“Where are we going?” Zarina asked.

“Only a little farther.”

He turned on a narrow dirt path and led her past the city’s southern stables, barely more than five stalls beneath a tarp shading a few tired camels. Eventually, they reached a stretch of scraggly grass that separated Naruk from the desert.

“Joaidane?” Her hesitant gray eyes turned to him. “If you’re planning to abduct me, I thought you should know I don’t have a dowry to pay the ransom.”

If only the curse wouldn’t arise with the morning, then he might have given her concerns ample consideration. She wanted to leave. He wanted her. With nothing holding her back but family obligation, it would have been doing her a favor. “Abduction wasn’t on my mind, though the idea is tempting. Even without a dowry. Then you’d have to stay in my possession forever.” He grinned wide.

“Then what are we doing out here? There’s nothing but sand.”

“I thought you might enjoy a ride.”

“But we have no horse.”

“Are you so sure of that?” He put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. In that whistle, he channeled the gift of his magic, his link to the desert sand, and the ounce of magic lingering at the core of his soul.

The wind stirred in response, and then a stallion raced toward them across the sand, black as midnight with a mane paler than liquid moonbeams. Zarina gasped. Stepping forward with one hand outstretched, she hesitated and shuffled back again with indecision on her face.

“Go on. He’ll allow you to touch him.”

Her eyes remained large, body stiff and frozen in place. “I don’t want to frighten him,” she whispered.

Appearing to sense her distress, the stallion tossed back his head and pranced closer. He pushed his dark nose into Zarina’s hand.

“Mithran fears nothing, my lady. See how fond of you he’s already grown?”

She laughed as the flirtatious beast’s dark whiskers tickled her throat. He sniffed her, then coerced Zarina to resume petting him by shoving his face into her hands. “He’s… he’s a dunestrider. I didn’t believe anyone but the sultan had a horse like this!”

It seemed like years ago when the beautiful creature appeared by Joaidane’s side and carried him away from the blistering sun. Then, he’d wondered if Mithran had been sent as a final gift from the mother he’d shamed because his friend rarely left him for long, sometimes being the only thing worth living for.

“Not even the sultan owns one so fine,” Joaidane said. “Mithran belongs to no one. Not me or anyone else. He’s as wild and free as a desert storm, but sometimes when he’s willing on such an eve as tonight, he becomes my travel companion. Have you ever ridden bareback before?”

She shook her head. “No. We have an older packhorse with arthritis in his knees.”

“Then this will be new for us both. I’ve never ridden with someone before.”

He picked her up by the waist and lifted her with ease onto the stallion’s back. Zarina startled and grasped his silver mane, but Mithran remained placid beneath her. Once Joaidane mounted, he slipped his arms around her waist. Her scent enveloped him, every strand of her ebony hair infused with the heady spices of her family’s shop.

“Where shall we ride?” he asked.

“Anywhere,” she whispered, excitement in her soft voice.

“As you wish.”

Mithran carried them away from the city at an easy pace, his gait smooth as silk no matter the speed he galloped. Dunestriders were horse spirits of the desert wind, as magical as ifrit and even fae. He could cross a hundred mile stretch of desert in a day in pursuit of an oasis kissed by sweet, green flora, but the Ivory Sea spanned for over two thousand miles of pristine, white sand. Men sometimes perished while crossing the treacherous desert, and whole caravans vanished if they embarked on their journey unprepared for the inhospitable weather.

The farther away from the city they roamed, the faster Mithran went, as if even he were glad to be away from civilization.

“Faster!” Zarina called.

Obeying her, the stallion flew across the desert. Zarina’s hair streamed in the wind and her laughter, sweeter than any music, filled the night. They rode beneath the moon and stars, free of cares and worries.

Eventually, they slowed. Mithran shook his head and stopped at a small rocky outcropping Joaidane recognized. A small spring pool, no bigger than a dinner plate, bubbled up between the stones and filled the air with a fragrant, mineral scent. During his journeys across Samahara, he would have died if not for Mithran leading him to such treasure troves. In the deep desert, travelers valued life-sustaining water more than gold or precious gems.

After helping Zarina down, he led her over by the hand and conjured a silver goblet. For the sake of his vanity, as well as impressing her, he conjured one with an engraved pattern of roses and vines encircling the rim.

“If you aren’t a spy for the sultan, then what do you do? Are you a wandering magician? A scholar in search of knowledge?”

“I suppose you could say as much,” he replied. “Travel has certainly taught me a lot.”

Zarina laughed, then knelt beside the hidden spring and filled her cup. “I haven’t decided whether you’re being mysterious to vex me or because it’s simply who you are.”

A broad grin spread across his face. “Believe me, angering you is the last thing I want to do. But I am not used to sharing with people.”

“Will you tell me nothing of yourself?”

He considered the question and the terms set by Yasmina’s curse. How much could he share without violating the rules?

Meet Authors Vivienne Savage…

Peel your chickpeas (recommended) and add them in a food processor with the almond butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Process for about 30 seconds to a minute, until all the ingredients have mixed and the dip is smooth. (Vivi’s tip ~ If it comes out too thick, add a little milk. I prefer almond milk, but anything you like would be fine to help thin it out to a consistency you enjoy.)

Move to a serving bowl and garnish with cinnamon sugar on top.

I loved this dip with honey crisp apple slices and graham crackers, but you could serve yours with vanilla wafers, cookies, miniature chocolate bars, cinnamon pita chips, bananas, or anything else you dream up. ~ Vivienne