Battle Strong by Elizabeth McCready (the ebook reader txt) 📖

her." Quinn laughed to Peitre who was still trying to catch his breath. The others couldn't help but laugh as well.

 Apollo was next. He confidently strode out, it took him no time to choose.  He didn't hesitate a moment, the second he moved was the moment he chose. He chose Stievan. Next was Achilles, he watched all of us, as if he were still considering choosing someone the others had already chosen. He moved forward, one slow step after another right toward Noeh and Finnegan. But he stopped, turned, and galloped to Ander halting on the snap of finger and lowered his head. Achilles chose Ander.

Last was the beautiful jet black horse who'd been in Beth's stall. The horse walked directly to Beth, but instead of bowing her head as the others did. She bowed onto a knee, Beth had never seen such a thing. The horse looked Beth in the eye, Beth reached out and ran a hand down the horse’s long, dark face.

*~*

The Six and their horses stood from the ground, and with this day of freedom they decided to let loose and go for a ride with their new steeds. Ander and Beth were the only two that knew how to tack horses. So they were the ones who taught the other four. It was awkward really, the tension between Noeh and Beth when she was trying to teach him how to tie and tighten the cinch on the saddle. Quinn watched as she awkwardly squirmed away when he got to close, everyone knew what had happened between Noeh and Ander, but the fact that Beth was acting so off was strange to him. He couldn't help but think there was more to the situation than they let on. But one thing was for sure, Noeh was in love with her, you could just see it written across his face, in his eyes. He wanted her.

When all six horses were tacked with the gear they had found in the stables, they set off into the woods. Ander and Beth of course were at the head of the group, closely followed by Pietre and Noeh, and holding up the rear were Stievan and Quinn. They were spread enough to have separate conversations that could not be heard by the others.

"What do you think is going on with Beth and Ander?" Quinn asked Stievan.

"Meaning?" 

"You know, like are they a thing?" 

"I overheard Pietre and Noeh, sure seems like it from their point of view. I mean, Noeh is pretty worked up about it. In his own, kind of way."

"Okay, what's Noeh doing?"

"Dude, he's got a thing for Beth. Beth hates him, and Noeh thinks that is because of Ander. But if you ask me, she's got it out for him on her own accord. He hadn’t been doing much, just being awkward as hell. Then there was the whole thing where she got kidnapped while they were partnered."

"So you think, there's another reason she's pissed at him?"

"I'm definitely not saying there isn't. I don't know, but it sure seems like she has her own reasons. If you ask me, that girl has secrets."

"Do you trust her?"

"Of course, I'm just saying there is something she's not telling us."

"We all have secrets."

"Yes, that's true, but I think her secret is more than just any old secret." 

"How so?" 

"I think her secret could cost her."

"Could you be any more dramatic? You're worse than my sisters." Quinn scoffed at Stievan.

"I'm just saying," He paused loosening his reins and looking ahead to Ander and Beth. "Something isn't right. I just don’t know what."

*~*

Beth had never looked so full of light, Noeh had seen her happy, just never to that extent. Such pure and thorough joy flowed through her fingers and the ends of her bright hair. She shined with the joy she had been missing for so long, but he knew that the joy wasn't only from the majestic beast. He watched the way she looked at Ander, the way she melted when he got close. She loved him, she would be a fool to deny it.  Noeh was convinced that he deserved her love more than Ander did. Ander left her when she was vulnerable and in pain, Noeh was there to comfort her and make her feel whole again. He deserved to be loved by her, not Ander. Who does he think he is? Breaking a girl's heart just to reclaim her only to one day break it again. He thought. How selfish can he be? He can't possibly care for her. If he did he would leave her for good and never show his face in front of her again. Can't he see how she is around him? Can't he see how badly it is hurting her?

The Six continued on for hours, learning about their horses and bonding with them. After a few miles, they stopped at a creek so that the horses could drink. In those moments, Noeh slipped off into the woods with his horse. He leaned on the horse's neck and whispered.

"I don't know your name, but I promise I will figure it out if you get me the hell away from them without making me eat the dirt." The horse stood unresponsive. "Hello. Horse."

Noeh kicked his legs and shouted for Finnegan to listen, who in response tossed Noeh off of his back and snorted. Noeh angrily wiped the dirt from his body and was standing from the ground when the rest of the Six had gathered around him.

"What are you doing down there?" Quinn asked with a grin.

"Not funny, you ass. Help me get back on this thing."

"Don't." Beth said. "Call him a thing, fine. You learn on your own. Let's go." She raised her eyebrows and turned Calypso back towards base, followed by the rest of the Six.

"Guys seriously?" Noeh shouted watching everyone as they left, and looking to Stievan who stayed behind a moment longer than the rest.

"Sorry dude, we don't want to get on her bad side." He shrugged as he clucked and Apollo picked up his speed to rejoin the rest of the group.

Noeh scoffed and walked to Finnegan who backed away from him. Noeh stood frustrated and watched the horse flick his ears at Noeh.

"Is this funny for you? Because it's not for me." Finnegan nickered and stomped his feet, prancing around.

Noeh jumped towards the horse who stepped to the side whinnying, Noeh slowly became less frustrated and more entertained at the game the two were playing.

"Fine, I'll just go back by myself." He turned around and smirked, the horse snorted and pounded a hoof into the ground in response.

"Bye now." Noeh taunted and started to walk away, soon nudged on the shoulder by the creature.

"That's what I thought." He face the horse, grabbing onto his reins and smiling, "Don't be a jerk this time, got it?"

Finnegan snorted. Noeh laughed and tried to mount onto the horse, only to fall back to the ground. He attempted several times, each time failing. He looked around the forest to find anything to help, conveniently, he found a stump. He stood on the stump and struggled to get Finnegan to stand still long enough to mount him. Finally, Noeh hoisted himself onto the saddle falling to the opposite side. He sat up on the ground, once again frustrated. Finnegan reached his muzzle down to him, nudging him softly. Noeh tried once again and succeeded at last. He clicked his heels against the horse's side and struggle to hold on as the horse trotted through the forest, bouncing him all around in the saddle. Soon they happened upon a clearing, Finnegan noticeably increased the speed and length of his gait. Noeh, knowing the horse was going to soon send him soaring into the air, held on for dear life. Finnegan took that as a sign to race, and that he did. The horse galloped through the open field, stretching his legs and neighing with joy. Noeh, on the other hand, was pale and frightened beyond his wits that he would soon meet the ground in harsh impact. He figured he would need more practice before he tried to ride into war.

Somehow, this huge terrifying beast between his legs made him feel more confident. The more he rode on, the more unstoppable he felt. He was still terrified nonetheless. Soon, he and his steed reached the place where they would finally get rest. Noeh searched the camp for the others, he decided that they were probably in the commons. He was slightly agitated that the others hadn't waited for him. He took his time untacking Finnegan, though he wasn't sure why. He felt oddly compelled to be around the animal, maybe it gave him entitlement. Then again, he wasn't the only one with a horse.

"We were wondering when you would finally decide to come back." He heard Pietre say.

"Not like I had anyone to help me find the way."

"Can you blame us?"

For a moment, Noeh thought he was kidding. "Yes. I most definitely can."

"Aw," Pietre made a mocking face, "Did someone get their feelings hurt?"

Noeh threw a boot at Pietre. "Do you want something or are you just here to be a prick?"

"Ouch, that stung. I'm just trying to put some things together."

"What kind of things?" Noeh said pushing past Pietre to stow his tack away.

"The kind of things that make you act like a dickhead."

"Why does that matter to you?"

"Because I don't want you to risk the lives of your team for some worthless feelings."

"Worthless?"

 "You know she doesn't feel the same way you do, right?"

 "You know that you're making no sense, right?"

 "You can't even deny it, Noeh, you're a fool to try."

"Drop it. We are not discussing this. You bring it up again and you're finished."

"This is exactly what I'm talking about."

"I said drop it." Noeh yelled and stormed off. 

Chapter Seven

Dear Diary,

  Me again, well you'd never believe the things I've seen. The things I've been through since my last entry. I'm starting to see how cruel and ruthless the world really is. Growing up, my mother always told me that the world was a scary place, I guess I never ventured a thought to her words. Oh my mother, she doesn't even know what I've done. She has no idea that her little darling is now a murderer, though she could probably have guessed it by now. What have I gotten myself into? First, I volunteer my life to this place, and now not only am I a cold-blooded killer, but now Ander?

Oh right, Diary, Ander is here. He's here. Like in the cabin less than 100 yards away from mine. The last time I saw him was two years ago. Crazy. Crazy. Crazy. I still love him, you know. I can't stop staring at him sometimes, like some creepy little stalker freak. And like an even more obsessive creepy stalker freak, I blurted my story to Noeh. I mean, he's my best friend here, and if I trust anyone it would be him. But I doubt Ander's walking around telling people how he feels. If he even feels anything.

I'm changing the subject, I can hardly handle myself right now, not to mention what I'm putting you through. Want to know something