Page 11 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

“Yes, please.”

I place my hand in the stirrups on the other side and pull down as she pushes off the ground, helping her jump up in one quick move.

She settles on Marlow’s back and her right leg kicks out as she searches for the stirrup with the toe of her boot. She doesn’t notice that it’s flattened against the saddle.

I grab her leg by the back of her ankle, startling her again in the process. She looks down at me from her position and watches wordlessly as I cup her heel andpush her foot through the loop.

Instead of releasing her when I’m done, I keep my hold on her leg for a moment longer, running my hand up to her calf and squeezing it. She shudders, her eyes widening as she looks down at where I’m touching her.

“Be careful out there, wild girl.” I tell her, pinching her calf and drawing a yelp out of her, “I’m the only one who gets to hurt you. No one and nothing else.”

She pulls on the reins, getting Marlow to back up and turn out of the stables as she guides her towards my house.

“I told you you were trouble, Phoenix.”

I run to catch up with her. “Everyone needs the devil on their shoulder. That’s me.” I say, jogging to keep up with Marlow’s pace.

“Not necessarily. My dad says I’m very obedient, maybe I’m good with just the angel.” She crows proudly while my mood darkens. “Maybe I don’t need the devil at all.”

I know she isn’t talking about Astor specifically, that she isn’t choosing him over me, and yet that’s what it feels like. That, faced with the choice between him or me, she might not even consider me at all.

“That sounds like a boring life.” I say, my tone surly as I start to walk away. I don’t get far before she calls after me.

“Phoenix, wait!”

I take my time turning back around, knowing it’ll make her anxious. After months spent together almost every minute of the day, I know her like I know myself now, and I know that the thing she hates above all else is hurting someone else’s feelings, especially by accident.

When I finally do look at her, she’s got an anguished look on her face and she’s chewing on one of her nail beds.

“Don’t be upset.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“No, I’m not.”

She levels me with an unimpressed look. “Nix.”

I mimic the same look, giving it back to her with just as much attitude. “Six.”

She blows out a breath, but I see the hint of a smile pulling at the corner of her lips. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m impossibleandtrouble? Anything else?” I ask as I’m drawn back in by her. I walk back up to Marlow and stroke her neck, my arm brushing against Six’s leg as I do so.

“Bossy.”

“Yup.”

“Annoying.”

“Mhmm.”

“Funny.”

“Definitely.”

“Thrilling.”

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