped the fence and charged to drive the beast back. Before the guards could draw their bows, the cat attacked Rogue and buried its claws deep in his shoulder, shredding these muscles.”
    Her voice