Chapter 24 24 RIDING

Chapter 24 24 RIDING
SORAYA

I am allergic to horses. At least that's what I have just realised. And I don't mean allergies in the sense of sneezing and perhaps even passing out. I mean the horses have me on my back, before I can say Jack.

For the third time today, I was thrown to the grassland just as I tried to climb the horse. I groaned in pain. "What the freaking hell?"

"All that bravado, and you can barely sit still on a horse, Raya?" Elle's mockery floated to my ear, aggravating my already irritated mind. We were in another Gala training class. I still couldn't understand why horse riding was a compulsory feat for the showcase.

"It's Soraya to you," I spat, biting my lips in to keep myself from letting out the groan at the pain that shot through my calf when I tried to stand.

"Miss karter, are you sure you do not need someone to ride with you?"

I was sure I wanted everyone to fuck off and stop being a pain in the ass, but I couldn't say that so I just gave a pained smile after picking myself up from the grass.

I heard another snicker from Elle, and at that moment I wished I wasn't just a mere human, because I would just vast a spell on her spoilt ass then and there.

My legs trembled as I finally got my footing, attempting to haul myself on the horse once more. "Steady now, Karter. You do know you could use some help."

I turned to glare at Daryl, who sat astride his own horse with infuriating ease. Of course he looked perfectly comfortable with his back straight and the horse reins held loosely, like he'd been born in a saddle. His horse, a massive black stallion, stood completely still beneath him.

Meanwhile, my assigned horse which was a grey mare that Sir Sinclair had promised was "gentle" kept sidestepping and tossing her head like I'd personally offended her.

"I don't need your help," I gritted out.

"Clearly." His smirk was audible even if I wasn't looking at him. "That's why you've eaten grass three times in the last ten minutes."

"Four times," Ethan called out helpfully from across the field. "Don't sell her short."

I shot him a murderous look that only made him grin wider.

"Can we please focus?" Instructor Galina said, though she looked more amused than annoyed. She sat perfectly poised on her own horse, demonstrating the kind of effortless control I was currently incapable of. "The Gala showcase requires a mounted entrance. You'll ride in formation, perform a choreographed routine, then dismount for the combat demonstration."

Ah, so that's why the training was needed.

"Assuming Karter survives long enough to dismount," Elle muttered.

I grabbed the saddle horn and tried again. The horse immediately stepped sideways, nearly knocking me over.

"You're approaching her wrong," Adele said gently from her own perfectly still horse. Even Adele could ride. This was humiliating. "You're too tense. Horses can sense fear."

"I'm not afraid of a horse," I snapped.

"No, you're terrified of looking incompetent," Daryl observed. "Which is making you rigid and is scaring the horse."

I do badly wanted to roll my eyes at him. "Thank you for the analysis, Your Highness. Very helpful."

"I could actually be helpful," he said. "If you'd stop being stubborn for five seconds."

I wanted to refuse, but my calf was throbbing where I'd landed on it wrong, my pride was already in shambles, and we still had three more hours of this torture ahead.

"Fine," I bit out. "Help."

Daryl dismounted in one smooth motion and walked over. The other students were pairing up for their own practice, giving us at least the illusion of privacy.

"First," he said, standing beside the mare, "stop treating her like an enemy. She's not trying to throw you. She's just reacting to your energy."

"My energy is 'I want to get on this damn horse.'"

"Your energy is 'I'm going to force this to work or die trying.' There's a difference." He stroked the mare's neck, and she immediately calmed, leaning into his touch. "See? She just needs to know you're not a threat."

I eyed the horse warily. "How do I do that?"

"Talk to her. Show her you're not going to hurt her."

This felt ridiculous. But I stepped closer and tentatively reached out. The mare's nose was soft and warm as she sniffed my palm.

"Good," Daryl said quietly. "Now, when you mount, don't grab and haul yourself up. It startles them. You need to move with intention but also with grace. Like this..."

He demonstrated, putting his foot in the stirrup and swinging up in one fluid motion. How the hell was he making this look so effortless.

"Easy for you to say," I muttered. "You've probably been riding since you could walk."

"Since I was four, actually." He dismounted again. "Royal training and all that. But that just means I've made all the beginner mistakes already. You're just making them faster."

"Comforting."

"Now you try. But slower this time. Your left foot on the stirrup.... Good. Now push up with your leg, not your arms. Use your momentum and swing your right leg over."

I tried again, and as you would guess, I failed. I barely even caught myself from falling again.

"You're still too tense," Daryl said. Then, before I could protest: "Here."

He moved behind me, hands settling on my waist. Even through my training gear, I could feel the warmth of him.

"What are you..."

"Helping. Like you asked." His voice was closer now, practically in my ear. "On three, I'm going to give you a boost. You focus on swinging your leg over. Got it?"

My heart was hammering, and it had nothing to do with the horse.

"Got it," I managed.

"One. Two. Three."

He lifted and suddenly I was up and over, landing in the saddle. Actually in the saddle, not sliding off or falling.

The mare shifted beneath me but didn't bolt.

"There," Daryl said, still steadying me with one hand on my leg. "See? That wasn't so hard now, was it?"

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one sitting on a thousand-pound animal that could kill you."

"No, I'm just standing next to a trained assassin who could kill me." He said it low enough that only I could hear. "I think we're even."

My breath caught. He was still just as suspicious of me as he was yesterday. Apparently, the day breaking didn't change that.

"I don't—" I started.

"Later," he cut me off. "Right now, focus on not falling off again. It's embarrassing for both of us."

"Fine. What do I do now that I'm actually on the damn thing?"

"Now you learn to ride." He patted the mare's shoulder. "Her name is Moonsilver, by the way. Might help to know that."

"You're joking."

"I never joke about horses."

"Alright, Moonsilver," I said to the mare. "Let's try not to kill each other."

The next two hours were grueling. I fell twice more (though only once involved actual contact with the ground). My thighs screamed from gripping the saddle. My hands were raw from the reins.

But by the end, I could walk Moonsilver in a circle without immediately sliding off.

"Not terrible," Galina said as we finished. "For a first session." That was high praise apparently.

As we led the horses back to the stables, Daryl fell into step beside me.

"You did well," he said quietly.

"I fell six times total."

"But you got back up six times. That's what matters."

I glanced at him, not wanting to accept that he was talking to me in a much calmer and nicer way.

Before I could respond, Ilana called out: "Daryl! Sir Sinclair wants to see us!"

He sighed. "Duty calls." He started to walk away, then turned back. "Oh, and Karter? Next time you need help, maybe ask before you've broken something."

"I didn't break anything!"

"Your pride doesn't count?"

I threw a piece of straw at him and he dodged it easily, grinning.

And despite everything, I found myself grinning back.

Later that evening,

I was limping back to my room, every muscle screaming, when I heard voices from the common room.

I paused at the doorway.

Ethan and Ilana stood close together, speaking in hushed tones. Too close to be casual.

"We can't tell him yet," Ilana was saying. "He'll lose his mind."

"He's going to find out eventually," Ethan replied. "And when he does,"

"I know. But not yet. Please, just... give me time."

Ethan's hand came up to cup her cheek. "Whatever you need."

Oh. Oh.

I backed away quietly before they could notice me. So that's what was happening there.

Daryl was going to absolutely lose it when he found out his sister and his rival were... whatever they were.

I probably should have felt guilty about eavesdropping. But honestly, after the day I'd had, their secret romance was the least of my concerns.

I made it to my room and collapsed on the bed with a groan.

"Rough day?" Adele asked from her bed, not looking up from her book.

"Horses hate me."

"Horses hate everyone at first. You'll get better."

Dolly snorted from her corner. "If she doesn't die first."

"Helpful, thanks," I muttered.

My phone buzzed. I pulled it out, already dreading what I'd see.

Daryl: Just so you know, I haven't forgotten our deal.

My breath caught, and my phone buzzed again, showing a message from mother.

Mother: Meet me at the stratza bar at 22nd street. 7pm, Tuesday.

I stared at the message, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.

Things seemed as though they were beginning to fall apart, and heavens help because I sure couldn't help myself.

I typed back: noted.

Then I threw the phone aside and stared at the ceiling.

"You okay?" Adele asked softly.

"Fine. Just sore."

But we both knew I was lying.