Page 151 of The Throne Seeker
“Draya. Draya Santres,” she lied, spitting out the first name that came into her head.
“My name is Felix, Felix Moretti. Now, let’s get you saddled up.”
No saddles,the sleipnir said. He must have felt her mortification because he added,Trust me.
“Thank you, but I’ll ride bareback,” she said, pretending to have all the confidence in the world.
Moretti’s brows raised, questioning her judgment yet again, but for some reason, he let her put herself in danger. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Ms. Santres.” His voice was laced with warning.
“Oh, don’t worry… I’m an excellent rider,” she drawled with a smirk, knowing the insinuation would drive him wild.
Moretti’s lips slipped into a serpentine smile, his colleagues practically drooling behind him. “As you wish,” he agreed with a light nod. “I’ll go tell the supervisors the good news. The race starts in fifteen minutes.” He leaned in closer again, lowering his voice to a whisper. “I’d wish you good luck, but I’d be lyingto both of us,” he confessed huskily into her ear, pulling back to look her dead in the eye before leaving.
Panic attacked her as she watched him strut away. Shit. What had she just agreed to?
I won’t let anything happen to you,the sleipnir’s calming voice rang through her mind.
She gazed up at the terrifying beast.I’m putting my trust in you. I know nothing of these races.
We’ll win,he willed in confidence.
Rose wished she was so sure. She peered down at her dress, now more than ever regretting her outfit choice. Her legs would be rubbed raw. She needed to find different clothing.
Stay in that,the sleipnir recommended.It’s light, and it’s better your legs are bare. They’ll hold better to my body.
Rose couldn’t hide her skepticism.How can that be?
Come closer and feel,the sleipnir invited.
She opened up the gate, feeling remarkably small next to the giant beast. Her bare hands glided over its soft hair, although they weren’tglidingat all. As soon as she tried, her hand refused to move. It was as if the fibers of its hair somehow became magnetic.
Incredible,she said, astounded.Why don’t the other racers do this?
We won’t let them touch us bare. This alone will give us an advantage,the sleipnir boasted with pride.
She peered at the other sleipnir handlers and riders, each of whom wore gloves.
“Rose,” a harsh voice called.
She whirled, finding Roman’s hooded figure staring at her back. “What the hell are you doing?” His eyes flickered anxiously to the sleipnir.
She looked around before pulling him into the stall.
He stiffened, eyeing the sleipnir with hesitation, but the creature was the least of their worries.
“It’s okay, he won’t hurt us. Listen, I’ve agreed to be a rider.”
Roman’s honed body became deathly still as his eyes darkened into a shade deeper than the beast beside her. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“You’re going to have to trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
Lies, and he knew it.
In slow, dangerous movements, he stalked toward her, herding her into the corner of the stall. He lifted his hands on either side of her head as he leaned in, leaving her breaths uneven. “I thought the plan was to get Moretti’s attention. Not a death wish.”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing. This will get his attention far more than any amount of flirting. We made a deal: if I lose—which is highly likely—I’ll have to go home with him.”
Roman’s mouth twisted into a snarl. “I don’t want yousleepingwith him,” he hissed.
