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“Very well. I’ll learn to better accept assistance.” I nodded, and with Clemencia, set off for the sleigh.
We didn’t even make it there when Roar rode up alongside us. He peered down at me with a devilish glint in his eyes. “Actually, I just had a thought. Would you like to ride part of the way? At my side?”
Clemencia clutched her heart, like she was about to swoon on the spot.
“I’ve ridden before, but not often.” I rubbed my arms. “And last time I was in poor shape afterward.”
Roar smiled warmly. “We’ll go slow. And you’d only have to do so at the start of our journey. My people would love to see you as you leave for court.”
I swallowed. “If you think that’s best.”
The warden dismounted and waved a soldier holding the reins of two horses over. “Bring Anya over here!”
The male handed over one horse to someone else and approached us. I sized up the horse.
She stood shorter and stouter than Judge and, like all of the horses in the yard, had a far thicker coat to keep out the cold. From the way she trotted, Anya practically vibrated with energy. Spirited, as some horsemasters might say.
“She’ll be perfect for you,” Roar assured me, and I rearranged my features into a smile.
Though I’d rather be in the sleigh, it would be good to get more horseback riding training. What if I had to ride at court? And Roar thought right about having the townsfae see us ride off together. The warden seemed certain the royal house would send spies to Guldtown after we arrived at Frostveil Castle. The more he presented me as a lady who had stolen the heart of the Warden of the West, the better.
“My lady,” the soldier said as he neared. “You’ll be riding Anya?”
“I will.” He brought the horse to me and positioned her so I could mount.
“Allow me to assist.” Roar’s powerful hands landed on my waist and lifted me onto the horse.
The moment I sat in the saddle, I realized that with my thick skirts, I’d have to travel sidesaddle. I wouldn’t be able to grip the sides of the horse with my legs, which was how I’d managed to stay glued to Judge before. The seat was less comfortable this way too. I shifted, not really liking the position and already wanting down.
But Roar watched me with such pride and expectation that I had to try.
“Alright then.” I exhaled, taking the reins as Roar stepped back. “I have to admit that this is—eek!”
Someone dropped a trunk, creating a loud noise, and Anya jolted forward. As I hadn’t been well situated in the first place, I lost my balance. Before I knew it, I had slipped and landed on the soft snow.
It would have been fine if I had fallen alone. But in the castle yard so many fae stared.
Heat filled my cheeks as I stood. “Maybe this won’t work.”
“Apologies!” Roar came to my side in an instant and extended his hands.
I took them, embarrassed. “I should probably just ride in the sleigh. Sidesaddle might not be my thing.”
“Oh, you rose astride before?” His eyebrows rose.
“Yes. I think I have better balance that way.”
“I see.” Roar cast a glance at where Anya had been stopped some twenty paces away. “Perhaps you could simply ride with me, rather than next to me?”
I stiffened. “With you?”
“If you’re comfortable being close to me, that is. You’d still be sidesaddle, but I can keep you on the seat.”
Riding with so little space between our bodies would be intimate. But then again, we were supposed to be engaged and it would make an impression.
“Yes, we can do that,” I said before I could back out. “For a bit.”
The warden’s grin could have melted all the snow in the courtyard. “Then, allow me, my lady.”
