Now I wonder if he kept me close only to kill me.
“Let me show you how to ride,” he teases. “Take out your anger on me. Show me what you got, Spark.”
With narrow slits, I glance over my shoulder towards him, glaring him up and down as I swallow the rage that sits like a damn boulder inside my throat.
“I think you’ve shown me enough,” I snarl.
He licks the bottom of his lip as he lets out a breathy laugh. His boots kick up the rust dirt as he walks in a circle around me and whispers in my ear, “I think I am just getting started.”
A shiver runs down my spine, sharply, almost knocking the air out of me. My chin lifts high as my eyes stay locked on his movements.
He pauses right in front of me, his hands collapsed behind his back before cocking his head to the side, showing the slight markings on his neck.
“So, what do you say, Spark?” he whispers. “Wanna learn the tricks up my sleeve when it comes to the horses? Or, do you want Florian who has never ridden another besides the Iycekazie? I’m pretty good with my hands if you let me show you. I’ve had plenty of practice.”
A brow of mine raises as I watch his lips play between his teeth.
“Are we talking about training with the horses? Or something else?” I say sarcastically.
I hear Florian cackling under his breath as Koen’s eyes roll towards him.
He leans closer to me, his eyes dropping to my lips. “What do you want to be talking about?”
My eyes roll, pushing his chest away from me as he stumbles backwards, laughing under his breath.
He is maddening. My fingernails dig into my sweaty palms.
I catch sight of Florian’s shoulders raising and falling with Koen’s words. “He isn’t wrong. He has worked with the horses for years, learning their ways since being here in Eekatia.” The sounds of high heels clicking against rocks echo in the pit, and I can hear a woman clearing her voice.
Koen scuffs. “Seems as if Skie needs you anyways for a bit?” His brows raise, nodding his head for Florian to leave.
Florian grips my shoulder gently. “I’ll be back in a bit. Don’t kill him while I’m gone, even if everything inside you wants to.” His lips form a soft smile as he walks towards Skie, who waits for him at the entrance.
My eyes follow him until broad arms collide with my body, taking the air out of me and wrapping me tightly. A leg kicks against mine, sweeping me off of the ground and I fall backwards. My back slams into Koen’s arms, his body hovering over me with a cocky grin spread across his face, and my lip rises with the sight of it.
“You let your guard down.” He leans closer, his nose inches away from mine. “Rule number one, always stay ready. The horses are faster than anything you have ever seen.”
My hands shove against his solid chest, pushing him off of me as I dust off my suit.
“Damn, Koen,” I snarl. My chest is rising and falling. “Are you trying to kill me?”
I tease. Yet, inside me, I'm truly curious if he will one day try.
“Dagger. Now,” he barks, ignoring my question. His eyes fall to my thighs, where the few daggers I have today are.
“Why do I need a damn dagger?” I snarl. “We are riding a horse, not fighting them!”
His lips pull into a slight grin before his teeth dig into his bottom lip and he takes a violent stride to hover over me. “What happens if the horse decides to wield its powers from the Gods to kill you?”
My heart seizes.
“They can wield from the Gods?” My voice cracks.
He leans closer, and I can feel his warm breath as he growls, “You are dead out there if you don’t understand how ruthless the horses can be.”
My throat tightens as I stare into his emerald eyes. The worddeathreplays in my mind like a broken record. I replay the conversation he had with that woman repeatedly.I can’t trust him.
I must not ever trust him.
