Page 53 of Journey to the Elderoak
Grumbling, she walked over to Casimir, standing before a tall jet-black horse with white speckled socks.
She put her hands on her hips. “Are you going to put on the saddle?”
“A saddle won’t fit both of us. We’re riding bareback.”
“What? No. Absolutely not.” She backed away, dried hay crunching beneath her boots. “I’ll fall off and get trampled.”
He laughed. “You really are scared, aren’t you?”
She looked at him and then his horse. “I can’t even get up there.”
“Well, come closer and I’ll help you.”
She stepped forward. “Now what?”
Without warning, Casimir grabbed her by the waist and lifted, setting her on the horse side saddle while he held her steady.
“What are you doing?” She gasped. “I’m going to fall!”
“Calm down,” he said, amused at her discomfort. “Swing your right leg over. I won’t let you fall.”
“I don’t have anything to hold on to,” she exclaimed.
Raine called to her from atop his own horse, “Grab the mane, dainty human!”
“I’ll hurt him!”
“You won’t hurt him,” said Casimir. “Swing your leg over.”
She cursed to herself as she grasped his mane. The horse obediently stood still as she lifted her skirt high enough to get her leg on the other side.
“Now what?”
“Hold on and wait for me,” said Casimir.
She took several deep breaths, looking over at Thorne, Quinn and Raine who couldn’t stop laughing. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s quite amusing actually,” Thorne said. “Who knew theprincess who had such a connection with animals was terrified of horses?”
“They’re so big and what if he bucks me off?”
“He won’t,” said Casimir as he gripped the mane and swung himself up.
“Ava, we literally rode an oceandrake a few weeks ago and you’re scared of a horse?” Raine asked.
“I’m notscared,just nervous.”
Casimir settled himself behind her, holding the reins with his right hand. He put his left hand on her stomach and pulled her against him. She sucked in a breath as the horse moved and she tried to hold onto something, squeezing his arm wrapped around her waist.
“Ouch,” he said. “Please stop digging your nails into my arm.”
She hunched her shoulders and let go, putting her hands in her bunched-up dress. “Sorry.”
Raine rode up next to them. “Thank you for making my day. That was hilarious.”
“I’m glad to be the source of your amusement,” she deadpanned.
“Your boobs look great in that dress, by the way.”
