Page 21 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

All around me, riders scramble to comply. Within seconds, alicorns start launching into the sky.

Pivoting back to me, Thorne levels me with his steely gaze. “I need to assess your skill level.”

Is he joking? “You want to assess my skill after all that?” I circle my hand to encompass the location of the alicorn showdown, avoiding looking at the blood seeping into the dirt.

His glare tells me that’s a stupid question. “Do you have any previous experience on alicorns?”

Sure do, if falling off one and almost dying at the age of four counts. “No.” My pulse finally starts to level out.

“How much experience do you have riding horses?”

I shuffle my feet. “A bit, but not much.”

None, if it were up to my mother. On those rare occasions when she used to allow me to leave the castle, she kept me tucked away in the carriage. When I turned sixteen, I bribed the old stablemaster to teach me the basics. But I only ever get a chance to ride when I sneak out at night.

Thorne glowers at me as if my mere existence offends him. “What the fuck kind of noble doesn’t have much experience riding a horse? You’d better hope you’re a fast learner.” With a heated glare, he rakes his fingers through his black hair, cursing when they snag on the leather cord tying it back. His other hand thrusts the reins at me. “This is Zephyr. Go ahead and mount him.”

Mount him. Just climb onto that giant beast’s back and let him propel me into the sky. While I’m sure more horrifying activities exist in this world, right now, I’m drawing a blank.

My mouth goes dry as I peer into the expressive eyes of the powerful animal before me. An unblinking Zephyr gazes back at me, as if taking my measure. Sweat beads on my brow, and despite my best effort, the hand I raise to wipe it off trembles. The alicorn’s dark eyes track the motion. He huffs, pawing the dirt with one giant hoof before turning his head away like he comprehends my show of fear and finds the emotion display annoying.

“Today, Duchess.”

Or maybe that’s my own irritation I’m sensing. My skin prickles, and I draw in a shaky breath, steeling my resolve. I take a tentative step forward. And then another.

Strong arms snake around my waist and hoist me into the saddle. “My grandmother is faster than that.”

I go rigid, white knuckling the reins as Thorne continues his tirade. But I don’t hear him. Blood pounds in my ears as fear skitters down my spine like thousands of tiny spiders.

I’m sitting. On a godsdamned alicorn. After watching another gore the ever-loving snot out of a student’s leg.

I can’t think. I can’t move.

Thorne’s hand lands on my knee, jolting me to my senses. “Breathe.”

With jagged gasps, I attempt to comply, but I can’t suck enough air into my lungs. Panic seizes my chest, and cold sweat breaks out across my forehead. My limbs start to tingle.

“Please.” With my free hand, I clutch at my throat, trying to catch my breath. “I think…I think I’m…” My head lolls, and the edge of my vision blurs.

“For fuck’s sake.” Thorne grabs me again, hauling me off Zephyr. He mutters something as he sets me on the ground like I weigh next to nothing, but I can’t make out the words.

My grip on the reins loosens, and my knees buckle. Arms flailing, I collapse on all fours, shaking.

“What are you doing?”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. The ground starts to spin.

No. Please, no.

My vision fades as my head hits the grass.

Fingers press against my neck, and my eyes flutter open.

Crouched next to me, Thorne checks my pulse.

Dazed, my gaze travels over his magnificent features. I gulp when my eyes land on that sinful mouth.

He quirks a single brow. “Memorizing my face so you can sketch it later?”

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