15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
I meet Viridian in the royal stables. He wears a dark cloak with the hood pulled up over his head.
Lifting the hood of my own cloak over my head, I suppress the memories it raises. I don’t want to think about the stables back home in Slyfell. Or how far I’ve fallen.
He rests his hand on a midnight stallion, holding the reins. It only takes me a moment to remember the horse’s name—Nightfoot. Seeing him again for the first time in weeks, I remember how beautiful Nightfoot is, but I keep that to myself.
When Viridian sees me, he steps forward, hand outstretched.
I approach slowly, looking at it. “Which horse will I take?”
He pats Nightfoot’s ebony coat. “This one.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll also ride this one.”
I swallow. “I can ride alone.”
“Can you?” Viridian arches a brow. “You know how to ride?”
I simmer, turning my face.
“That’s what I thought,” he says. Is that triumph I hear? Perhaps I’m imagining it. Either way, it makes my face hot with anger. “We’ll ride together.”
I move to mount the horse, ignoring his outstretched hand.
I secure my foot in the stirrup and attempt to swing my leg over the horse. My dress limits my movement, my skirts bunching. I try to lift my leg again, but all I end up doing is fighting with the fabric.
Strong hands grip my rear and lift me up onto the saddle. Once I’m up, I swing my leg over the horse. My skirts gather around my knees, but I don’t care if it’s unladylike.
Viridian gets up behind me and sits so his chest is pressed to my back.
“I didn’t need help.” I scowl, even though he can’t see my face .
“You could have fooled me,” he says, sarcasm coloring his tone.
“I had it under control.”
“Your pride will recover, I’m sure.”
I clutch the saddle and deny him the pleasure of a response. But Viridian only chuckles and urges Nightfoot forward, applying slight pressure with his legs as he does.
“What is so amusing?” I ask, letting my aggravation show.
“You.”
“What about me?”
Viridian only laughs. “I fear you’ll bite my head off if I tell you the truth.”
“Tell me,” I demand, quickly losing my patience.
“You’re rather cute when you’re angry with me.” He laughs and holds up his hands in surrender. The horse continues to trot. “Please, I beg of you, spare my life!”
I turn around and lightly punch his arm. “It’s not funny.”
“I find it amusing.”
“Of course you do.”
“I do.”
“Must you always have the last word?” I ask with a roll of my eyes.
“I must.”
“Why?”
“Because it vexes you,” Viridian quips. I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Because it vexes me?” I echo. “Why must you vex me, Viridian?”
“Because it amuses me.”
“Ah, I see we’ve come full circle now.” The last of my annoyance melts away. Now I’m smiling, too.
“Indeed, we have.”
My smile widens. Viridian grips the reins, tightening his arms around me. With my irritation subsiding, I’m hyper aware of his body next to mine. His muscled chest to my back, his thighs gripping my rear, arms around my waist, hands within reach of my breasts…
I cough, grateful that he can’t see the blush rising to my cheeks.
Viridian shifts in the saddle, and the motion moves his manhood closer to my rear. I arch my back a little in response, subtly pushing myself against him.
He lets out a shallow breath on my neck.
“What are you doing, Little Fawn?”
“Nothing,” I say.
“Oh,” he says, voice low and gravelly, “we both know it’s not nothing.”
I swallow. His voice sends electricity rippling down my skin. Warmth spreads through me, hardening my nipples to attention.
Curse this male.
How can his voice alone be enough to arouse me?
He leans forward, tilting his mouth down to my neck. “Are you teasing me, Little Fawn? ”
My lips part for my breath. My words lack their usual bravado. “Me? Tease you? Never.”
Viridian chuckles, a low and seductive sound. “Mmm, I think you are.”
I lick my lips. The warmth of his body and the way it makes me feel has me at a loss for words. His closeness is addicting. All I can think about is him.
How much more of him I want.
“What makes you say that?” I ask at last.
“Well, let’s see,” he drawls, bucking his hips against me. “Your perfect ass against my erection, perhaps.”
I gasp. His hardness presses into my rear. Our clothes are the only thing stopping him from slipping into my wetness.
“Perhaps,” I muse, trying to keep my voice even.
“I thought so.” I can hear the wicked smirk in his voice, though I don’t dare look back.
“How do I know you’re not the one teasing me?” I ask, scooching my hips back more.
A growl catches in Viridian’s throat. The sound sends heat trickling down my neck. I shudder.
“Teasing you?” His voice sounds strained.
“Yes,” I breathe. “Teasing me with your rubbing.”
“Mmm,” he purrs. “That would imply that I’m the one with all the power.” He touches his lips to my neck. “And we both know that’s not true. Don’t we, Little Fawn?”
I can’t deny that.
We approach the castle gates. Viridian clears his throat and waves to the guards up in the tower. I look down at my hands to hide my flushed cheeks. A moment later, the gate screeches as it rises. Wood creaks when the drawbridge sinks to its lowered position.
We pass under the gate and cross the drawbridge. Nightfoot’s hooves clack on cobblestone as we advance further into the city.
I try not to think of how close Viridian is while we ride through the city. To suppress the desire thrumming in my core.
Though, the task proves to be more difficult than I’d like. All the things he whispered in my ear just moments ago still run through my mind.
So, I study the city instead.
Keuron is much different than Slyfell. At home, I’d gotten used to wooden and cobblestone houses with thatched roofs lining gravel roads. Here, I’m surrounded by multistory buildings made from stone bricks and marble, topped with richly colored clay roof tiles. Shops and artisan workshops make up the bottom floor, and I assume living spaces sit above them. Cobblestone streets run between the buildings, connecting every part of the city. It’s only sunset, but glowing oil lamps sit at every street corner, giving off warm light.
Even the human districts here are wealthier than the ones back home. It only reminds me of how much we have to lose if the mines run dry.
“Where to?” Viridian asks .
“Let’s find a stable,” I say. “Did you bring coins?”
“Yes.” Viridian taps his pocket.
“Don’t do that,” I scold him.
“What?”
“Don’t tap your pocket. That’ll only tell thieves where your valuables are.”
“Oh.” His voice goes soft. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” I say. It feels strange to be on the same side. I brush away the thought.
Our alliance is only temporary.
We ride down the main road until we see a sign marking a stable. Viridian tugs on the reins, and Nightfoot slows to a stop.
He puts a hand on the flap of the saddle and swings his leg over Nightfoot to dismount. Then, he turns to face me, holding out his hand.
“Take it, Cryssa.”
I look at him for a moment. Letting out a breath, I put my hand in his. Viridian’s amber gaze locks with mine when he helps me down.
With my feet on solid ground, I look away and smooth my skirts.
“How often have you gone into the city?” I ask. I don’t feel the need to adjust my cloak—no one here knows who I am. They have no reason to.
At least, not yet.
“Like this?” Viridian asks, shoulders raised. “Never.”
“What?” I can’t help but gawk. “You’ve never left High Keep? Ever?”
“Yes.” His cheeks redden, and he turns away from me.
“But the castle is—”
“I’m aware.” His response is curt. I must have hit a nerve.
I lead us into the stable office and approach the counter. Viridian follows, mouth pressed into a fine line.
Behind the counter, an older man leans against the wall. When he notices us, he corrects his posture.
“Hello,” he says gruffly. “What can I do for ya?”
“How much for one horse?” I ask.
“How long would ya need?”
“Until tomorrow evening.”
The man names his price. Viridian slips a hand into his pocket and hands over the coins.
Pulling open a coin drawer, the man drops the coins in before closing it again. He calls for a boy, who runs from a door behind him.
“We’ll take care of yer horse.”
At that, the boy moves to the front door and opens it for us. I go first, then Viridian. The boy trails after us and takes Nightfoot’s reins before leading him into the stable.
“All right,” I mutter to myself.
Now what?
“I’m following you,” Viridian tells me, pulling his hood down farther to cover his face.
“People always gossip in taverns,” I say. “Let’s eat and then look for an inn to sleep in for the night.”
Viridian just nods.
“Now to find a tavern,” I murmur, turning. In Slyfell, we have more taverns in the center of the city, near the market. I assume that will be the case here, too.
I look around before deciding which direction to go. Viridian stays close by my side.
People carrying empty baskets pass us on the other side of the road. Women tugging on children’s hands, men, and others. After looking both ways, we cross the street to follow them.
Up ahead, there’s a large opening between the buildings.
That must be the center of the city.
Viridian’s eyes widen in wonder, and he leans his head back to take in more of our surroundings. His steps slow, and he cranes his neck to look up at how high some of the buildings stretch. People move around him on either side, advancing farther into the bustle of the city square.
“Come on,” I say.
I take his hand and pull him forward as I walk. He adjusts his pace to match mine, but his focus is still elsewhere. Market stalls packed with goods fill the square. The sounds of wagon wheels rolling on stone and loud voices fill my ears, and the aroma of freshly baked bread graces my nostrils. Street vendors call out prices on each of our sides, holding out their wares as we pass. We saunter by a stall with fresh produce, one with leather goods, and another with fine jewelry. I wave my hand at all of them, so they know we aren’t interested in buying anything. That’s not why we’re here, after all.
I look back over my shoulder. The childlike awe on Viridian’s face captivates me. The stone-faced expression I’m used to is nowhere to be found. Even though he’s away from High Keep, experiencing the human districts for the first time, he’s not reserved, or stiff, the way I thought he would be. For once, it seems like he’s completely at ease. Completely himself.
I can’t look away.
Viridian’s eyes meet mine. He smiles, and it’s a wide, toothy grin, lit up like the brightest of stars.
I avert my gaze, a blush rising to my cheeks. Looking forward again, I tighten my hand around Viridian’s, leading us through the crowd. We weave through bodies until we reach the road that runs perpendicular to the square. Small shops line the road, and there are some people that linger outside, but it’s much less crowded here.
Glancing up at the buildings, I find what I’ve been looking for.
“In here.” I tug his hand and step through an open doorway.