Page 13 of Blood and Fate

They had only barely begun to move when the sound of hooves greeted them, and a huge, impeccably groomed white horse came galloping into the yard.

Satori’s stomach rolled over, her throat growing tight with anxiety.

Henrik pulled on the reins of his beast, causing the horse to rear up as he sat confidently in the saddle, his short dark cape brushing across the back of the horse. “Good day to you all. I heard something about a ride and wondered if I might join?”

Behind her, two of the servant girls giggled and whispered as Satori fought the urge to cry. No one would tell him no, even though that’s what she wished. They would all find themselves privileged to share a ride with the Duke.

“Please, your Grace.” Clinton lifted an arm, inviting Henrik to join them. “We would be honored.”

Satori said nothing as she ran a thumb over her palm again and again. How could she enjoy any part of this ride now? How could she concentrate on anything besides his presence? And the chittering of the servant girls was sure to make her even more ill.

Henrik pulled his horse up to hers, so close that their legs brushed. He reached over, laying a hand over where her thumb circled over her palm. Shivers chased up and down her spine.

“I look forward to our ride, Your Highness.”

His touch brought awareness back. Servants surrounded them.

She pulled in a long, steadying breath, lifted her chin, and turned her head to face him. “Of course, your Grace.”

He responded with a half smile, a smug smile, and she had visions of knocking him off his stupid horse and watching it trample him.

“Let’s go, then!” Dimitri shouted, kicking his horse into action.

There was no slow start for their group as they immediately urged their horses into gallops, flying from the stable yard and eventually the castle grounds.

Satori may not have been able to hold her own in any sort of physical situation, but she could ride a horse like any knight. She relished the feel of the powerful beast’s muscles churning beneath her and the wind whipping through her blonde hair.

“We should race to Covington,” Dimitri called out. “In teams!”

“Yes!” Tessa shouted loud enough to be heard over the pounding of the horses’ hooves. “Let’s go see the roses!”

“Come on then, Tess!” Dimitri pointed his chin at Tessa and then jerked it away.

Tess let out a loud laugh as she encouraged her horse to follow

“Servants against the Princess and the Duke!” Clinton called, racing past her, followed by Shiri and Mallory, the last two servant girls.

They rode by, casting undisguised longing looks in Henrik’s direction. Clearly, they would have preferred to be on his team. Satori wished they were, as well.

She slowed Pepper and then stopped completely even as the others were disappearing down the tree-lined road leading from the castle. The trees had begun to change and the red, yellow, and orange leaves covered the path in a gorgeous canopy. Satori barely noticed. Henrik reined in his horse and turned, walking back toward her. He circled behind her before coming even with her and stopping.

“You wouldn’t leave me alone to lose, now would you?”

“I find I’ve lost my desire for riding.” She glared at him. “Good luck without me, your Grace.”

She lifted the reins to turn her horse, but Henrik’s hand shot out, snatching them from her grasp.

“You will not humiliate me, Satori.” The edge in his voice was deadly, and that fear that she hated, that made her feel weak, lodged in her chest. “Come.” The edge was gone, replaced by lightness, as though they were simply good friends out for fun.

He tossed the reins at her and she caught them.

“Hold on.”

It was the only warning he gave her before he leaned over and slapped Pepper hard on the flank. The horse took off beneath her, leaving her grasping for dear life until she got her bearings.

Pepper raced on and Satori considered for a few moments trying to shake Henrik, but his horse was faster, and he kept pace well with her. She couldn’t fathom any other option than to see it through to the end of the race and meet up with the others in Covington.

She kicked lightly at Pepper, encouraging the horse to move faster, but Henrik and his pale devil of a beast kept up easily.

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