Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Penny
Given the choice, I would not ride a unicorn with a knight in shining armor again.
First of all, it attracted way too much attention.
But worse than that… it just didn’t work.
There wasn’t room in the saddle, so I had to turn and face him, spreading my legs around him… not entirely complaining about that.
But, Phoenix was already thick. Add a suit of armor, and if I wasn’t fairly limber, my legs wouldn’t have spread that wide.
Anyway, as Atlas helped me dismount, and kept his hands around me long enough to make sure my legs were steady, I wondered how we would move forward. Even if this thing between us worked at Rawhide Ranch, what would we tell our parents?
Everest carried his helmet under his arm. “I’ll find someone to take over the knight in shining armor thing.”
“No, don’t. I’m not quite done admiring my knights, but like any proper princess, I need to do it from afar at first.” Saying it that way was more fun than saying that I needed a minute to myself but they look confused.
“You know, I have to admire you from the highest room of the tallest tower…”
That got the point across. Turning the final unicorn over to the partiers, Everest took me aside, away from everyone, where I could watch the festivities without being in them.
“Now go see how happy your efforts make everyone.”
“But we want to be with you,” Everest dramatically begged.
“Later. Right now you have a commitment.”
The three of them fulfilled their roles, giving me time to process everything while enjoying the party on my terms.
I couldn’t hold my trio at fault for initially assuming my mother knew best. And while I hated that she made me feel inferior, her actions had worked out.
It was my stepbrothers’ realizations that I was strong and capable, and shy and reserved, that tipped the scales… taught me something about myself.
When it came down to it, they really were good guys who’d gotten caught in an impossible situation.
As they helped guests on and off unicorns, and posed for pictures, they gave no indication how opposed they had been to this event… well, mainly Atlas and Phoenix.
It was so tempting to think this could work, but could I handle having a reverse harem?
Had they been right? I’d need them to take turns? Otherwise, how would I know where to look or what to touch? That last part would be hard enough to figure out with one guy.
I shuddered. Curiosity led me to name five things I could see on a man, four I could touch… Nope it wasn’t calming, it was sensory overload.
Catherine approached with a water bottle. I took it from her and wondered if I could be dehydrated from all of the crying.
Purple shimmering caught my attention. I held the bottle up. Glitter was floating in the water. “Is this safe to drink?”
“It’s edible glitter? So, yes, it’s fine.”
“I didn’t know that was a thing.”
“I didn’t either, but life is full of surprises, isn’t it?” She smiled at me. “Would you like to talk, or is my duty done by giving you water?”
I glanced to my side. “I’d like to talk.”
She took the seat. Her bottle had blue glitter.
“Do you think it could work between the four of us?”
Her laugh was heartfelt. “Given all of the things I’ve seen at the Ranch, I’d say anything’s possible.
Master Derek, Samuel, and I have all spoken with them about the need for honesty in a relationship, particularly a relationship involving kink…
opening themselves up and being vulnerable, as you’ve done. ”
“Everybody tells me I’m too naive, but it’s okay to forgive my stepbrothers, isn’t it?”
“That’s not for me to decide, but the ability to forgive is admirable as long as you do it for the right reasons.”
“And those would be?”
“Forgive them because you don’t want to hold anger or resentment in your heart. Forgive them because we’re all human, and if we examine our own lives, we can each find something we’ve done that given the chance, we’d go back and do differently.”
“That makes sense.” Drinking glitter water did not. I had to force myself not to think about how glitter moved through the body.
“But only move forward in the relationship if you feel ready.”
“Huh… forgiving them and moving forward with them are two separate things, aren’t they?”
“Very distinct. They have to hear you and respect you. Being in a relationship with someone else, and navigating that person’s interests, fears, concerns with your own is hard enough. Doing it with three is a tougher dynamic.”
“It seems almost impossible to pull off without getting overwhelmed,” I said.
She motioned to the festivities. “We’re sitting here watching a unicorn party. Embrace the magic of possibility. And think outside of the box. Talk to them about whatever you need to keep the experience positive.”
“Do you think blindfolds could help? One of the instructors said blindfolds can heighten awareness in the other senses, but without seeing everybody, I wonder if it could help?”
“The only way you’ll know if it works for you is if you try, but that’s perfect thinking. I’m going to give you my number, and if you ever need to talk, even after you go home, call me. I offer you my services free of charge.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.” Sunshine glinted off of my trio’s armor causing me to reflexively close my eyes. I took that as a sign and asked, “Is it too late to reserve a room in the Dungeon, and would it be possible to set up a table and have dinner served in one of the private rooms?”
Catherine patted my hand. “Nothing’s impossible at Rawhide Ranch.”