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"This is Calamity," Graeson's voice was surprisingly gentle as he stroked the horse's nose.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Fitting."
Graeson shrugged and nodded her over. But when Kallie did not move, he looked back at her, his brows raised in amusement. "Afraid of horses, little mouse?"
Kallie tried to laugh it off, to pretend it was not true, but the laughter was more of a cackle—strangled and hoarse. The corner of Graeson's lip twitched. He reached out his hand. Hesitant, Kallie took a stilted step toward the horse. As Kallie neared, the horse's head swayed. Kallie tried to retreat, but Graeson's grip on her hand tightened.
She snarled at his hand. He was quickly becoming a nuisance.
"She won't hurt you." For the first time, there was no hint of spite or bitterness in Graeson's voice. Instead, he spoke with a tenderness that should not belong on her captor's tongue.
Kallie met his assessing gaze but said nothing.
"Your fear will only make the ride more unpleasant. It will make her nervous."
"She?" Kallie asked.
Graeson nodded. "She's my most trusted horse. Has never let me down."
"Yet," Kallie mumbled.
Calamity struck the ground with her front hoof forcing Kallie back another step. This time Graeson let her retreat. While the corners of Graeson's lips tugged slightly upward, he returned his gaze to Calamity. "She gets a little moody here and there, but she's a gentle giant at her core."
"I don't think she likes me very much."
"She's offended by your lack of faith in her, that's all."
"Oh, is that all?"
With a look from Graeson, Kallie approached begrudgingly, still wary of the beast before her. Sweat glazed the back of her neck. Calamity could easily crush her. Knock her giant snout into Kallie and push her down.
The horse moved its large head, and Kallie fought the urge to retreat again. If she was going to be successful in her plan, she needed to mount the horse. There was no way around it. The journey would be long and she knew asking to walk instead was foolish.
Graeson raised her hand—a hand still wrapped tightly around Graeson's. He placed it on the horse's neck and Kallie froze. The horse's nostrils flared as it smelled her. Then the horse turned its head, dismissively.
"Mount up!"
Kallie jumped at Fynn's command and Graeson's hand fell from hers.
Graeson gave Calamity a final pat on the nose and moved to the horse's side. "Grab the pommel," Graeson commanded, his voice was vacant of emotion, the gentleness from a moment ago discarded.
Kallie wiped her palms on her trousers, then awkwardly grabbed a hold of the pommel with her bound hands.
"Put your foot here.” He pointed to the footrest.
Kallie rolled her eyes. Mounting a horse wasn't the problem. But instead of arguing, she followed his directions.
She used her remaining strength and heaved herself up and over Calamity. Not a moment later, the horse shifted under Graeson's weight. Her heart beat against her chest, the sound echoing in her ears.
"Ever heard of personal space?" Kallie asked.
Graeson huffed. "You are my responsibility, and we are not naive enough to let you have your own horse."
"But youarenaive,” Kallie mumbled.
"As are you, Princess."
Kallie may not have traveled a lot during her life, but she was not inexperienced. She knew more about the world than Graeson thought. But she didn't bother responding. He would find out in due time.
