“I don’t suppose you are up for a quick march back then?” I pull my mount to a stop, and Aurelia follows suit. I had ridden double with my sisters when they were small, and I hope Pippin is ready for the extra burden for a short distance. Holding my hand out to Aurelia, I say, “Come with me.” She glances down at Merry. “Don’t worry, he’ll follow.”
A shy smile pulls at her lips as she dismounts and takes my hand up to sit in front of me on my horse. I wrap my left arm around her waist, fingers gently gripping her soft curves and curl the reins around my right hand.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper in her ear as I kick the horse into motion.
She leans into my body for balance, and that now familiar fire stokes deep inside of me at the feel of her pressed against me. I hold her even tighter as I prod our mount; the light scent of her hair and the undertone of bergamot in her perfume, coupled with her soft curves in my hand and pressing against my legs, makes my mind race. I try to focus on the soft thrumming of hooves on old leaves, the occasional drop of rain finding my exposed skin, anything to ground myself. It’s not long before the sky opens up and more than a few drops begin to fall.
“Not much farther,” I reassure her.
She squeals with delight as the last of heaven’s reservation is lost and the rain comes down in sheets. Ibegin to laugh, too, caught up in her childlike glee. Not long after the heavy storm begins, we reach the edge of the forest near the stable where we began our adventure. A stable hand waits for us. We dismount, and I hand the reins over, Merry impatiently nudging his way under the cover of the stable behind us. The groom soothes and strokes the animals as he begins to remove their burdens.
After having her so close mere moments before, I can’t stop myself from pulling Aurelia into my arms once more, needing her body against mine again. The rain pounds the metal roof over us, matching the pounding of my pulse in my ears. She folds herself into me like it’s the most natural place for her to be, and Christ, do I want that to be so.
Her face tilts to mine, searching me with those eyes—green like the forest around us—imploring, sending need through her heated gaze. I am more than happy to oblige as I seal my mouth to hers. Aurelia presses deeper into me, as if she could become a part of me if she tried hard enough, and I respond with tight arms around her. My heart hammers in my ribs when she opens her lips for my seeking tongue, a whisper of a moan slipping out. Wind whips through, dousing our heated moment in cold rain, breaking our kiss apart, though our bodies remain fused.
I feel her laughter through my chest, and I swear, I could float off the ground. I place a kiss on her damp hairline. “Shall we make a run for it?” I murmur against her skin.
When she leans back to me, there is a mischievous glint in her eyes I’ve never seen before. It’s as if the rain has washed away the cares of adulthood and left behind this carefree wonder with dripping hair and eyes like spring. My whole body cries out in protest as I pull us apart. I take her hand and give it a squeeze, and we both take off running as though trying to dodge the raindrops, cackling with laughter as we run. Nina, one of the parlor maids, is already waiting for us at the door with warm towels.
“Is the fire in the library still going?” I ask as I toe off my boots and leave them by the door.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the young woman replies.
“Thank you, Nina, that will be all.” I turn to face my little nanny as she shakes out her braid and twists her hair into her towel. My breath hitches at the sight of her wet clothes clinging to every curve. “Leave your shoes and come with me, I think there might be some clothes of Liesel’s that should fit you.”However, I will certainly miss the view.
I lead her back upstairs to one of the bedrooms we passed earlier when I had shown her the library. The curtains are drawn against the perfect view of the forest, but the room is immaculate, if undisturbed for months. I rustle in some drawers and produce a pair of lounge pants and a matching shirt.
“You’re sure the princess won’t mind if I wear her clothes?” she asks as she takes them.
I shrug. “They’ve been here this long. I doubt she even knows they’re here. There’s a bathroom throughthere if you need it.” I gesture to a door on the other side of the wardrobe. “You can just leave your wet clothes in the tub; Nina will get them. You’ll know where to find me when you’ve dried off a bit.” I give a wink as I shut the door behind me.
