Page 49 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“One would think you would appreciate such an advantage since you lost our last race, dear husband,” Grace replied competitively, going around him, so she could go into the horse’s stall. As she opened the door and let herself in, the horse whinnied happily and dipped her head toward her as if asking her to put on the bridle and reins.

“You are magnificent, aren’t you?” Grace cooed, adjusting the straps. “So smooth and dark and strong. I believe I shall call you Black Honey. It’s quite fitting, don’t you think?”

As if in agreement, the horse whinnied again and caressed her muzzle against Grace’s neck.

“You see?” Grace asked confidently, leading Black Honey out of the stall. “She believes she is ready too.”

Nathaniel looked at her with wary eyes, and she could tell he was caught in a battle between giving her what she wanted and doing what he thought was best. He had done so well lately, giving a little bit of control to her to ease his burden. But this, he seemed to struggle with.

“All will be well, husband,” she promised, laying her hand on his chest. She reached up on her toes and gave him a warm kiss on his lips.

“You must trust me.” she urged gently.

Nathaniel looked at her with a pained expression for a moment then sighed. He kissed her lips again then tilted her head down so he could kiss her forehead.

“Very well, Grace,” he finally agreed. “We shall do things your way. Finish getting her saddled. I shall go ready Windrunner.”

* * *

“Well?” Nathaniel asked, grinning from ear to ear as he watched Grace ride in a circle around him and Windrunner. “How does the beast fare?”

“She is fantastic!” Grace laughed, reaching down to stroke Black Honey’s mane. “Come, let us stretch her legs; let her show us what she can do.”

“Let’s ride on together a little more first,” Nathaniel insisted, feeling an odd jerk in his stomach. He wanted Grace close in case anything went wrong with the new steed, but it was clear his wife wanted the exact opposite.

“Oh, come now, Mr. Sourface, let us have a little fun!” Grace teased, kicking Black Honey into a run. The horse whinnied and rose up on her hind feet before bolting forward several dozen yards. For a moment, Nathaniel almost chuckled, but then, for seemingly no reason, the horse came to a sudden stop then bucked.

“No!” Nathaniel roared, his heart freezing in his chest as he saw Grace fly from her horse. He kicked Windrunner harder, pushing the beast to go faster as Grace’s Black Honey roared up on her back feet then took off running back toward the stables.

Windrunner closed the space between them quickly, and as the steed slowed down, Nathaniel jumped off its back to race toward his fallen wife. They hadn’t even made it to where they were going to race yet. Grace had just been having fun, darting this way and that in front of Nathaniel. Her happiness had been contagious, and he couldn’t help but smile and laugh as he watched her bond with her new horse. But then, as they approached the edge of the forest, a few squirrels had shot out from the brush, scaring Black Honey.

The beast had jumped, all fours going into the air in its fright and had rolled to its side. Grace had managed to stay on its back, holding the reins tightly as the horse was spooked. But then, when she began to buck violently, Grace couldn’t keep her grip, and she had gone sailing through the air, landing in the grass with a sickening thump.

“Grace, Grace,” Nathaniel panted, sliding onto the ground on his knees as he came up to her. “Wake up, darling; wake up,” he urged, gathering her limp body into his arms. His stomach revolted as he turned her over, almost making him get sick in the grass. There was blood trickling from her nose and mouth, and when he pressed his hand against the back of her head, he felt a warm dampness pool in his palm.

“No, no, no, not again,” he choked, pressing his ear to her chest. Beneath the fabric of her dress, he could hear a faint, staggering heartbeat, and he took a small breath of relief. She was still clinging to life. His fearless little fighter was still hanging on.

From his boot, he pulled out a knife and sliced open the front of her gown. With one quick grip of his fist, he ripped the strings of her corset free, and he heard her take her first deep gasp of breath. He flung the binding cloth from her body then gently pulled the dress back in place to cover her.

“Stay with me, Grace,” he begged, his voice trembling as he lifted her up into his arms. “I’ve got you, my love.”

A small whimper of pain left Grace’s lips as he rose, and for a moment, her eyes fluttered open.

“Yes, that’s right, sweetheart, open your eyes for me,” he begged, carrying her to his horse. “Come now.”

But instead of rousing, Grace let out another whimper of pain, and her eyes rolled back and closed before she once more lolled back against his arm. Though they hadn’t appeared in weeks, Nathaniel’s symptoms suddenly started to surge through his body, stealing his breath.

“No,” he said to himself through gritted teeth, “not again. I will not let you take me again.”

With all his might, he pushed his physical ailments away and worked to get Grace balanced atop Windrunner. His faithful horse, seemingly understanding what was happening, suddenly folded his legs beneath himself, allowing Nathaniel to climb on with Grace with ease. When he was seated, Windrunner got on his feet again and began taking them toward the barn.

“You’re going to be all right, Grace,” Nathaniel whispered, holding her close as Windrunner took them home. “Just hold on for me.”

He looked down at her, seeing bruising already starting to form around her eyes, and he felt as if a knife was just thrust into his stomach. Images of his mother in his arms came flashing back as if it were yesterday, and he felt a sob well in his chest.

“Hold on for me, Grace,” he begged. “Just hold on.”

Nathaniel raced to the stables, calling out for help as soon as the building came into view. Immediately, two stable boys came running out, and he quickly sent one off to fetch the physician in town.

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