Intrigued, she followed Caspian to a trail that she had taken a few times before. The trail was easy and short, only about half an hour before it circled back to the stables.
They came to a shallow brook, the water whispering over stones, and she was about to turn around when Caspian shook his head. He urged Icefire to step overthe brook, and to her surprise, there was a small deer trail hidden on the other side.
The trail was narrow and continued for a while before they came upon a wide, steeply uphill path. After about an hour, the trees grew skinnier and sparser, and the air grew colder. There was a clearing up ahead, and the trail opened into a wide valley with a view of the sea beyond the mountains.
It was beautiful.
The water of the Phthalo Sea was the deepest green imaginable, an emerald green so dark it was almost black. She wondered if it was really that colour, or if it was only the reflection of the trees upon the water that made it look that way from shore. Unlike the waters in Rhodea, which were always choppy from ships out at sea, here, the water was serene.
She was incredibly pleased with the view and would have to remember the trail for her next ride.
“Do you want to go a bit faster?”
She was about to nod, and hesitated. The sidesaddle would make anything beyond a gentle trot uncomfortable, but if she admitted that, she would reveal more about herself than she’d intended. So, she smiled politely. “No, thank you.”
He seemed to read her hesitation and drawled, “You know, I’ve seen you ride before.”
Her heart stopped. “What?”
“A couple of days ago. I was watching you from the window.” His voice was matter-of-fact, but she caught something underneath—not an accusation, but a curiosity. “You ride well.”
She pressed her lips together and looked away, embarrassed. She had been so careful not to be seen riding astride in view of the castle, except early mornings with Draugr when she thought the demons were still abed. Perhaps not careful enough.
Caspian fixed her with a stare. “Sit astride and ride with me.”
“I couldn’t,” she breathed.
Caspian rolled his eyes and drew back the reins, bringing Icefire to a halt. Buttercup stopped, too, and they remained at a standstill in the middle of the trail. He turned in the saddle to face her fully, his silver eyes inscrutable. “I’m asking you to stop pretending around me. Just … be yourself.” He paused. “Is that really so hard?”
She bit the inside of her lip. Was this some kind of trick?
“Do not pretend to be some meek little novice,” Caspian spoke tensely, as if speaking through gritted teeth, “when I know you are not. Ride like a man, so we can go faster.”
“Why?” she asked, her gaze narrowed in suspicion.
He looked to the skies, making a sound of exasperation. “Because it would please me. To have you ride with me. To watch you havefun,” he snarled, saying the word “fun” like it was a curse.
She was too shocked to utter a word as Caspian dismounted, bid his horse to stay, and stood beside her horse, his boots squelching in the mud.
He lifted his hands and waited for her to hop off, his nostrils flaring.
Elizabeth ignored his offered hands and hopped to the ground, landing with a soft thud in front of him. Smiling broadly, she placed her foot in the stirrup and swung her leg over Buttercup, sitting astride. He let her do it herself, which she appreciated.
He cleared his throat. “There. Much better.”
Caspian climbed back onto his horse, and she heard a “Hyah!” as he took off. He sped up to a canter, leaving her behind.
She didn’t want to show off, but she certainly didn’t want to be left in the dust. Sighing in reluctance, she kneed Buttercup, urging her to go faster.
The forest trail opened into a clearing with moss-covered ground.
She urged Buttercup across the clearing to catch up to Caspian. He waited until she was almost on his tail before urging his horse faster still. She raised herself off her seat a fraction, urging her horse into a gallop.
They drew neck and neck, and she reached out and tapped him on the shoulder victoriously. “Caught you!” she yelled, a laugh escaping her lips. Caspian looked at her in pleasant surprise, and he slowed his horse to a trot, and then a walk, looking satisfied.
They walked in silence, the tension between them broken. Elizabeth smiled, feeling much more comfortable around the demon than she had before.
After a while, Caspian turned to her. “Can I show you something? A favourite spot of mine?”
