Page 89 of My Queendom for a Horse

He shakes his head. “Of course you didn’t.” He stands, still holding out the necklace. “I hadn’t planned anything this elaborate either, but Mother noticed you didn’t really have any jewelry on. And I agreed with her that I should do something to change that.”

It should make me giddy with joy. The guy I’ve been dating is giving me something stunning. Something that sends a clear signal that I matter to him.

Only, the way he said that kind of feels. . .judgmental. Like I was found lacking somehow, and they need to fix me up. Also, I was relieved that he didn’t seem to care as much what his parents thought, but his back and forth with them isn’t very reassuring.

“I told Mom I’d go pick something out right away, but it’s Christmas Day, so obviously nothing’s open. Dad actually suggested I use one of his special stones—he’d just had it set like this.”

I’m not sure what to say about that. He brought me a necklace his dad had put in a pendant. . .for his mom?

“Do you like it?” Sean’s still holding it out toward me.

I’m a horrible, rude troll. I grab the box and clutch it against my chest. “I love it,” I say. “But the reason I don’t wear much jewelry is that I’m always outside, getting dirty and muddy. What if I wore it and then I lost it?”

“Do you think you might? Even if you tuck it inside your shirt?” He frowns. “Maybe you should just wear it for special occasions, then. In fact, Mom wanted to see if you could come for dinner again tonight. She’s having a few people over—just extended family, really, and she’d love it if you could come, too.”

“Oh,” I say.

“Preferably without accompaniment, this time.”

And now I feel like I’m being scolded. I didn’t bring Aleks last time. I certainly didn’t want him there. Sean and I should be on the same side, but instead, Aleksandr’s like a wedge between us.

“For sure I’ll come,” I say. “And I won’t bring anyone along, I promise.”

As I say that, I remember with slight surprise that Obsidian hasn’t made a peep in a little too long. I glance over my shoulder, and he’s watching us. Intently. A little too intently.

Sean has no idea Aleksandr’s here, and it feels almost. . .disloyal of me that I haven’t told him. But if I do tell him, I put Aleksandr at risk. I have no idea whom he might tell, or what might snowball from that.

Ugh. Just, ugh.

“I’m really looking forward to spending Christmas Eve with you,” he says. “Like the one we spent together years and years ago.” He smiles. “Do you remember?”

Dad and Gustav had the flu back home, so I had to stay at school. At the last minute, Sean stayed, too. It was probably the nicest few days we shared in the entire time we were together. No one else was around, and he focused entirely on me.

“I do.”

“I love you, Kris.”

I inhale slowly, and as I exhale, I start to lean toward him. At least I can reassure him that I care about him too, and that I’m in this. Sean relaxes as I soften, and I think he’s about to kiss me.

When Obsidian bites his shoulder.

Sean balls up his fist, ready to sock Obsidian on the nose. I wouldn’t blame him at all.

“He’s just a horse, he’s just a horse,” he’s chanting under his breath.

“But he shouldn’t behave like that.” I slap Obsidian Devil’s neck as hard as I can. Unfortunately, I know just how little a slap from me really bothers him.

“I’m going to cast my vote that Aleksandr and the demon here both go.” Sean scowls. “But—this should tell you how much I despise him—sack that trainer first.”

Oh, the irony of him telling me that he wants them both gone.

“Noted,” I say. “But for now, I ought to get him out there and get familiar with the course for tomorrow.”

“Right.” Sean straightens his shoulder and levels his best angry stare at Obsidian. “If you even think about acting around my sweet Kris the way you act around me?” He holds up one finger and points. “I’ll bring a rifle and shoot you in the head. Don’t think I won’t. I’d gladly write her a check for a half million euros to buy your corpse, if I think that’s what it’ll take to keep her safe.”

When I saw the movie Tangled, like all horse people, I kind of hated how they made the white horse into such a humanlike character. Horses have their own personalities—they don’t need to be just like humans. But I swear, Obsidian’s glaring at Sean in the exact same way that white horse glared at the thief guy.

“You better head out before you get bitten again,” I say, and then I pointedly fasten the diamond pendant around my neck right in front of Obsidian. In case he’s not getting the point, I want him to see that Sean and I are fine. I may not have officially called him my boyfriend, and I may not have been able to bring myself to say ‘I love you’ back—yet—but we are doing really well.

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