Page 38 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“No, no. Probably not. And Elena hates the idea of an arranged marriage. Uncle Frederick and Aunt Sophia think all royals have similar thoughts on life, but it’s simply untrue. And Uncle Frederick is quite fond of you, I can tell.”

“Fond of me? I wondered if he was planning ways of ridding himself of me on the ride here.”

Alexander threw his head back with a loud laugh. “No. You, of course, are going to be the subject of intense scrutiny. You wish to marry the man’s only daughter. In addition to being her king consort, you will be responsible for her happiness.”

“I really want to make her happy. I just…feel so under-prepared. All these protocols, and she does everything so seamlessly.”

“We’ve been doing it since we could stand. You’ll grow used to it. And remember, you’ve got friends here who can help.” Alexander gave him a pat on the back.

Nate clung to the words, hoping they were true. “From your lips,” he murmured as they reached the stables.

Several horses already awaited them. Elena hurried to one of them and rubbed its nose. “Oh, Sapphire, I have missed you.”

The horse neighed as she nuzzled closer to it.

“Which one am I riding?” Maddie asked, bouncing on her heels as she eyed the horses.

“Stardust,” Elena answered as she took his sister to a white-gray horse and showed her how to rub the horse’s nose and feed it a sugar cube.

Elena paired them each with a horse. Alexander easilymounted a massive black steed, pulling it around to face Nate as he tried to climb into his saddle. Paired with a horse named Phoenix, he’d wondered how this experience would go.

The horse seemed so much larger than he’d expected. “Just put your left foot into the stirrup, and kick your right over,” Alexander said.

Nate glanced at the others, seeming to easily climb up. Even his mother, with a little assistance from a groom made it.

Nate adjusted his foot in the stirrup and grabbed hold of the pommel, pulling on it as he lifted himself and swung his leg over.

Pleased with himself, he smiled down at the horse, giving it a pat on the head. It was a wrong move. The horse took exception, rearing up.

Nate’s eyes went wide as he struggled to hang on. His heart pounded as the horse’s hooves hit the ground, and he took off running, plunging him into a world of chaos.

The scenery passed by in a blur as the horse galloped at full speed, dragging him to an unknown location.

CHAPTER 9

ELENA

The sudden cry of panic drew Elena’s attention away from Maddie who proudly sat on top of her white steed. Her features crinkled as she snapped her gaze in the direction of the sound.

Her eyes went wide, and her stomach dropped.

Nate had managed to mount his horse, but Phoenix had bolted shortly after, dragging his rider with him.

Elena’s heart raced as she watched Nate struggling to hang on to his horse. Her mind raced with the fear of what could happen if she didn’t reach him in time.

“Oh, no!” Elena shouted as she scurried toward her horse, swinging into the saddle and setting the horse into a fast run with a swift kick.

Alexander already raced after Nate, but she caught him easily. “Can he ride at all?”

“No. He’s never been on a horse before,” she shouted asshe urged more speed from the animal beneath her. “Come on, Sapphire, faster.”

“The ravine is ahead!” Alexander shouted over the wind whistling past her.

“I know,” she answered, her voice brimming with panic. “I must reach him before then. He could be thrown or worse. Phoenix is panicked.”

“I will circle around and try to cut them off at the pass.”

“You’re too slow…but I cannot let him out of my sight.”

---