I hike up the hem of my dress and hurry toward the stable, determination marching my feet forward. Learning to ride is one step closer to freedom. I still have nearly two months before the wedding in which to learn, but I want to be free from here as soon as possible. Even if that means living in the outskirts of Karm.
The only thing that hinders my plan is the damned wall surrounding Court. There has to be a way past it. It’s not as if I can simply walk through the electrified gate. The rare moments when it’s powered down and open, guards are posted in the gatehouse towers. I’d consider climbing the wall, but it’s as high as a small mountain. Even if I found a useful device to get me over, I’d be spotted. Tunneling under it seems logical. But how long would that take me? I’d be caught surely.
There has to be a way.
But once I make it out, then what? I wish I had a place prepared, but there’s not enough time to gain Sebastian’s trust in order to leave Court and arrange one. Even if I did have more time, where would I go? The best I can hope for is finding an abandoned cottage tucked away in the forest. My father took me to the woods often, and I felt safe playing in them as a girl. It will be like I’m close to him again.
Devlan walks behind me as usual. He’s not said much since breakfast, but I’m getting used to him tagging along. It still irks me that he follows behind like a damned servant, but battling formalities is the least of my worries today.
With each step toward the stable, I’m getting closer to breaking free.
Sebastian is already atop his gorgeous white horse, and he canters her around the fenced-in area surrounding the stable. His blond hair shimmers in the bright noon sun, and his back is set straight, looking like he has ridden every day of his life.
I climb the bottom post and rest my stomach against the top rail, then lean over and stretch my hand out to greet Hawken as she’s strutted over. “Hey there, girl.” I pet the velvety hair between her nostrils, then turn my palm up so she can scent me.
Sebastian dismounts and hops easily over the fence. “Ready?” Without waiting for my reply, he grasps my waist and hoists me up and over the top of the fence, seating me on the rail.
I teeter, gripping the wood for balance, while he climbs over to the other side. “Here.” He takes me by the waist again and slowly lowers me to the ground. His hands linger, keeping me close, and I push against his chest to back him away.
Whatever his mind is entertaining, I won’t allow him to use teaching me to ride for his games. I’ll remind him with every movement that I do not belong to him.
While Sebastian adjusts the saddle, my eyes inadvertently seek Devlan. He leans leisurely against the fence, his forearms draped over the wood beam, and stares at the ground. He doesn’t speak much most of the time, but when Sebastian is near, he’s even quieter. I wonder if that’s what’s expected of his station. Today, he’s downright mute. Maybe he was reprimanded for coming to my aid last night after all.
“Zara,” Sebastian calls, gaining my attention. “Let’s begin your lesson, shall we?”
I nod, but suddenly I’m not as brave when he takes my hand and guides me to the horse. She’s beautiful from a distance, and even when petting her. Standing next to her now, the mere size of the horse makes my stomach queasy.
“Trust me.” With a wink, Sebastian steps into the stirrup and mounts his horse.
I take in a calming breath as he extends his hand. “Jump as I pull,” he instructs. I do. He slings me onto the back of Hawken and I nearly fall off the other side. “Whoa.” He reaches his other arm around and catches me as Hawken shifts her weight beneath us. “Mayhap, less jump next time.”
“Or less pull,” I grumble.
He huffs. “Does everything have to be an argument?” He shakes his head. “How am I to teach you if you combat everything I say?”
Good point. I swallow my pride. “Fine.” Sitting sidesaddle, I look around at my position, and cross my ankles as instructed. Luckily, I planned ahead and strapped my dagger to my inner thigh, so it’s not gouging me during the ride. “Where do I place my hands?”
He chuckles. “Oh, that’s a loaded question.”
“Sebastian,” I say, my warning clear.
“Place them here.” He grabs my wrists and wraps my arms around his waist, resting my hands on his taut stomach. His thumb grazes the back of my hand, but he says nothing about the fading cuts.
He kicks his heels, urging Hawken into a trot. I tighten my hold and scoot closer to him. The bounce under my bottom makes me nervous as I slide around on the saddle, and I’m even more grateful that I situated my dagger beforehand.
I quickly slip a hand in my tunic pocket and discretely feel for the communicator Devlan gave me, before anchoring my arms back around Sebastian.
As we pass Devlan, Sebastian says, “I’m taking Zara out. Tell the kitchen to hold supper until we return.”
I look at Devlan, expecting him to insist we need him with us. His face is still downcast, his eyes trained on the ground. He only nods, then turns and heads toward the castle. Panic trails its finger down my spine. I had assumed Devlan would ride along. I don’t want to be anywhere alone with Sebastian.
Pushing my unease into the pit of my stomach, I focus my attention on staying seated on the horse. I will not allow the prince to intimidate me. “Where are we going?”
“We can’t go into town. Not without our guards accompanying us. But I can take you somewhere just outside Court. Somewhere that might show you what life can be like here if you…” He trails off.
“If I what?” I press.
“If you would just give me—give it—a chance.”
He quickly corrected his statement, but his message was clear. This venture out is not to convince me to enjoy castle life. It’s to sway me to give in to his affections. I curse myself for not making it a point to wait for the stable hand.
This is a mistake.
“You might want to hold me tighter, my love.” I can hear the smile in his voice. I stiffen my back, angered that I allowed myself into this situation, but I do as he says when he kicks her sides and Hawken breaks into a canter.
The wind blows my hair back, and the heavy thud of Hawken’s hooves hitting the ground rings through my chest, a drumming that matches the rhythm of her strides. I latch my hands together, squeezing his waist so firmly I’m probably hurting him, but he says nothing. Not that I could hear him over the whistling in my ears or the pounding of the horse’s hooves.
We ride hard and fast for a short while, and soon I’m lost in the sensation—the feeling of freedom the speed brings. When we slow, the sound of the woods is muffled in my ears, the crickets’ buzz a distant noise. A low trickling echoes against the trees, and a winding brook comes into view. We’re right up on the stone wall, and the treetops of the dense forest beyond peek over its top.
Sebastian leans back, pulling the reins, and Hawken whinnies and comes to a stop. “Whoa,” he says. “Good girl. Good girl.” He unclasps my hands from around his stomach. They’ve been locked together so tightly I can’t feel my fingers.
He reaches behind and offers me his hand. I take it, and he helps me balance and slide sideways off the horse. As my feet hit the ground, I immediately stumble. “Oh, God,” I say. I can’t feel my butt. Or the back of my thighs.
After he dismounts, he laughs and places his arm around my waist, steadying me. “I forgot. The first time you might be a little numb.”
Despite myself, I laugh. “Just a little.” I shake out my legs one at a time. I’m so elated from the experience that I don’t immediately notice his arm still around me. I pull away, wary of why we’ve stopped. A sickness settles in the pit of my stomach. “Am I to learn here? Where are we?”