“Sit up,Little Wolf. Stop worrying and justride. For crying out loud—with all the hours of riding narrow Frigid you’ve done, riding a horse will seem like child’s play.”
Rakel gripped her horse’s mane and tried to make herself sit upright. “I don’t believe you.”
Phile folded her arms across her chest. “A horse is far more secure and sturdy.”
“And fartaller,” Rakel said. She had been on horses before, but usually it was only when she was riding double with Farrin, Phile, or Oskar. Riding alone was more challenging than anyone had led her to believe. She peered over the side of the horse and shivered. The ground seemed horridly far away. Even worse, there was only a layer of grass to cushion her from the unforgiving ground should she fall, unlike when she first learned to ride Frigid with inches of snow. “Could I first practice on a pony?” She watched Kai with some jealousy as he rode the plump (short) pony Steinar had given him.
“Just try sitting up,” Phile said in a soothing tone.
“You’re doing great, Princess,” Kai piped in.
Rakel slowly inched upright so she stopped hovering over her horse’s neck and instead sat up straight. The horse shook his head to scare off a fly, making his body shake. “Perhaps I should stick to carriages and sleds for the rest of my life,” she said.
“Nonsense,” Phile said. “You just need to get comfortable. I’ve seen you snuggle in for a ride with Farrin—you can do it.”
“You can do it!” Kai repeated.
Rakel’s palms were icy cold as her magic, swirling around Verglas itself, stirred with mild concern at her strong feelings. When she spotted Ensign Topi crossing the field where they were practicing, she nearly sighed in relief.
Phile lazily spun around to see what had provoked such a reaction in Rakel, and she whistled in welcome. “Ensign Topi, aren’t you a sight? Come to rescue the princess from my clutches?”
Ensign Topi saluted. “King Steinar and General Halvor wish to inform you that another magic user refugee has arrived, Princess.”
Rakel blinked, pre-occupied with Topi’s arrival and thankfully able to ignore her horse’s swishing tail and the leg he stomped from the bugs. “Just one refugee?”
Topi nodded.
“I see. Thank you, Ensign. I believe I shall accompany you back to the king and the general.” Rakel started to dismount, struggling for a moment when she slid from the saddle and the drop was farther than expected.
The Robber Maiden raised an eyebrow. “What about your riding lessons?”
“Any refugees are far more important than my riding ability,” Rakel logically pointed out.
Phile exchanged glances with Kai and nodded to the little boy.
Kai set his puppy eyes on Rakel. “But I wanted us to ride together…”
Rakel simultaneously melted and burned. Kai was so sweet—but obviously this was one of Phile’s underhanded tactics. She handed her horse’s reins off to Phile and approached Kai and his pony, taking a moment to pat the pudgy animal. “Wewillride together. I promise.”
Kai nodded. “Maybe if Farrin helped teach you?” he asked.
Behind them, Phile snorted. “If Farrin ‘helped,’ I very much doubt it would be appropriate for your innocent eyes.”
“Phile,” Rakel hissed.
Farrin popped out of his speed magic, creating a wind that stirred the blue skirts of Rakel’s dress. “It’s an idea,” he said. When he looked at Rakel, his dark eyes glowed with warmth.
Rakel felt a blush heat her cheeks, and she smoothed her gown. “Topi, I believe I am ready to meet with my brother and the general.”
Ensign Topi saluted again, then led the way back to the palace. Phile and Kai waved as she and Farrin left.
“You know,” Rakel said. “If you ever tire of guarding me, I am certain General Halvor would still offer you a position.”
Farrin kissed her temple, lingering long enough to set off her blush again. “I willnevertire of guarding you,” he murmured. “You were nearly stolen from me, Rakel. Seeing you laugh and work…it’s all I ever want.”
Rakel reached for his hand, sighing with joy when he intertwined his fingers with hers.
Ensign Topi led the couple through the palace, all the way to the newly redecorated throne room.
