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“That was only when I was desperate. And it only happened once… maybe twice.”
Henry continued to stare at her. The reality of what her life had been like over the last several years hit him hard. Even when food was scarce and he didn’t have clothes that fit right, they always had something.
Athena ducked her head. “You probably think that I—”
All at once, it was as if Henry had woken up from his stupor. He lunged forward and grasped her hand tightly. “What I think hasn’t changed.”
She studied him. Why should she believe him when he’d let her continue making excuses for a life she hadn’t chosen?
He squeezed her hand tighter. “I mean it, Athena. I know you have a hard time accepting what I see in you, but I wish you could. One day. One day I swear that you will be able to see the wonderful person I do.”
A faint smile graced her lips, but her eyes didn’t change. Those beautiful green eyes that could burn the world down or end a world war depending on her mood, still seemed so full of pain and uncertainty.
What did he have to do to help her see? Was Hudson right? Was it only a matter of time before she found a reason to leave him?
No. He wasn’t going to think about that right now. Just because she’d gotten upset about the whole dressage statement he’d made to Harley didn’t mean she’d hold it against him. That wasn’t who she was.
He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss on it. Her smile deepened, but she didn’t say anything more. Instead, she reached for another slice of pizza, and they continued their meal in silence.
* * *
Henry pushed a helmet into Athena’s hands. “The number one thing you need is headgear. It needs to fit right and be made of materials that the ASTM has approved for equestrian use.”
Athena stared at him blankly.
“What?” Henry asked. “Is there a problem with wearing a helmet? Because I’m not joking about that.”
“I just didn’t know you knew so many big words. Equestrian… how long did it take you to learn that one?”
Henry rolled his eyes. “Funny.”
A smile broke out on her face. “I thought so.”
He shook his head, though he felt warmed that she had gotten comfortable enough to poke fun at him. “If you violate that rule, you can be penalized or eliminated, so don’t forget it. Now, on to whips.”
“Whips?” She held up a hand. “I’m not touching one of those. Not even if it’s for show. Beast doesn’t need to be hit to do his job.”
Henry lifted a brow, but he knew better than to argue with her. She’d come to realize that the whips were only used as a way to define a request when riding. She’d more than likely communicate her needs via the way she was sitting in the saddle.
He folded his arms, looking at her firmly. “Whether you use it or not, I suggest that you take one. It has to have a certain amount of flexibility and it can’t exceed a certain length. You realize it’s not a whip that cracks the air, right? It’s more like a flexible rod with a soft lash at the end.”
Her demeanor shifted slightly, but still, she stood her ground. “I don’t want to use one if I don’t have to.”
“That’s fine. The one thing that’s optional are spurs—”
“Definitely not.”
He bit back a smile. “Noted. All right. Next, we’re on to the traditional outfit. Along with your hat, you’ll wear a dark-colored coat. A conservative blouse with a choker or tie, gloves, and britches.”
Athena held up a hand. “You’re telling me that everyone I’ve seen in those videos was forced to wear that stuff?”
“Yeah, why else would they be dressed the same?”
She snorted. “I thought they were all just really stuck-up rich people.”
Henry chuckled. “Sorry to disappoint. We’ve already gone over the dressage saddle and the type of bridle you need for dressage events, so we won’t go over that. The point of dressage is showcasing the physique and the talents of the horse you’re riding. Beast is going to have to show that he can be calm and flexible, but also confident and smart.” He grinned. “When he’s with you, I see all of that.”
“But how do I show that sort of thing? It’s not like I can tell the judges that he fits those requirements. We’re just going to be riding in circles.”
