Page 205 of Brutal Prince

Epilogue

Indi

I’ve been zoning out to the clop-clop of our horses’s hooves. When Briar touches my arm, I gasp and wrench myself away.

We stare at each other for a moment before he breaks into a wide smile. “I’m gonna have to ask for my money back,” he says.

I frown at him.

“They said, and I quote, a ‘relaxing, romantic horseback trail’.”

I let out a rueful chuckle and shrug at him, facing forward again. “I love it.”

“You do?”

“It’s perfect, Briar.” I glance at him, looking away before our eyes can meet. “Although I still don’t know how many palms you had to grease to pull this off.”

“What, school?” He snorts. “We’ve both got B-averages. We’ve both just gone through a traumatic—”

He cuts off, and when he speaks again, there’s no mirth left in his words. “You needed a break.”

“So did you.”

“Yeah, I’m selfish like that, my little virgin.”

I snort this time, and shake my head. “Never grows old, does it?”

He leans over and pokes a finger in my side, making me twist over in my saddle and my horse take a side step as if she thinks she’s next.

“Stop it,” I snap, scowling at him.

“Only if you promise not to be upset.”

My scowl turns into a frown. “Why would I be—?”

His expression turns serious. “Because I lied to you.”

Something wriggles around in my guts, and I wonder briefly if the maggots are back. But I shove that thought away before it can latch on.

“About what?” I say, trying to keep my voice airy.

“I don’t like you, Indi.”

Luckily, my mare is well trained. Even when I stiffen, she just carries on plodding down the forest path at the same pace as before. I, however, almost don’t duck in time to avoid being swept away by a low-hanging branch.

“Um…okay,” I say, forcing a swallow. “And you had to tell me this during a romantic horse ride through the forest?”

“I couldn’t keep living a lie,” he says.

If his tone weren’t so goddamn serious, I’d be convinced this was all part of a foolishly elaborate prank at my expense. He’s never outgrown those, not in the four months we’ve been dating. Maybe he never will.

“Well, I’m glad it’s all out in the open,” I say. “So, should we turn around, or do you still want to have that picnic you promised me?”

“Oh, we’re having the picnic,” he says, sounding almost grumpy. “But don’t think I’m gonna enjoy it.”

“Pity,” I say, lifting my chin. “I was really looking forward to your charming banter while we snacked on some pretzels and warm champagne.”

He chuckles low in his throat. “You thought there’d be champagne?”

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