Page 42 of My Queendom for a Horse

He’s never mentioned when I had a message before.

I haven’t even seen the name on the screen, but I know it’s from Sean.

DATE TOMORROW? I HAVE TO HEAD HOME FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT.

I snatch the phone from the rough-hewn desk we’ve cleared off in the corner of the living space above the barn. SURE.

“I’ll bring you some books in the morning,” I say. “I’m going to need my phone tomorrow night.”

“That man isn’t trustworthy,” Aleks says.

I roll my eyes. “As if you’re any better, Mr. Destroy Them.”

“I am.” He frowns. “In every way. I haven’t run away, although I could at any point in my human form. I’m here, learning about the world slowly on your terms, and masquerading as your pet, just as we agreed I would.” His expression is pretty sour, but I guess I don’t blame him. “All so that you can repay the bank before you lose your collateral.”

“But you don’t have your powers back, and you have to figure out exactly what happened before you head out to confront your enemies,” I say. “So it’s not like I’m really in your way.”

Reminding him of all the things he doesn’t know only worsens his mood. He’s practically scowling at me when he says, “I should come along when you go to dinner.”

I can’t help my barking laugh—it’s not ladylike at all. “Thanks for the offer, but absolutely not.”

He arches one eyebrow, and I can totally see him as an imperious lord, used to always getting his way. “I will come along.”

I shake my head slowly. Words alone don’t seem to be doing the trick. “You will not.”

He folds his arms and glares. “You may be the key to reversing the curse and regaining my magic. Your safety is my top priority currently, other than information gathering. I will accompany you until I’m positive this idiot can keep you safe.”

I laugh again, but this time it’s less aggressive, thankfully. “As if you could keep me safe. You don’t even know how to call 911. I think I’ll take my chances on my billionaire ex who owns a bank.”

“Billionaire?” I can tell he’s filing the word away to research. “He looks weak. Whether he owns a bank or not, I doubt he could prevent any attackers from harming you.”

“Oh, for the love.” I point at the barn stall. “You will wait here while I go on my date—this date, and any other that I set up. I’m quite capable of defending myself, and—”

He moves so fast, I’m utterly shocked when he leaps up and approaches me. His leg sweeps under mine, and his arms catch me before I hit the floor. “You were saying?”

I kick my feet back under me and shove him, hard. “I mistakenly assumed you weren’t a threat.” I drag a hand through my hair, pulling it away from my eyes. “I won’t do that again.” He’s not the only one who can glare. “But try that again, buster, and you’ll wind up with a black eye and sore balls.”

“Sore. . . What?”

“Never mind.”

He reaches for me again, and I’m ready. I wasn’t lying. The second his hand touches my skin, I say, “I wish you were a horse.”

I can’t help my smirk as he rips through the clothing that looked so nice on him, and a huge black stallion takes form in front of me.

I hadn’t thought about the fact that we were standing on the second floor—in my rather old and shoddily built barn apartment.

The floorboards creak as he shifts.

I press my hand to his flank and practically shout, “I wish you were a man.”

And then in a blink, a very large, very naked, very angry man is standing next to me. “Are you trying to kill us both? Or just destroy this ramshackle excuse for a barn?”

I’m not sure whether I’m trembling because he’s so very naked, and so very beautiful, and he smells so very intoxicating, or whether it’s because I’m relieved that we didn’t both crash into the horse stall below. It would not have been a fun trip to take.

“I’m sorry. I clearly wasn’t thinking.”

“Now I really need to come with you,” he says.

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