We don't ride long but we do create some distance from where we originally began, which probably explains why it feels like I've been riding on the back of this horse for hours upon hours. I swear, I've felt every bump along the way. Being tied up on a horse is not on the top of my do-it-again list.

Thankfully, we finally take a break to rest for the night. Unfortunately for me, Xalale has no interest in untying me for the night. In fact, he goes as far as tying the end of the rope to himself so I won't be able to slip away; clever on his part but infuriating on mine.

As he and his men settle down for the night, all I can think about is unsheathing the sword by his side and cutting the rope to free myself, problem is I know he's not the heaviest sleeper to begin with and with him on alert with every movement it doesn't offer me much wiggle room for escape.

For some reason, I'm like a sleep expert whenever it comes to him and know when he's actually asleep, merely resting his eyes, or faking it completely. Right now, he just seems to be in that Twilight zone between sleep and consciousness. Though I'm mainly watching for when he falls into a steady asleep, I also have the urge to keep him up just to annoy him. I keep my mouth closed, though, and remain vigilant.

Another problem with this tied up thing is our proximity. Maybe before, I wouldn't mind being so close to him, but at this point in time being this close to him causes my homicidal tendencies increase, it also creates a bit of discomfort on my end.

"Great," I think to myself. "Here I am tied to the one person who I'd rather see jump off a bridge and my friends don't have any idea where I might have run off to."

My biggest worry, if he's taking me back to the castle, is coming face-to-face with Aelita. That woman- the more I simply hear about her or see her pulling the strings behind things- the more a dark, tight knot forms in my gut as I think about seeing her again.

If I'm being honest with myself, it surprisingly frustrates me seeing how in denial Xalale is about the true hold his mother has over him. She's literally the walking talking textbook definition of a manipulator and he's absolutely blind to it. I simply cannot wrap my mind around the fact that only, like, a week ago he was cursing her very existence and now he's like putty in her hands, completely under whatever spell she put over him (the spell of stupidity and illogic I'm sure). Perhaps I'm so invested in waking him up to her true intentions because the fate of two worlds depends on him thinking for himself- just maybe that's the reason.

Glancing over at him, I mentally release a sigh of relief to see that's he's finally in a restful sleep. I wait several more minutes just for good measure before attempting to reach over him and nab the sword close to his side.

"Almost there-"

Straining to get a light but firm hold on the hilt, I start to slide the sharp sword out of its sheath with shaky, sweaty palms that tremble as I inch the weapon out further.

Just as sword gleams in the faint moonlight, my heart jumps up in my throat when the sword is yanked from my slick grip. I wasn't careful enough.

Sighing, he tosses the weapon further away from himself out of possible reach.

"Go to sleep, Mallory," He mumbles, his back still facing me.

Not wanting to give up but knowing there's very little chance of me freeing myself tonight, I face away from him as well, putting as much distance as the rope would allow and conjuring up new ideas to try in the morning.

My body has grown accustomed to sleeping on the hard, packed ground at nights so I eventually begin to slip into a quiet slumber, wracked with the usual worry but weighed down with the stress of getting out of this situation.

As I lay there, my mind powering down, I think about my last exchange with the others before I stormed off- more specifically, I think about Sephora and Coxen.

Her words ring out in my listless thoughts like the eerie echo of a deceased choir.

"I wish I would get more in return for my loyalty than lies."

To be tied to someone whose guts you hate is one of the cruelest forms of torture derived.

The moment I wake up, I expect him to untie me from him but to my surprise- and soon-to-be displeasure- he remains secured to me even as we gather up to leave.

"Ahem," I clear my throat, getting his attention.

The blasé look he gives me only frustrates me all the more.

"I'm not five you know," I tell him in a miffed voice.

He checks Atlas' hooves. "But you're desperate."

I scoff, somewhat offended.

"Desperate how?"

Finishing his inspection, he just gives me this expectant, indifferent glance before ignoring the subject, instead allowing me to mount first.

If he thinks I'm just going to go along with his program without any resistance, he's in for a rude awakening. Defiance sparking in my eyes, I return his look with a hard one of my own.

"I'm not going tied up to you."

His reaction to everything today must be a mixture of bored and tired because he doesn't get riled up about my resistance. Instead, he simply mounts himself, not going to untie the rope from around his wrist.

"Are you going to untie me?" I question, my eyebrows arched in expectancy.

Sighing, he looks down at me. "No, I'm going to let you have your way."

My way would have been for him to untie me altogether but he must not care enough to truly understand that. I'm about ready to protest when he urges Atlas on, only then causing my slow brain to catch up with the cause-and-effect about to happen.

Something about being dragged along by horse seems oddly familiar, except I'm not stumbling along as badly like I was the first time. He's not going at a fast rate but I have to keep up to stay by his side. The two men accompany him are getting a kick out of this but suppress their amusement in the presence of him.

I am the furthest from amused.

"Xalale!" My voice is tight with lividness. "The hell are you doing? Stop the horse."

There are so many names in the book that burn on the tip of my tongue right now but I know that blowing up at him won't do me any good.

Glancing down at me, not stopping the horse, it's now his turn to give me a defiant look.

"Why should I? You made your choice."

Not wanting to give in just yet, I look away from him. If he wants to play hardball then so could I.

"You're right, I did," I reply without any trace of investment.

He says no more, and I feel his gaze lift off of me. So we continue on at a moderate rate that I'm able to keep up with. Though my feet are killing me, I don't say a word to him about it, I simply keep my sights on the path before me so I won't stumble or fall. As we travel, ideas are brewing in my head, bubbling over as I glance inconspicuously around at the surroundings I could use to get out of this mess. There's one idea spiraling around in my head but I would need to plan it out in full if I expect it to work.

Right now, with the two other men flanking either side of us, it wouldn't work, but if I could break away from them then things might play out better. Satisfied I have a feasible plan, I put it into motion.

"Can we stop for a sec?" I ask Xalale, looking up at him.

"Why?"

"I have to do," I lower my voice just a tad. "Private, female business."

This time, he looks at me askance, not stopping for a moment until finally slowing down to a halt- the other men followed suit. Dismounting, but not saying a word, he continues to stare at me cynically.

"Um," I point to his wrist. "If you could."

"If I could what?" That flame of defiance continues to burn in his eyes.

Speechless for a second, I give him a dubious expression.

"Wha?" Blinking to collect myself, I address him in disbelief. "You are not."

He doesn't seem fazed by my reaction. Instead, he merely begins leading me away from the horses and men into a more secluded area with some foliage. From what he's indicating with his actions, he expects me to do my business tied to him.

He has most definitely dropped his mind.

"I'm not doing my business in front of you."

He sighs. "I won't be looking at you."

"Still," I grit my teeth in slight embarrassment now. "I'm not a guy, you know. It's...different for a girl, we need more privacy and...space."

That suspicion is still alive and well in him.

"As I've aforementioned, you're desperate."

"But can't a desperate girl get some privacy?"

He continues to give me an insouciant look before turning his back to me.

"Either go or don't."

Growling in frustration, I go behind the foliage and try to get as good as coverage as I can. Even though I was using this as a ruse, I really do have to go. It sucks that I won't have anything to dry myself with so I let myself air dry for a second. As I wait and begin searching the forest floor for the key to my next step, I freeze when I hear something then quickly look away once I realize what it is. Apparently, Xalale thinks it must be a good time to relieve himself as well. Thankfully, he has his back to me but my wandering eyes were about to get me in trouble.

Going back to my search, I come up empty for anything to cut the rope with so I begin trying to wiggle my hands out of their constraints but the rope proves too secure. There's only one other option I have at this point and it's my only opportunity.

"I'm almost done," I call.

I let a several seconds tick by, creeping a little farther from him just so I can see what lies beyond the foliage before surprising him.

I only have one shot at taking him by surprise so I put my entire strength into pulling him back. With him not expecting it, he stumbles and loses his footing easily. Not wasting time, I pounce, going for his sword.

My fingers have just brushed the hilt of the sword before he goes for the weapon with striking precision. I'm not losing today, though, tied or untied.

With my hands not of much use, I rely heavily on my other appendages like my feet. Just as he tries to get up, I kick him in the shin catching him completely off guard and sending him to his knees.

My blow to his shin wasn't meaningful so he recovers without much lag, trying again to stand but I'm already getting to my feet as well. Noting this, he goes to sheathe the sword to keep it away from me, but, like a dumbass, I go to stop him from sliding it in resulting in a sharp, bright burning sensation on my palm.

Hissing, I immediately pull back my hand. A thin, oozing line visualizes on my palm- it's not deep from the look of it but it stings like a wasp's bite.

Like the flip of a switch, he stops midway in trying to keep the sword from me and concern is the emotion plain to see on his face.

"Why would you do that?" He scolds me with concern still etched in his facial details. "Let me see."

Though any other time I would have enjoyed a little bit of concern over my wellbeing (and honestly I still do- regardless of who it is), I know any opportunity he gives me to gain the upper hand is an opportunity I should take.

At first, I start to extend my hand out to him like I really mean to show him, but quicker than he can comprehend I've yanked him to the ground and go to steal the sword back. But just as I have the sword in my grip, he knocks me to the ground. Before he can jump at getting the fallen weapon, I scramble in the leaves to reach for it but he pulls me to my feet with him, restraining me.

Apparently, he's not as concerned with the sword as he is trying to stop me from fighting back.

He has to violently shake me before I rile down enough to glare at him in the eyes.

"Are you mad?" He says, giving me a harsh staring, looking a little disheveled from our skirmish (if he's looking like that, I must look like a lunatic).

"Let me go!"

He holds on firmer but not hurting me, snapping me in place again to get my attention.

"Calm down."

Both our breathing is ragged and my hair, which was once in a nice braid, has started to come loose as flyaway strands stick to my face. Though I give him withering looks, I begin to cool down, realizing how crazy I must seem at this moment, especially when he seems so collected in all of this.

Once my breathing starts to return to normal, his grip begins to loosen as well.

"Are you calm?"

Clearing my throat, I nod a little, staring at the ground instead of him.

"Let me see your ha-"

Confused about his sudden pause, I look up only to see the blade of a sword pressed against his neck. Taken aback, my eyes travel up the length of the sword to the source of the silent ambush. My heart does a leap of joy at the sight of Coxen looming over us, his face tight with concentration.

"Let her go," His words are nothing short of a terse, unwavering command.

Even with the surprise element, Xalale doesn't flinch, he doesn't even falter. Instead, he keeps his attention straightforward, not even minding the sword at his neck. The concern that once filled his eyes is now replaced with his usual detached expression, but I can see his jaw working.

"I said, let her go."

Coxen is not like me, he isn't bluffing in his threats.

After a lingering second, he complies but in the most defiant manner possible as though he still has the upper hand in this situation.

Even more on guard, Coxen grits his teeth as he continues to press the sword against Xalale's neck. I'm not liking how at ease Xalale appears in this situation- like he has something up his sleeve.

Scramble to his side, I ask. "Where are the others?"

Keeping his eyes trained on his target, Coxen replies. "They're near the horses, go find them."

Frowning, I exchange a troubled glance between them. Both prepared to spring into action at any given moment. Though my brain is telling me to find the others, an overwhelming majority of me can only take a hesitant step back before being rooted there.

Those shears would have no problem cutting the tension here.

"Get up and face me like a man," Coxen challenges.

For a minute, Xalale doesn't stir. The only indicator to his festering choler is his clenched jaw; overall he appears rather calm, unfazed by Coxen's provoking words.

"Mallory," Coxen momentarily steals a warning glance my way. "Go find the others."

I realize he's probably concerned about protecting me, but he should know- him of all people- that Xalale is not a force to be reckoned with solo.

Though I take another tentative step backward, my eyes never leave the scene before me.

Xalale finally stands to his feet but doesn't turn around. Coxen, not amused, presses the blade deeper, making me wince slightly.

"I knew you were not a man," Coxen seethes in a low voice. "You can't even look me in the eyes."

Following Xalale's line of sight, I can see he wants to go for his fallen sword but it's too risky a move at this point. Now, we're in a standoff and my heart thunders in my chest, waiting for the inevitable.

"Coxen," I begin softly. "Come on, forget about him."

At this, he lets out a sigh of what sounds to be frustration.

"Mallory, please just go find Elle and-"

"Only if you come with me," I plead. "He's not worth it, Coxen."

At this, he says no more until he speaks up again with blatant exasperation evident.

"Why are you working against everyone?"

Growing defensive, I cut back. "I'm not. I just know which battles to fight."

He grits his teeth again, his blazing eyes fixated on Xalale who still refuses to face him.

"Coxen," I sigh in matching exasperation.

"Mallory, this is the last-"

Then he strikes.

Xalale is nothing less than strategical. He doesn't hold back. Coxen- nor I- are expecting it. He swings his leg around to the back of Coxen's feet, causing the boy to fall backward while Xalale goes for his own sword. It was practically in the blink of an eye. One second there's a sword to his neck, the next he's looming over the startled boy with his own lethally impressive weapon pointed at his neck.

"Xalale-" I try to begin but he cuts me off.

He's laser-focused on Coxen, his eyes catching the sparks that Coxen's words wrought.

"You dare call me less of a man and yet you come from behind and disarm me like a coward?"

Though Coxen has paled a little in light of all this, Xalale's rebuke sends the color to his face again. At this point, I know the kerosene has spread and it's only a matter of time before a match is struck.

Interjecting myself into their standoff, I try to play peacekeeper.

"Xalale, don't. What is any of this going to prove?"

"Prove he's just a murdering tyrant," Coxen practically spits in response.

For some reason today, Coxen is successfully pushing every last button for Xalale and I'm afraid that the outcome will be uncontrollable.

I know the only way any physical altercations might be avoided is to step in between the two. Placing a firm hand over Xalale's to prevent him from doing anything stupid with that sword, he shifts his attention momentarily over to me. Even if it's the briefest glance, I know I have to seize the moment.

"Let it go, Xalale. Don't waste your energy on trivial things."

His eyes shift back down to Coxen who demonstrates a hard glare of his own.

For a minute, I can't breathe, I can't think, I can't do a thing other than hold my breath and pray he does the right thing.

For once, I send a pleading signal with my eyes that only he'll understand.

The minute he fully lowers his sword is the minute air returns to my lungs and I can actually breathe again.

I let out a grateful sigh of relief that's short-lived. Springing to his feet, Coxen reclaims his sword and wildly goes to swing at Xalale.

Though my body is momentarily stunned by the suddenness of it, Xalale has reflexes cats wish for and moves back from the slice of the blade, the quicksilver flashing like lightning in the sun.

"Coxen, stop!" I cry, going- like a moron- to stand in his way of Xalale.

I step in front of him just as he goes for another loose cannon swing, the momentum too much in action to stop.

I only have enough time to snap my eyes shut before bracing for the hit. But I never feel the cold metal against my skin. Instead, I'm yanked back with a tremendous amount of force to the ground before hearing the ringing of metal upon metal.

My eyes fly open to observe the sight.

Coxen, wide-eyed and shaken, has been disarmed again, his sword laying off to the side. Xalale, who both pulled me back behind him and deflected the potentially crippling blow, stands poised with storm clouds gathering in his eyes.

The realization that he could have almost injured me, or worse, has rendered Coxen dumb with numbness, his brain trying to process it all. Xalale, though he has the opportunity to attack, simply grips my wrist with his free hand while still staring the shaken boy down. I'm rather dizzy myself from such a near-death experience, so I'm delayed in fighting against Xalale as he starts to pull me away, hurrying me along.

I'm still staring at Coxen, whose mind is slow to register my absence, but am brought back to reality once we near the horses where the others stand around, somehow doing away with the two men that were standing by before. They perk up immediately upon spotting the two of us approaching; their alarm spread at the sight of Xalale dragging me along in tow.

I'm completely brought back to my wits once I'm practically dragged onto the back of the horse. There's hardly any time to get situated or protest before we're off.

"Mallory!"

My attention is immediately focused at Elle and Sephora who stand there helplessly, the look of surprise written on their faces. Clifford's there as well, but he's following after Olivos who appears to be going to check up on Coxen.

It takes another precious second before my body kicks into action.

"Xalale, stop this horse right now," I order him with as much authority as I can muster.

Of course, he pays me very little mind and more distance is put between me and the others. For him, I have to use drastic measures.

"Xalale," My voice gaining vehemence. "Stop the horse or else I'm jumping."

He shoots me a warning glare, but I'm honestly ready to tuck and roll (this'll go down as another rash decision that'll hurt in the morning). Though jumping off a fast moving, high horse is not the wisest strategy, it's the one I'm prepared to go with, but before I can slide off I feel a strong arm wrap around my waist preventing me from getting off.

"Let me go," I writhe in his grip but he's like a boa, only getting tighter the more I struggle against him.

I continue to fight, though, trying to break free.

"You need to calm down," He snaps at me, not loosening up.

"Don't tell me to calm down!" I holler in his ear. "Just let me go!"

The only thing my struggle is resulting in is wearing me out, allowing him to maintain the advantage. But just as I'm losing steam, I spot something coming behind us. At first, I'm not quite sure what to make of it but as it begins to come closer I'm startled at what I see.

On horseback, coming up fast from behind us, Elle is in pursuit. Out of all the others, Elle- timid, bunny-like Elle- is the last person I would expect to see coming to my aid. She's petrified of Xalale yet she's putting aside her fears to help me.

"Damn me for being this year's worst friend."

I don't say anything to alert Xalale about her presence, but I don't even need to with his keen sixth sense. Glancing behind us, he doesn't seem overly concerned with her, but as she begins to close the gap he begins to pull out his sword.

I'm usually delayed in stopping him from harming Coxen since Coxen fights back with an equal amount of venom, but I refuse to give him one chance at potentially hurting Elle.

"Xalale, put it away."

Though he doesn't pull it out all the way, the ready position he holds it in makes me nervous for her.

Taking matters into my own hand, I use my free arm to try and push the sword back into its sheath. When he notices me, he keeps it just out of my reach. Biting back a slew of profanities, I keep trying for Elle's sake, who is just about on our tails.

Her golden hair shimmers like a bellowing, full flag majestically flapping in the breeze behind her. Just within reach, she holds out her hand for me, wanting me to make the risky transfer from Atlas over to her horse. It's just like in the movies, except no safety backup plan for if I fail.

I forget about the sword and instead reach for her outstretched hand. My fingers merely graze hers before Xalale has taken notice and presses me closer to him, spurring Atlas on faster. Atlas is a damn fast horse but Elle has determination in her eyes today and she urges her steed on.

Suddenly, up ahead, I can spot a narrow path with what appears to be a sharp precipice. The wall of earthen dirt looms to one side of us while the hazardous cliff is on our right. To make matters worse, I can tell the path is comprised of loose gravel and jagged rocks- not the best for a horse race.

Before we can go on the path, Elle tries to make another effort for me to climb on her horse. I don't think she nor Xalale notice the danger ahead, which is why I try my hardest this time to successfully transfer over to her.

This time she grabs hold of my forearm and I'm about to pull free but, again, Xalale breaks our contact by pressing on ahead slightly. Now, he tries again to fully unsheathe his weapon, making him completely unaware of the steep danger ahead.

Panicked, I go for Atlas' reins, but Xalale, thinking I'm trying to do something else, begins to pry off my hands as I fight against him.

"Xalale!"

Like that, he immediately becomes aware of his surroundings again, noticing the jagged cliff up ahead. The path makes a sharp left turn that doesn't seem passable going full speed on a horse, so Xalale quickly pulls back on the reins causing us to come to a sudden halt.

My heart's about in my throat at this point, but I can release a sigh of relief that we didn't go tumbling off the cliff.

Relief, though, is short-lived.

Behind us, Elle must have just jumped to the same delayed conclusion Xalale did, but unfortunately for her, she ultimately pulls back on the reins too late and too hard. The horse, startled by the cliff, lifts up on its hind legs.

It all happens so fast. The horse stands up, Elle loses her grip, she falls, her face frozen in suspended horror, then- then I watch her drop, falling beyond my sight.