"Is that faster than trotting?"
"Much faster."
"Will I die?"
"Only if you don't trust me."
The way he said it, looking directly into my eyes, made my stomach do a little flip that had nothing to do with fear of riding faster."I trust you," I said, and realized I meant it completely.
We went through the same routine as yesterday: grooming, tacking up, mounting.But today there was an easiness between us that hadn't been there before.He stood closer when he adjusted my stirrups, his hands lingered when he checked my position, and I was hyperaware of every point of contact.
Get a grip, Betty.He's your riding instructor, not a romance novel hero.
Though he certainly looked like one.
"Tell me about your morning," he said as we started walking around the arena."What made the princess lessons so terrible?"
"Where do I start?I eat like a peasant, walk like a lumberjack, and curtsy like I'm having some kind of medical emergency.On the bright side, I made everyone in the kitchen really good lattes, so at least I have one marketable skill."
His laugh was rich and genuine."You made lattes?"
"Maple cinnamon lattes.My specialty.Three years as a barista, and that's the one thing I can do better than anyone else in this palace."
"I'd like to try one sometime."
"Really?"
"Really.Anyone who can impress Chef Auguste has skills worth experiencing."
"How do you know Chef Auguste was impressed?"
Peter paused for just a fraction of a second."Palace walls have ears."
"Fair enough.I'll make you one tomorrow.Consider it payment for not letting me fall off a horse."
"Deal."
We moved into a trot, and I experienced the same exhilaration as yesterday.On horseback, I actually felt competent.Graceful, even.It was the only place in this entire palace where I wasn't failing at something.
"You know what your problem is?"Peter called out as I posted smoothly to Celeste's rhythm.
"I have just one problem?That's optimistic."
"You're trying to become someone else instead of figuring out how to be yourself in a royal setting."
I slowed Celeste back to a walk so I could look at him properly."That's very wise for a riding instructor."
"I've seen a lot of people struggle with similar transitions."
"Similar to having your entire life blown up and being forced to marry a stranger?"
"Similar to having to become something you never planned to be."
There was something in his voice that made me study his face more carefully."You sound like you're speaking from experience."
"Everyone has to reinvent themselves at some point."
"What did you have to reinvent yourself from?"
