I was no burden. Not some tool to be left behind. I was a princess.
The ride through the outer palace grounds and city streets blurred in a flurry of movement. The horse’s antics kept my focus split—its neck arched, its steps jerking between a trot and the hint of a canter, as if it longed to break free. Each time I adjusted my grip, my lips pressed into a stubborn line, determined not to lose control.
The city fell away faster than expected. A few short minutes brought us from the palace courtyard, through the bustling streets, and beyond the walls. Fields rolled out, stretching wide and open, green waves that rippled under the day’s first light. Dew evaporated as the sun rose higher, a faint mist lifting from the earth, drifting skyward.
Tallon let his horse break into a full gallop. Grateful for the release, I allowed mine to follow in a swift canter. Though the pace jostled me, it seemed to calm the stallion, and I caught a flicker of amusement in Tallon’s gaze, his silent dare hanging between us.
Kaden’lon’s family estate soon emerged, a low sprawl of stone and timber, the braying of hounds reaching us well before we turned onto the drive. Their yelps and barks filled the air, and the scent of damp earth mixed with the warmmusk of animals. Servants moved about, some carrying bundles, others herding dogs toward the large house.
Like many of Radaan’s buildings, the Lon residence stretched outward, long and low rather than towering. Shadowed in the early light, it wrapped around itself, concealing inner courtyards from view. Sunlight skimmed over its sturdy walls, the structure seeming to fold into the land rather than rise above it.
Kaden emerged from the house, his smile broad, exuding an almost childlike delight. Loose tan trousers and an unlaced white tunic revealed more collarbone than decorum might demand, though he seemed oblivious—or worse, indifferent—to my presence as he greeted us. A flush crept over his cheeks when his gaze met mine, his casual attire sending an unwelcome jolt of surprise through me. He knew I was coming. He couldn’t bother with a proper coat?
“Good morn!” he called, blushing when he glanced my way.
“Morn!”
Tallon dismounted, tossing the reins to his guard. He strode forward, embracing Kaden with a broad smile, turning the man back toward his house, their conversation dropping to a low murmur. The young noble twisted, peeking over his shoulder, his features burning a richer shade of red.
A hot wave of humiliation crashed through me, leaving a bitter taste. My betrothed, a prince, discarded me like rubbish, abandoning me to dismount alone. The indignity cut deeper than mere neglect—it was deliberate. It was insulting.
The guard edged the horses closer, perhaps sensing my intent. I dismounted with practiced ease and landed with a crisp thud. Tallon’s eyes flicked my way, and my glare followed him, a sharp reminder that I hadn’t missed the slight.
My boots ate up the ground with brisk strides. I swept past them as a steward rushed to open the door, bowing as I approached.
When the men caught up with me, I allowed my tone to bleed with all the venom I could muster. “I do believe it’s feeding time?”
Tallon met my stare with practiced indifference—impervious to the fire behind my eyes.
In the kennels, the prince treated me as little more than a shadow, a mere inconvenience in his domain. I stood beside him, unacknowledged, as we watched the dogs tear into live rabbits—a grim display that left the air thick with snapping jaws and a sharp, metallic scent. I glanced his way, eyebrows raised, as he shot me a look, perhaps expecting me to pale or shrink back like some highborn lady.
Kaden’s mother, Jianth’lon, refused to set foot in the kennels during feedings. She had even tried to tempt me away with promises of tea, but I declined. I wanted to show Tallon that I could face his world, brutal though it was, without hesitation.
I was his betrothed, bound by duty to forge peace between our nations. Despite his apathy, I pushed forward, determined to make this alliance more than a hollow arrangement. He, however, shrugged off my every effort, leaving a slow, bitter anger simmering beneath my skin.
Hours later, as we returned to the palace, my mind lingered on the moment when I pointed out a hound that hesitated to eat its prey, saying how it might make a good hunting companion. Tallonlaughed—an outright, genuine, mocking laugh. The memory blazed, filling my vision with a wash of red.
The horse tensed beneath me, picking up on my fraying patience and drifting focus. Then, with a sudden jolt, it bolted, tearing down the road in a frenzy of pounding hooves and flaring nostrils.
My riding lessons had been safe, confined to parades within city walls or leisurely outings with my family. I had never galloped, never felt a creature surge beneath me with this wild, reckless force.
And so, in my panic, I made the most foolish decision—I dropped the reins.
My arms locked around the horse’s thick neck, my fingers digging into its rough coat. A startled curse left my lips as its head jerked up, cracking against mine with a force that sent stars bursting across my vision. Behind me, Tallon’s whoop rang out, mocking and exuberant, as we careened forward.
I squinted against the wind and the sting of coarse mane whipping my face. My teeth clashed hard, snapping down on my tongue, and a metallic warmth seeped into my mouth. I spat the blood, cursing the beast beneath me as it thundered toward the distant city.
I’d ridden dragons—beasts that made this creature seem tame in comparison. My father or brother always sat behind me, their hands firm on my waist. If I could ride a creature that feasted on horses, I could surely keep my seat on one.
Blinking against the blur, I focused on staying balanced, ignoring the horse’s joyful grunts as it pounded over the road. A single slip would send me hurtling toward the ground, leaving no hope of recovery against the hard-packed earth.
I reached for the leather strap snapping in the wind, fingers brushing close, desperate to catch the reins. If I could gain just enough control, I’d steer the beast in tight circles until it tired itself out.
The horse stumbled as I stretched, throwing me off-balance. My stomach lurched, and I slipped sideways, clinging to a handful of mane with one arm while I tightened my leg over its back, clinging to its side. I gritted my teeth, cursing my own stupidity as I dangled, muscles straining to keep my hold.
We barreled through the city gates, the din of startled shouts and cries swelling around us. I blocked out everything but the raw burn in my leg, clamping down with every ounce of strength I had left. The stables lay ahead, and if the beast kept running, I might just hang on that far.
My grip wavered, fingers sinking deeper into the black mane, ready to yank out a fistful with me if I fell. But then a second set of hooves drummed close beside us. My heart leapt in my chest as another rider closed in, their horse steady and sure at our side. My mount shied as they leaned in, catching the reins as it whipped past.
