‘You can’t ride, Sorrow.’
Heat blazed across my cheeks. ‘You know damn well I can ride, Matthias. You spent half our childhood eating the dust my horse’s hooves threw in your face. Do you think I’ve forgotten how?’
‘I didn’t…I…Oh Evella.’ He ran his hand over the dark stubble lining his jaw. Another reminder of how this man was no longer the child I’d known. ‘After the fall, after the accident and you lost everything…how can you even face a horse?’
‘I’ve faced worse things than a bloody horse.’ The burning sting of tears prickled behind my eyes and I willed them away. ‘Being forced to marry a man I barely know because the alternative is death wins right now.’
‘You know me, Sorrow. You know me better than anyone.’ His voice cracked.
For a split moment, my heart ached. I stared at his muscled arm, my fingers itching to press against his warm skin, smooththe crack in his tone. Then, I recalled how he’d always been able to weave words into a net so bewitching they’d ensnare you. How, as children, he’d sweet talk the kitchen servants so we’d always have first choice of the finest pastries.
‘If you believe that,Your Highness,’ I said as Asher blew out a long breath, ‘I’m afraid I have serious doubts about your judgement. You probably shouldn’t make any rash decisions in your current state. You know, decisions like rushing headlong into an arranged marriage.’
Asher’s eyes flicked between us as Matthias fumbled for something to say.
‘Maybe we should ride together,’ he said. ‘It might be fun, Matthias?’
Matthias glared at his captain. ‘I’m the king. I’m not riding back to Asmar clutching your waist.’
Asher raised his hands to his chest in mock horror. ‘Worried you’ll want me as your bride instead after you’ve spent hours nestled within my embrace, Your Highness?’
‘You’re not helping, Captain.’
‘Distracted by the thought of my hips already?’
I fought back a smile. Travelling with Captain Asher truly wouldn’t be too bad.
Matthias gripped the bridge of his nose. His eyes stuck on the wolf, who sat down with a whine.
‘That thing is big enough. Couldn’t you ride him?’
Pablo yawned, his jaws snapping wide, and Matthias stepped back. This time I allowed the smirk to spread across my face.
‘Why don’t you try? It’d give you a chance to make friends.’
The wolf cocked his head, his amber eyes locked firmly on Matthias.
Crossing his arms, Matthias shook his head, looking at me imploringly through the mop of hair that flopped down…and damn, my stupid heart tripped at the sight.
‘Sorrow. I’m tired. My soldiers are exhausted?—’
‘Then you really need to find me a horse. Quickly.’
He muttered something under his breath. I picked out a single word.Stubborn.
Asher cleared his throat. ‘Although seeing my king at a rather unusual loss of words is highly entertaining, I’m afraid he’s right. Our guards have ridden for far too long and we’re eager to get home. Why don’t we come to a compromise?’
‘Not Sorrow’s strong point, Ash.’
‘And diplomacy isn’t yours at this present moment, my king. I’ll put it down to exhaustion, shall I?’ Asher turned to me. ‘The horses will need a rest too. So, you ride with Matthias for a bit’ – he raised his palm as I opened my mouth to argue the point – ‘and then we’ll swap. It’ll give you some space, but I can’t promise you’ll want to marry Matthias after sharing a horse with me. What do you think, Sorrow?’
Raising his brows, he tilted his head, wearing a look similar to the ones Pablo gives me when I’m eating. I could never refuse the wolf either. The argument was going round in circles, and I desperately needed to put distance between myself and Romero.
‘Fine,’ I said, my shoulders slumping. ‘Let’s get this over with.’
Clutching Pablo’s fur, I headed towards the horses. Asher chuckled as he clapped Matthias on the shoulder.
‘Hopefully not a phrase she repeats on your wedding night, eh?’
