Page 120 of Aryn

“Ass,” he hisses as he shoves my shoulder. “You said you wouldn’t laugh!”

“Technically, I said I wouldn’t make fun of you.” Cato turns to walk away, but I catch him by the wrist and pull him back, fighting to keep my face neutral. “Don’t go, please. I’m sorry. Finish your story.”

He glares at me for a minute before caving with a roll of his eyes. “He told me they were scared of the color orange, and I didn’t believe him. So, obviously, he had to prove it to me, and we snuck into the stables. Gideon told me to pet one, but he fucking spooked it. I nearly pissed myself running away. I haven’t gotten close to one since.”

“Why don’t we go visit the stables?” I suggest, gesturing at the sunny sky above us. “The weather is nice. We can find a friendly one and practice.” Cato is still uncertain, so I let the teasing fall from my face as I take a step closer. “We’ll ride together.”

He sizes me up before glancing down at himself. “Listen. I don’t know if you know this, but we’re not exactly small guys.”

I hum as I tug him forward, knocking his hips against mine. “Trust me, I’m very aware you’re not a small guy.”

“I can hear you,” Ronan grumbles.

Cato coughs a laugh and flips him off, eyes never leaving mine. “They can hold us,” I promise. “Sylvaren are hearty. They could easily carry twice our weight, and most have great temperaments. You’ll love them.”

He doesn’t look entirely convinced, but nods and takes my hand. The stables sit near the main gates, carrying the sweet scent of hay as we step inside. We speak with one of the stable hands, who leads us to a mature mare.

I stay close, guiding Cato’s hands as he strokes along her neck. “Her name is Nymir,” I tell him. “She’s calm. She doesn’t care what color your hair is.”

Cato huffs a nervous laugh, but when she knickers softly and tries to nibble at his fingers, a breathtaking smile splits his face. He runs his hand through her mane, and she leans into the touch, tossing her head.

“Would it be all right if we rode her?” I ask.

The stable hand nods enthusiastically. “Of course!” She enters the stall and prepares Nymir while we watch.

I explain each piece of tack to Cato as it goes on—the blanket over her broad back, the double saddle as it’s cinched into place, and the bridle as it’s looped around her head. Once everything is secure, the stable hand waves Cato forward to take the reins.

His shoulders are stiff as he leads Nymir toward the training ring, so I quietly ask for privacy. She gives me a knowing smile and slips back into the barn, leaving us alone.

Hooves have trampled the snow into mud, and rocks crunch under our feet as we lead her around the perimeter a few times. Cato watches the way she walks, paying close attention to how her back rolls with the movement.

We halt, and I step beside Nymir. “Watch me first.”

I show him how to approach, gather the reins, and swing into the saddle. Nymir stands patiently, ears flicking forward as I settle my weight. I pat her neck and slide down again.

“Your turn.”

Cato grimaces, but blows out a determined breath. “Yep. Okay.”

I move in close, planting my hands on his hips to help guide him. “Foot in the stirrup. Grab the pommel, and on three, push off and swing your leg over.”

We count down together, and I give him a boost as he climbs into the saddle. He’s a little clumsy, but he makes it up. Nymir shifts under the new weight but stays calm, and I keep one hand on his thigh to steady him as he finds his balance.

Seeing him push past his nerves hits me harder than I expect. In our world, trust like this doesn’t come easily.

“Good,” I murmur. “Loosen up. Relax your hips and let your body move with hers.”

He circles the ring a few times while I keep pace beside him, watching the stiffness gradually leave his frame. “Ready for me to join you?”

He glances down skeptically. “You’re sure she can hold us both?”

“Positive.” When he nods, I swing up behind him and settle close, chest pressed to his spine and thighs bracketing his. I reach around to take the reins, arms caging him in as I pull him back against me.

“Comfortable?” I ask, lips brushing his ear.

Cato lets out a shaky breath. “Yeah. This feels really different with you behind me.”

“Pretty sure you said that last night, too.”