Chapter Sixty-One #3
He sighs so loudly they might be able to hear it at the castle.
“By some point during your stay, I will have you referring to me by name. But for now, I will allow this formality since you are in the process of learning a new skill.” He gestures in my direction.
“I could understand never needing to ride, but what about desire? Have you never wanted to take a leisurely ride during your free time?”
Now it is my turn to scoff, and my eyes widen as I stare back at the Prince. “I apologize; it is just that I am not afforded the ability to partake in activities such as horseback riding.”
“Do not tell me you cannot slip away from time to time to do something you enjoy.”
“You would command me to lie?” I quirk my brow in challenge as the Prince lets out a sound of shock, pulling his horse to a halt.
I practice doing the same, partially just to prove that I can, with my heart settling once Filly easily follows my command.
“You are doing well,” the Prince commends, and I cannot help but smile back. “I am sorry if my surprise was at all offensive. It seems I am ignorant as to the specific constraints placed upon you.”
“You have caused me no offense, Your Royal Highness.”
The Prince stares back with a blank expression, then I release a breath when his mouth begins to rise in the corners.
We practice for half an hour, and my confidence grows every time Stable Master Jan approves of my reception to his feedback.
When I have shown enough proficiency in the skills required to ride on my own in a less contained environment, I bring Filly to a halt in order to dismount so we all might get cleaned up in preparation for lunch.
Lars disappears in the form of a red stripe, speeding over the fence to the nearest row of trees, apparently collecting material for his whittling.
He’s already back in a blink, inspecting his findings before pocketing them as Malin shakes his head, though he can’t hide the small smile pulling on the corner of his lips.
Prince Auden and Varic stride closer to where I’ve come to a halt. They take one look at each other before their collective gaze lands on me, and the Prince takes off in a blur—speeding to my side, proving he can use any of his inborn magic, even if flying is known to be his strongest form.
“Allow me.” He offers me his hand as Varic’s magic contracts over my skin, reminding me he’s there while preventing the Prince from touching me again.
“Fucking snatcher.” Varic’s voice is low, but not enough to escape the Prince’s notice, as the royal turns to him while quirking his brow.
“Did you just call me a ‘snatcher’?”
Varic shakes his head, and I send him a tendril of calm, to which he returns a sense of adoration, which grows so quickly it overpowers the rest. An emotion which warms my heart as I retract my power to observe this duel of words between him and the royal.
Prince Auden places his hands on his hips and asks, “What does it mean, exactly?”
“It refers to someone who steals,” Lars explains, while fiddling with the wood he’s pocketed, which noticeably juts out from within his riding leathers as he and the rest of my Guards follow behind him. “You know, someone who takes something which isn’t theirs.”
“Like your Empire.” The Prince’s quip flows from him so easily my stomach twists as I send a tendril of complacency into each of their chests.
Fray gestures to the royal. “And your Kingdom.”
Cirrin nods. “Except our Empire was founded on our first ruler returning a Dragon egg which was stolen, making the term ‘snatcher’ the worst thing you can be called in our culture.”
My eyes fall closed, and I stifle a groan now that my healer has added such context to the term Varic inappropriately used in the royal’s presence.
“What’s the worst thing one can be called here in Annovia?” Fray asks, apparently trying to save Cirrin from his word choice for once.
“A ‘con’.” The Prince glances pointedly at Varic. “A maliciously dishonest being.”
Fray’s face falls. “Well, that’s not very clever.”
“No, but it is honest.” His Royal Highness turns back to Varic. “So, are you suggesting I am ‘snatching’ the Imperial Grand Witch by aiding her down from this horse?” The Prince’s mouth curves upward as he offers me his hand once more.
I take it while sending my Lead Guard a pointed look. The Prince instructs me on how to perform the steps needed to dismount on my own until his hands brace Varic’s shield covering my waist, and I drop to the ground with the tell-tale heat of Varic’s gaze tracing my being.
My Guards cheer to celebrate my success, with Cirrin’s whistle cutting through the applause. I bend in a dramatic bow and allow a laugh with their show of support.
Fray nudges me with his elbow. “Knew you could do it.”
“Thanks.” I smile back.
“You were a model student.” Varic’s voice takes on a sentimental quality.
“You truly were.” Prince Auden’s gaze darts over to my Lead Guard.
“I think I may like horses as much as Dragons,” I admit, to which the Prince laughs while Varic’s face falls.
“Promise me you will never say that anywhere near Minea,” Varic warns. “Or you would surely break his heart.”
Prince Auden scoffs. “I highly doubt a Dragon would be so easily offended.”
“Have you ever met a Dragon?” I ask, assuming he must have, as Annovia is home to many.
“Of course I have. Our Dragons must not be as sensitive as yours.”
A knowing look crosses each of my Guards’ expressions, as Dragons are known to be masterful at hiding their true nature until they determine you are worthy of more.
We offer our thanks to Stable Master Jan after more than enough attention has been shown to Filly in appreciation for her service, especially since I will be seeing her again in a matter of hours.
My magic detects Varic’s distress increasing the moment Prince Auden offers me the crook of his arm to hold on to for our stroll back to the castle.
I siphon enough of his distress that his shoulders relax, selfishly sending a bit of the adoration I feel for him, though it may sting to receive in our current predicament.
Instead, his mood shifts with appreciation, coupled with the light behind his eyes having returned as he glances over at me—showing how I might not know much when it comes to expressing my feelings for the one I love.