“Don’t get any ideas.”I pushed against his chest, but he didn’t budge an inch.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear.“Too late, little flame.I’m already full of ideas.”
I had to clear my throat to find my voice.
“So, where are we?”I asked, stepping back and looking around.
The night sky stretched above us, painted with a thousand diamonds that glittered against the velvet darkness.We stood in what appeared to be a vast meadow, silver moonlight turning everything dreamlike.
Dalkhan brought his thumb and middle finger to his lips.The sharp whistle pierced the night air, almost musical.
The earth beneath my feet trembled with the rhythm of approaching hooves, powerful and drumming against the soft ground.A harsh snort cut through the air.
I spun around.
What approached us wasn’t just a horse—it was a creature of legend.
Massive didn’t begin to describe him.He towered above us both, his coat gleaming like obsidian in the moonlight, each muscle defined beneath skin.His mane flowed like black silk, catching the breeze as he moved with grace that defied his size.
Dalkhan stepped forward, extending his hand.“There’s my beautiful boy,” he said affectionately.
The massive stallion lowered his great head, velvet muzzle pressing against Dalkhan’s palm.A deep rumble vibrated from the horse’s chest.
“He’s…” I took a tentative step closer, reaching out to touch his glossy coat.“He’s incredible.Does he have a name?”
“Torak.”
“Torak,” I repeated, the name rolling off my tongue.
The stallion’s ears flicked toward me.
Dalkhan gripped my waist, lifting me clean off the ground.
“Wait, what are you—” I latched onto his wrists desperately as he hoisted me up, placing me on Torak’s broad back.
“Shit.”I fumbled, my hands scrambling for purchase.There was nothing—no saddle, no handles, just the powerful animal beneath me.
I shifted my weight, trying to find balance as my thighs stretched wide over his sides.I clamped my muscles hard to keep from tumbling over the edge.
Before I could complain, Dalkhan swung up behind me, his body pressing against my back.One strong arm wrapped tightly around my waist, anchoring me to him.
“Where’re those…” I spun my finger in the air, my brain scrambling for the word as adrenaline coursed through me.“Strings?No, wait…ropes?”
Dalkhan’s chest rumbled against my back as he chuckled.“Reins.”
“Yes!Those!”I twisted in his hold, frantically patting along Torak’s neck.“Where are they?”
“There’s no need for them,” he said, his voice maddeningly calm.
I went rigid, fingers flying to his forearm.“What do you mean there’s no need—”
His free hand traced up my side, skimming the curve of my waist before coming to rest just below my ribcage.“Relax,” he murmured, his lips finding the sensitive spot just behind my ear.
“How can I relax when there’s nothing to hold on to?”
“You have me to hold on to,” he whispered, his arm tightening, pulling me flush against him.“Trust me.I’ve got you.”
Dalkhan made a sharp clicking sound with his tongue, his heel tapping against Torak’s side.
