At the same time Claren brightens. “Really?”
Frustrated, I drag my hand across my jaw. “Claren, return to the castle and stay away from Dahlia. You’re not to interfere with my plans again. Understood?”
His smile falls as he digs his boots into the grass. “Yes, sir.”
“Go.”
He scurries towards the castle without looking back.
“You should be nicer to him.”
I turn back to see Dahlia glaring at me from my horse. “Youshould not have left the castle.” I glare back at her. “And dismount from my horse before he kills you. He doesn’t take well to strangers.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we’re not strangers anymore.” She grins, running her slender fingers through his mane. “We’ve had such a lovely night riding through the gardens. Velvet’s such a sweet boy.”
“Velvet?” I spit the name out.
“Yes Velvet,” she repeats, “because his coat is so soft, like a beautiful velvet cloak.” She strokes his midnight flank, and the normally grumpy beast huffs in pleasure.
“You’ve got to be joking.”No more carrots for you, traitor.
“I’d love to take him on a ride into the forest.” She glances at the wall of withered trees bordering the stables. “Perhaps you could remove whatever enchantment you’ve put onto this necklace for a few hours? I promise I’ll come right back and then you can lock me away again.” Her dark eyes sparkle.
“Nice try,” I deadpan, not matching her grin. “Now get off my horse and lead Claren’s. She’ll be less likely to bite you when you put her back in her stall.”
“Maybe I don’t mind a little biting.”
I almost choke on my breath before I realise she’s not talking to me.
“You can bite me all you like, you beautiful boy,” she purrs to my horse as she slips off the saddle. Scratching under his chin, she whispers against his face.
My horse snorts happily.
“Let’s move.” I push past her to take his reins. I’ve never been jealous of a horse and today will not change that. Although the doe-eyed looks he keeps giving to Dahlia as she follows behind with Claren’s horse are not helping.
After handing the horses off to the stablehands, I find Dahlia wandering through the old brick building. She’s light on her feet. It almost looks like she’s dancing as she glides between the stalls.
When she lifts her arms and leaps, landing without a sound on the stone floor, I pause, watching her.
Sheisdancing.
There’s no music, but she doesn’t need it. Her body twists elegantly, her arms swaying like reeds around a lake. Starlightfilters through gaps in the roof and kisses the soft curve of her breasts as she arches her back, exhaling.
I can’t help it. My mouth waters.
“It’s rude to stare, you know.” She looks at me through heavy lashes.
“Until your betrothed gives me what I want, you belong to me.” I move closer. “So I will stare all I like.” I stop when I’m a few feet away, letting my gaze pour over her small body.
“And what is it that you want so badly from him?” She tilts her chin up, ignoring the obvious hunger in my gaze.
“He stole something important from me.”
“What did he steal?” she pushes.
Maeve’s blonde curls flash over my vision. Soft laughter rings in my ears. “It doesn’t matter,” I dismiss, not wanting to feel that familiar pain in my heart again – a pain that thanks to Elheart has made itself far too comfortable. “All that matters now is thatIhave stolen something important from him.”
Dahlia scoffs, pushing away from me to practise her dance again. “I’m not important to Lord Elheart.” She pirouettes with ease. “My father arranged our marriage. We’ve never met. He probably didn’t even notice me at the ball.”
