“It's the middle of the night, Princess.”
“So what?”
“I would at least wait until sunrise. Out of courtesy for the Prince.”
“You think you’re rather clever, don’t you?” I asked.
“I am, yes,” he said.
“What, with your?—”
“When do you startnottalking to me?” he asked.
“What?”
He trotted past me and out the door. When I caught up, he asked, “Have you had much time to explore the grounds? Or would you prefer I take the lead?”
“I…” I watched him navigate seamlessly around the yard. Edith was happy, despite the hour. “You forge our path. If you are willing.”
“Oh, I’m willing, Princess,” he said. “Do you prefer something scenic or something brutal, perhaps?”
“Brutal?”
“Yes. To shake you from your thoughts. Keep you focused on the task at hand. That’s the point, yes?”
“The task at hand?” I asked. “What task?”
“Not falling off your horse while I win,” he said.“Yeah!”
With that, he struck the reins against Edith’s neck and gave her a kick, sending her into a gallop.
Stunned at first, I laughed.
Dumbly.
I sat stupidly on my horse, and when I realized that Evergreen was very far ahead, my competitive side awoke.
I didn’t want to lose, not to Cyrus Evergreen; I’d never live it down. So I steeled myself, mirroring his actions, and then I chased him into the flickering starlight of the night.
Chapter 14
By the time I caught him and his steed, Mr. Evergreen had delivered us to an open field. The blades of grass were profoundly emerald, embroidered with hues of blue and white that held the crescent moon and heavens.
I was wasted; my breathing was difficult as Tails slowed to a stop near Edith. A calvary of large-based oak trees surrounded us, spitting from the heavy mist and fog.
There were also roses. I smiled as they came into view. Although sparse, they decorated the grass like the ones back home.
Cyrus left his horse. He held his hand out for mine.
“Let’s let them rest for a moment. You think?” he asked.
I barely caught the hint of his elation; he was masking his uneven breath. His chest was taught beneath his linen shirt, and the truth that I had noticed his micro-movements made me feelconflictedabout being alone with him at night, both of us gasping to fill the air.
Still, I took the offer to dismount with his assistance and tried to do so with a measured amount of grace. Instead, I undercalculated the horrid weight of my gown. Its bell swungitself from him and meforward, resulting in a downright hurling mess.
I fell on top of Mr. Evergreen, and as soon as he was flat and laid out in the field, I dug my glove into the dirt to keep frombosominghis face. His hands had caught me at my hips.
I scrambled to find my feet, furiously brushing the dress free from its invisible,obsceneamount of filth.
