Page 43 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

I peek at the creature’s crystalline blue eyes again, trying to determine whether she truly wants to kill me, or if my imagination is running wild. When she paws at the dirt floor, I’m not so sure.

“What’s she doing?”

“She’s restless. Time to move onto her stall.” He gestures to the wheelbarrow beside me. “I’ll move each alicorn out into the aisle while you muck out their stalls. Shouldn’t take too long.”

I flash him what I hope is a grateful smile, but I’m pretty certain I just come across as nervous. “Okay.”

When I’ve cleaned so many stalls my arms and back feel disconnected from my body, Thorne saunters up. “Let’s keep moving. We don’t have all day.”

Suspicion roots in my chest. “Are you sure this isn’t punishment?”

“Of course, I’m sure.” He smirks. “Though I’m not denying the entertainment value of watching a pampered princess wade through alicorn shit.”

What the hells? “Sounds an awful lot like punishment to me. And I’mnota princess.”

He shrugs and inspects his nails like he’s bored. “Princess…duchess. Whatever.”

My blood heats, and I have a strong urge to kick him in the shin. I’m slaving the morning away and this cocky bastard is enjoying the show.

At least one of us is having a good time.

I take a deep breath. “I’m not a duchess either.”

“Close enough. Finish up this one,” he motions around the stall, “and meet me outside.”

As he strolls off, I tighten my grip on the pitchfork. What I wouldn’t give to introduce the pointed end to his arrogant ass.

A few minutes later, after I’ve mucked my last stall, I head out of the stable.

Thorne leads a saddled Zephyr toward me. My breath hitches. I willnothave a repeat of yesterday.

I inhale slowly, hold my breath, and exhale. “Isn’t our time almost up?”

“Lucky for you, despite your lack of punctuality, we’ve got about fifteen minutes left.” He crooks a finger. “Come over here.”

Obeying, I approach with caution, so irritated I don’t realize what he’s doing at first. Much like yesterday, Thorne grabs my waist and deposits me onto Zephyr’s back.

My heart drums in my ears, and that all too familiar panic threatens to pull me under. I grab for Zephyr’s mane, holding on for dear life.

“Breathe, Duchess. Just relax. Nothing’s going to happen. I’ve got the reins.”

For some unknown reason, I believe him, just like I did last night when he told me to let go. At least when it comes to alicorns, I feel safe with him. And that’s a thought I don’t currently have the capacity to analyze.

Loosening my grip, I glance at Thorne. “Okay. This isn’t so bad.”

“You’ll be ready to fly with your class in no time.”

I snort. Someone’s feeling optimistic this morning. There’s a major difference between sitting on an alicorn and flying on one, but I don’t want to argue. Not when he’s trying so hard to encourage me. “You think so?”

“Absolutely. Relaxing is the key. You can’t be uptight and hyperventilating when you ride. Passing out in the air wouldn’t end well.”

I cringe at the image, reminding myself to keep taking deep, slow breaths. “That’s a visual I didn’t need.”

“Ready to dismount?” When I nod, he reaches for me, splaying his hands around my waist and lifting me from the alicorn. Even after my boots touch the ground, he continues holding me against him for a few moments, searching my face. “You okay?”

His warm, solid body, along with the scent of leather and soap, envelops me. I never thought something so simple could smell so good, but it’s intoxicating.

“Yes.” I wobble a little when he releases me, but this time, I don’t collapse. “I feel fine.”

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