Page 60 of My Dark Horse Prince

I glance at the window, noting the beautifully sunny weather. “Well.”

He straightens up. “You have an idea.”

“Actually, I’ve been wondering how the windmills are going. Are they all working?”

He whips out his phone and taps some things. An app pops up, and he swivels it around so I can see it. “You can tap on the different ID numbers and each one brings up a new wind turbine. This application will show me the various energy levels generated by each one.”

“And?”

“Aleksandr didn’t exactly set them up optimally, but it’s fine. A few of them could operate more efficiently if we move them around, spacing them out a bit, but they’re all working at more than double the typical levels.” He nods. “Soon, I’ll be a very rich man again. Not like Aleks, but comfortable in a way most people will never fathom.”

“I’m glad,” I say.

“But wait.” He takes his phone back. “What did you want to do with your day? Shopping?”

I open my mouth, but he interrupts.

“Aleks said they got your official replacement passport and a phone that’s linked to your old account. He’s bringing it all at two.”

“Oh, that’s great.”

“We could pick it up earlier, if you need something sooner.”

“We don’t need identification for my idea,” I say. “And it’s probably not a very good idea.”

“Oh?”

“Actually.” My cheeks heat up. “It’s probably a terrible idea.”

“I like the sound of that.” Grigoriy leans back in his chair, just slightly, shifting his legs out and tilting his head. I’ve never met anyone with better bedroom eyes.

“Not like that.” I would kick him, but it would hurt me way more than him. “I was wondering how hard it is for you to shift into a horse.”

“Look, I know I tease you about being pushy, but I’m not actually a threat. You don’t have to shift me into a horse, I promise.”

“No, it’s because I’d like to go for a ride,” I say, my voice coming out much smaller than I intended.

He freezes. “Is that safe?”

“You tell me,” I say.

“Why would you risk it the day before your surgery?” He closes his eyes. “Oh.”

“Kris said that with you, it would be safe. You won’t spook or buck, right?”

“No, but you can’t grip with that leg at all, right?” He sighs. “I’m not sure it’s safe, unless you agree to do nothing but walk.”

“Let’s say I fall,” I say.

He’s quick to argue. “Let’s not say that.”

“I’m not planning to,” I say. “But even if I do, what more damage could it do? The worry before was that I’d dislodge a screw. Already done. Or maybe that I’d loosen a plate. Also, check.”

“Huh. Well.”

“Does that mean you’ll do it?”

I expect him to argue more, but he doesn’t. “It’s your life,” he finally says.

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