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Chalisa’s heart took off at a gallop and her stomach did a funny hop. “I’ve never heard a more wonderful plan.”
“I’m full of them.” He kissed her soundly.
They had to be pulled apart for her to sword fight with Hays. Hays was good with the sword like Jagger had been. He popped it out of her grip and she was defeated quickly. She didn’t get any points, but she also didn’t get hit with a heavy sword, so she was okay with failing at that one.
She was able to get out of the armor and clean up a bit and hurry back to watch Aiden and Jagger joust. Nerves assaulted her as she stood with Kingston at the edge of the lists. Aiden was on Kingston’s huge horse, Blaze. It was a beautiful, strong horse, and he was an even more beautiful man. He turned their direction and put his gloved fist to his heart before closing his visor and accepting the lance from Stuart.
“Huh,” Kingston muttered. “I do that with Reagan.”
Chalisa’s skin prickled and her pulse quickened. Kingston said nothing more, but she knew he approved of her and Aiden together. Sadly, it wouldn’t matter. Aiden wasn’t going to break his oath, and his life plan didn’t include her.
She pushed that away and focused on Aiden and Blaze.
The flag dropped and her nerves were strung tight as the horses raced across the packed dirt, the men on their backs looking intense, strong, and undefeatable. She clasped her hands together and prayed Aiden could win if possible, but above all else that he could be safe.
The horses were almost level, and both men jabbed their raised lances across the barrier and at each other. The lances’ ends exploded in a spray of wood shards. Aiden’s upper body flung backward, but he quickly straightened and slowed the horse down.
Everyone cheered, Chalisa loudest of all. She grabbed Kingston’s arm and jumped up and down. “He did it!”
“Impressive.” Kingston gave her a rare full smile. “I thought he’d get knocked on his back, as good as Lemuel is on a horse, but your man is as talented and tough as anybody I’ve ever worked with.”
Chalisa hugged her brother-in-law. He was obviously surprised. They usually only hugged hello and goodbye, but he returned the hug.
Then they both turned to watch the next round. If Aiden could hold his own, he’d at least split the points. Of course she wanted to win the million dollars, but she also wanted Aiden to win. She was proud of him; proud he was her man. Then her stomach dropped. He couldn’t be her man. After this magical time in Magna, the Hidden Kingdom, they’d go their separate ways again.
She hated when those thoughts intruded.
Aiden had a new lance in hand, and he spurred Blaze along the path toward Jagger. From Chalisa’s jaw to her toes, everything was clenched tight.
Please help him and keep him safe.
The men drew almost even and again tried to spear each other with their lances. Both wooden lances shattered, and both men kept their seats.
“Yes!” Chalisa cheered, jumping up and down.
Everyone seemed to cheer along with her. Aiden punched a fist in the air and wheeled around to ride back to Stuart and Wes and his last lance.
The stadium calmed as the men and horses lined up for the last run. Chalisa would love for Aiden to knock Jagger clean off his horse, but she didn’t want anyone hurt and she didn’t know that an experienced steeplechaser could be unsaddled.
She could hear her own breaths, the horses’ snorts, people quietly chattering in the stands.
The flag dropped, and everyone started cheering Aiden on, her most of all. She bounced on her heels, her hands in prayer mode, but she was too anxious to form a coherent prayer.
The men drew almost level, and she heard Kingston mutter, “He’s holding Blaze’s reins too tight.”
Chalisa couldn’t see the difference, but she did notice Blaze slow his pace the last few seconds. Aiden must’ve been startled by the change, not realizing he was holding the reins too tight as he hadn’t spent his life on a horse.
Jagger’s lance slammed into Aiden’s chest, the end shattering on Aiden’s breastplate.
Aiden’s jab was a split second too late. His lance glanced off of Jagger’s armor, not breaking.
The stadium seemed to deflate as their hero didn’t win the last round. There were a few polite claps and Hays, Shawn, and Mercedes all cheered.
“Captain Lemuel wins the joust seven points to three,” Bodi announced.
“Hoo-yah!” Jagger called out over the too-quiet stadium.
“Hoo-yah!” Hays and Shawn answered him.
