Page 40 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“It was your first time on a horse, Nathan. You’ll learn.”

He eyed the horse as though he wished to never see one again.

“Or not if you prefer not to ride.”

“All of the royals ride, don’t they?”

“Yes. It is quite a popular pastime amongst us. But there is no need for you to learn if you’re not keen on it.”

Alexander appeared again, this time leading Sapphire back with him.

“Oh good,” Elena said as he approached, “you found her.”

She crossed to her horse and patted her nose. “Excellent job, Sapphire. You did very well.”

“And how are you?” Alexander asked Nate. “I’ve never known Phoenix to be so spirited.”

“Neither have I,” Elena said with a shake of her head. “I specifically asked for our older, calmer horses for all of the Kingsleys for this specific reason.”

“What could have caused the alarm?” Alexander pondered.

Elena shifted her gaze back toward the stables in the distance. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t done on purpose.”

“On purpose?”Nate asked.

“I don’t trust Isabelle or Julian.”

“He could have been killed!” Alexander exclaimed.

Elena flicked her eyebrows up. “Yes, I know. But those two don’t seem to care.”

Alexander heaved a sigh as he shook his head. “I hope they will stop this nonsense if they were the ones to cause it. Shall we head back?”

“Yes,” Elena answered with a nod. “We’ll walk our horses back–“

Nate squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I can try again.”

“There’s the spirit, old chap. Get right back on the horse,” Alexander said with a grin.

“Are you certain?”

Nate offered a tentative grin. “I know Maddie really wants to ride. She’ll kill me if I ruin this for her.”

“Here’s the key, mate,” Alexander said. “Grab a firm hold of the reins, and squeeze with your knees. The horse must know you are in control.”

Nate bobbed his head, his nerves apparent.

“I’ll hold him steady until you are ready to try,” Elena added.

Nate blew out a long breath, grabbing hold of the pommel before he vaulted onto the horse.

“There you go. First try this time. Good work. Now, grab hold of the reins like so…” Alexander demonstrated with his own grip. “Tight, but not strained, you see?”

Elena slid them over the horse’s head and handed them off to Nate. He grabbed hold of them, his knuckles white.

She crossed to her own steed and climbed into the saddle before she guided the horse toward Phoenix. “We’ll set an easy pace. Phoenix should follow our horses easily. He’s not a lead pony.”

Nate shot her a nervous glance the moment she set herhorse into motion. This time Phoenix refused to move at all. She chuckled as she rode back toward them.

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