Page 75 of The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior

“I would just sound conceited if I told you I can ride well.”

Brannal laughed. “How about I go and get my horse saddled, and you take a look around. I wouldn’t want to influence your choice.”

Perian laughed. “Thank you.”

He roamed, looking in each stall so he could get an idea of the horse, and they could get an idea of him. The Queen kept beautiful horses; Perian could see at a glance there was a variety, both in breed and temperament. Some looked as though they were just raring to go, some looked entirely easy-going, and some looked very middle of the road. Perian was leaning towards feisty, especially now that he felt he had something to prove to Brannal, but he hadn’t quite settled on which horse when he made it all the way to the end of the stable.

There were a few empty stalls that were entirely cleaned out and then at the very end by the wall, there was a final stall occupied by an absolutely magnificent stallion. One shake of his majestic head and mane told Perian he was a handful. He looked to be nearly 16 hands and pure black except for a blaze across his forehead right between his eyes. He was truly lovely.

Perian stepped up to the stall carefully. This was definitely an animal who would not hesitate to stomp you if he didn’t like you.

“Hello,” he greeted. “I’m Perian. You are absolutely magnificent.”

The horse turned his head toward Perian. He continued to stand there, letting the horse get used to his scent. The horse stomped around and huffed at him, but his ears were pricked forward.

Perian smiled at him. “Oh, you look like you would like to gallop forever.” He carefully held out his hand palm down. “I’m sorry I didn’t think to bring anything for you to eat. But do you think that you might like to gallop with me?”

By the time Brannal found him, Perian was running his fingers over the horse’s shiny coat, petting his neck, and running his fingers through his mane.

“Oh, you’re just so handsome,” Perian was telling him.

“Whatare you doing?” Brannal asked sharply.

The horse let out an angry huff of breath, stomped, and bared his teeth. Perian clucked at him, soothing him with a soft touch.

“It’s all right,” he told the horse. “Brannal is just being a bit annoying.” He turned and made a face at Brannal. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making friends.”

Brannal just stared at him for a very long moment, and Perian wasn’t sure what was going on, since this was really very standard before riding a new horse, surely.

And then Brannal said quietly, “That was the Prince’s horse. He’s not allowed anyone near him since the Prince died.”

Perian froze.

The horse nudged into his hand with enough force that Perian was jostled.

“Oh,” Perian said a little bit blankly. “That… doesn’t seem to be the case for me?”

“Apparently not,” Brannal agreed, his expression a bit wry. “I’m not sure how it would be perceived if you tried to take him for a ride, however.”

“Oh,” Perian said, unaccountably disappointed. “No, of course, that makes sense.”

Perian could only imagine the reports going back to the Queen or Renny.

Reluctantly, Perian pulled his hand back.

“It seems I’m not allowed to ride with you today. Perhaps another day?” he suggested, stepping away.

This did not go over well. At all. The horse reared up, front legs striking out. He snorted, his ears pricked back, and put up such a fuss that a whole group of stable hands came running.

“What did you have to go and do that for?” one of the stable hands demanded, not looking like he wanted to get anywhere near the snorting and rearing horse.

Perian leaped forward and reached for the horse’s head.

“Hey, hey, hey,” he said soothingly. “Calm down, it’s all right, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

And the horse quieted immediately, sighing and leaning into Perian’s hand as though he hadn’t just been making a huge fuss and bother.

“Wow,” he said. “You’re a bit overdramatic, aren’t you?”

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