“Be honest,” he said. He craned forward, bracing himself against the doorway and making a decisive, sharp click with his tongue. “You want to go riding; I know you do. I saw that look in your eye when you were stealing my horse.”
“I was not stealing your horse,” I said. “I–”
“I think you want me to beg you,” he said. I swallowed. “But unfortunately for you, I’m a lot of things, but a beggar? I’m not that kind of man.”
“I—” I was stunned and shook my head. “No! Of course, I do not want you to beg me; I’m just upset thatSamwon’t go with me.”
Cyrus’s eyes were on my lips. I felt strange for it.
“Mr. Evergreen,” I tried. “He loves her, doesn’t he?” I asked.
The question broke the spell, and his expression grew serious. “Come ride with me,” he said. “Let me take your mind off Sameer. I’m good at these things.”
“But I–”
“It will make the Prince happy, and it will give me someone to talk to. I promise I’ll behave; I’m hardly a scoundrel these days.”
“...I don’t know if you’re joking,” I said. “Are you a scoundrel?”
“Most of what I say is a joke, ma’am,” he said. He stood and barely bowed. “Alright. I concede. I’m in the stables until noon today if you change your mind. I wish you a fair afternoon in whatever it is you’ll do.”
Cyrus turned to walk away, and for some cause, I called, “Wait!” after him.
He did. He turned on his shoe slowly.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Will you really, um, will you let me break Isaac with you?” I asked.
“Today?” he said. “No. But in time? Yes.”
“I’ve never broken a horse,” I said.
“I know.”
“Does one not need experience with these pursuits?”
“Not really. Not with a proper teacher. She’s wild, though. She needs exposure to warm to you and all. The rides are a perfect way to start.”
“But youwillallow me to be a part of her taming?” I asked. “If I agree to this? This…This riding companionship arrangement? Sam said you would let me help you break her.”
He gave it some thought.
“I waspromisedyou would!” I said. “I’m not going if you say no!”
Cyrus stared intently at me. I didn’t know where to look, so I looked at my hand. The mark had faded.
“Yes,” he said calmly. “I said yes already; you need to clean your ears.”
“I just want to hear it,” I said. “I am nervous. This is not an…an opportunity I would face back home. I…Will you not say it again for me, please?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will make you a part of Ice’s breaking…if you agree to ride with me.”
I looked up.
Mr. Evergreen’s eyes were a devilish shade. His lashes were long, and his mouth was captivating in its impish arc. I could feel my heart pounding within its cage.
“And do youpromise?”I asked. “Do you give me your word as a man?”
