Page 156 of The Redemption
Sh*t.
Without thinking, I take two quick steps towards the arena, almost climbing over the wooden fence. But I stop myself. If I distract either of them now, I’ll make things worse. My fingers curl tightly around the rough wooden railing until my knuckles turn white.
For one terrifying second, all I can picture is Siya being thrown to the ground beneath a frightened thoroughbred.
Instead of panicking, she remains calm. Siya doesn’t scream or tense up. Her back remains perfectly straight, and her heels stay anchored. Her one hand tightens on the reins while the other slides calmly over Rogan’s neck.
“Easy, boy...”
Her voice reaches him before mine ever could. The pressure on the reins eases as she shifts her weight slightly. Rogan snorts and tosses his head once, then settles beneath her as if nothing had happened. That’s when I slowly release the breath I hadn’t even realised I was holding.
Damn, this woman! She actually handled him better than some riders who’ve spent their entire lives in the saddle.
Rogan continues moving, now at a relaxed trot, responding to every subtle command she gives him. There’s no resistance, no stubborn streak, and not even the slightest attempt to testher. He’s actually listening, which surprises me more than anything else. Rogan usually doesn’t listen to strangers, not even to experienced riders. Trust has always been something he offers very slowly.
Yet today, for reasons I can’t begin to understand, he’s carrying Siya as though he’s already decided she belongs on his back.
I can’t look away from either of them.
Siya didn’t choose Rogan; Rogan chose to accept her.
It’s almost as if the stubborn horse sees something in her that I’m still trying to understand.
A moment later, Siya gently slows him to a walk and brings him to a smooth halt near the centre of the arena. She swings one leg over and lands on the ground. One of the stable boys immediately hurries over, clearly nervous under my watchful gaze. He takes Rogan’s reins with both hands.
Before letting him go, Siya affectionately strokes the white blaze running down Rogan’s forehead.
“Good boy,” she murmurs softly as she scratches him behind the ear. “Don’t let anyone bully you.”
Rogan gives a low snort as though he understands every word, before allowing the stable boy to lead him away. The sight does nothing to improve my mood. If anything, it makes me wonder how long she’d been riding him before Haider came to find me.
Finally, Siya turns and notices me standing beside the fence. She knows exactly why I’m here. And judging by the calm challenge in her eyes, she couldn’t care less. Without slowing down, she begins walking straight towards me.
Our eyes meet.
I expect an explanation, an apology. But she looks straight through me, as though I don’t exist and walks past me without slowing down or acknowledging my presence.
The audacity.
Just as she’s about to pass me by, I reach out and grab her upper arm to stop her. Siya freezes for a second, then turns her head and looks at me over her shoulder.
“Didn’t I warn you that Rogan and Zephyr are my personal horses? That no one else rides them?” I ask coldly.
Without warning, she jerks her arm free from my grip.
“You should’ve thought about that before marrying me,” she replies. “I’m Siya Raghav Kundra now.” She takes a step closer. “So obviously, I have every right to Rogan... just as I have a right to you.”
I go completely still.
Did she just claim me?
Not the horse. Me?
A smile almost escapes me, but I manage to bite it back. Only then does she notice my expression. She stares at me, and I watch the exact moment the realisation dawns on her. Her brows knit together as though replaying her own words. Annoyed with herself, she clears her throat almost immediately.
She folds her arms almost defensively. “I meant as much as you have a right to Rogan, I have a right to him too.”
She emphasises the correction as if trying to erase what she’d just said. Unfortunately for her, she can’t. I already heard the first version loud and clear.
