Page 80 of The Sword and the Damsel

“Your very own charger, my love. The knight I bought him from was very tardy handing him over, but fortunately, he came through.”

“Ventus,” Alais cooed, “we are going to be great friends.”

Ventus eagerly devoured the apple and nudged Alais’s hand for more. Alais laughed. “He’s absolutely beautiful. You’re right. This is better than silks and jewels.”

She pulled Victor toward her by the collar and brushed her lips against his. He responded immediately, moaning against her lips, and running his hands up her back. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and she opened to him. Familiar warmth rippled through her body and pooled in her center. He pressed her up against the side of the stall and deepened his kiss as she raked her nails down his back.

“Keep this up, and I may pounce on you in the hay,” Victor said when she finally released him.

“I like the sound of that, but first…” She drew a finger along his jaw, down his neck, and then down his front. “We race.”

Victor smiled broadly. “I thought you’d say that.”

He turned. “William,” he yelled, “come saddle Ventus and Socorro. Lady Alais and I are going for a ride.”

Soon the horses were ready, and Victor stood beside Ventus, offering his hands to help her up. As she straightened her leg, he took a playful nip at her bottom, which was level with his face. “Victor,” she admonished, but William was looking the other way.

“Tonight, I’m going to make you my Christmas feast,” he said in a low voice only she could hear. The prickling warmth of a blush spread across her face.

“If you aren’t too full of pudding,” she teased, enjoying the view as he turned toward Socorro and mounted. Good Lord, the man had lovely legs.

Soon they were wending their way down Castle Street, picking their way carefully along the icy cobblestones. They passed pilgrims fresh glowing with zeal from Christmas mass, townsfolk in their holiday best, and mummers acting out the Christmas story.

As they turned on Fish Street by the docks, it was quiet for once, the raucous noise quelled temporarily for the holiday. Riding out through the eastern gate, they wended their way down to the beach.

“No Dora to chaperone us this time,” Victor said.

Alais laughed. “I almost wish we’d brought her for old time’s sake.”

“You torture that poor woman enough without bringing her out on a freezing winter’s day.”

“Too true. I hope she’s up at the castle sipping a tisane and eating pastries.”

Ventus pawed restlessly at the sand.

“Patience, Ventus,” she said, petting his neck. “You’ll get to run all you want in just a moment. Are you ready?”

Socorro glared at her as though she’d insulted his pride.

“Do you know… I think Socorro might be jealous?” Victor asked.

“Oh, Socorro. You’ll always be my sweet boy.”

Socorro tossed his head and looked away.

“I told you she’d break your heart, my friend. Let’s win this race so you can regain your pride.”

“Ready…Go!”

Alais tore along the beach on Ventus’s back, not even bothering to check where her opponent was. This was how it must feel to fly, she thought as she and her steed floated down the beach, the wind tearing at her hair. She couldn’t contain her joy and yelped with glee.

When she passed the rock at the end of the beach, she didn’t stop. She wheeled around and charged back. Only after completing the full loop did she rein in Ventus and come to a halt.

Victor arrived on Socorro moments later.

“I won,” she crowed.

He laughed. “You cheated. You didn’t tell me we were racing there and back. I thought we were stopping at the rock.”

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