Page 52 of Journey to the Elderoak
She opened her door, finding Casimir standing with his back to her, leaning against the mantle above the fireplace. He was wearing a tan tunic with brown pants and looked utterly handsome as he turned to face her.
His eyes flared as he took her in. Clearing his throat, he said, “Let’s go.”
They walked in silence, Ava unsure what to say. They hadn’t spoken since she had knocked him to the ground and she wasn’t sure if he was angry about it, his face giving nothing away.
“So…how’s your back?” she asked.
“My back?”
“Earlier. You know, when I tripped you and won.”
Face stoic, he continued to walk down the hall and out of the castle. “You didn’t win.”
“What? You said if I got past you, I could leave. And I did.”
The corner of his mouth curled up. “I let you.”
“You did not! You are so frustrating. Sometimes I think you enjoy irritating me.”
He looked down at her and his smile grew. “Maybe.”
She couldn’t help but laugh as they arrived at the stables,meeting Thorne, Quinn and Raine. Assaulted with the smell of hay and horses, she took in the large structure. Vines crept along the roof, bright orange flowers releasing their floral perfume.
“Good evening, you two,” called Thorne, his scarlet hair bright in the setting sun as he saddled a beautiful black horse.
“Hi.” Ava fidgeted. “So…we’re riding?” She looked at Casimir beside her. “You didn’t tell me we were riding.”
“You didn’t ask.”
“They live on the outskirts of the city,” said her brother. “It will be too tiresome and take too much time to journey on foot.”
“Oh,” she squeaked as she regarded the massive creatures.
“What’s wrong, princess? Never ridden a horse before?” Casimir asked.
“I had a bad experience once.”
“These horses are easy. Don’t worry about it,” Quinn said, leaning forward to whisper into Ava’s ear, “Your boobs look great in that dress, by the way.”
“Umm…thanks?”
Casimir choked on a cough.
Quinn walked over to her own horse, a gorgeous chestnut mare. “I can’t get Cas’ expression out of my head since I saw you yank him onto his back this morning.”
Raine and Thorne turned to them, adjusting their own horses’ saddles. “You threw Casimir on his back?” Thorne asked, eyes wide in surprise.
Ava grinned. “Kind of.”
“I let her,” Casimir mumbled.
She pursed her lips and scanned the group, counting four horses. “Umm…we don’t have enough horses.”
Quinn's eyes were full of mischief, having already mounted her ride. “You get to ride with Cas.”
“No thanks. I’ll ride with one of you guys.”
“Casimir’s horse is the only one large enough to handle two riders. You’ll be fine,” said Thorne as he swung his leg over and settled into his saddle.
