Manon's Child

Part 46

We leave around midday, after the small delay of me killing Liron. The two witches fly ahead of us, Dorian's human guard on horseback behind us. He tried to get me to ride a horse as well, but I laughed that idea off, and with Liron's blood still fresh on me, he didn't push.

Instead, I pulled him onto Abraxos with me. We fly in between the two parties.  It only takes a few minutes before Dorian mentions Liron. "Manon...," he says cautiously. "About that witch..."

"What?" I snap.

"Well... why did you kill her?"

I never told him about the fight. "That dumbass witch was threatening my rule. She tried to kill me, so I killed her. Just like I promised I would when she fought me the other day. I have it under control."

"You fought  her?!" Dorian exclaims. 

"Yes." 

"Manon! In your condition, you could've -"

"I have it under control," I say turning around to glare at him. "Just because I'm pregnant doesn't automatically mean I can't fight or kill or do anything fun. I was perfectly safe."

Dorian hums a little in disagreement, but doesn't say anything more. We ride the next few hours in silence, though we're both tense. I watch the clouds pass above us, glad that the storm has passed.

Eventually, Dorian says, "I know this is a bit silly but... can I ride Abraxos? Like, take the reins but we're not on a horse."

I turn around, amused, and laugh incredulously. "Sure," I say. "But if you crash us, I'll kill you."

"Don't worry," he says, laughing, "I won't."

I stand up and step over Dorian, balancing on Abraxos's back. It's not like I'll fall. Dorian shuffles forward, and I sit behind him. Even though I don't need to, I put my arms around him. He seems surprised.

For a few minutes we fly straight, my head leaning on his back, until I say, "Now turn."

"Turn?" He glances at me over his shoulder.

"Go on, you coward," I say. "Rifthold isn't straight ahead, is it?"

"I guess not," he says, laughing nervously, then slowly starts trying to turn us. His effort is laughable.

"It's not that hard," I say, amused, and put my hands over his to show him how to do it. He stills, and suddenly I'm worried. "What?" I demand. "What is it?"

"No, nothing," he says, and lets me guide his hands through turning. When I'm sure he can actually do it, I lie back across Abraxos's back, not bothering to hold on to anything. It's quite nice, not having to do all the work. I think Dorian's enjoying being in charge, too. I wonder if he's any good at being King.