Page 42 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

“Want to learn how?”

I hesitated for a moment. A puff of a breath left me, joining the flower-scented air of the gardens. I should say no. This plan held nothing but foolishness. The cheering of the discus game reached us. And I thought of Hyacinth, the stress around his eyes, the need for us to sway Apollo in our favor. I met the intensity of her gaze again. And something deep down under the soil of me took root, grasping at the peppering raindrops of hope. “Okay, let’s do it.”

I patted Meadow’s nose, and she nudged against me, nickering, her rough tongue grazing my palm. Temi crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, stepping back away from the stall and into the fresh hay that lined the aisle. She wore a riding outfit I’d procured for her, similar to my own, made up of loose pants covered by a dress with a skirt formed from six long panels that all split at the hip, allowing for easy movement.

I scratched Meadow’s ear, and she twitched it. “The most important thing to know to start with is that horses can’t see very well behind them. So, don’t approach them from that direction or get under their feet without them being aware. That scares them.”

Temi bit her lip. “If I stay over here, I don’t stand a chance of scaring her at all.”

I chuckled and slipped a carrot from my bag, offering it to Meadow. She snatched a piece off, the crunching sound of it echoing. Valerian walked up wearing his official uniform—a navy blue tunic fastened at the shoulder with a gold medallion and lined with flaxen threading paired with tawny breeches. He swept a bow. “Ladies.”

I rolled my eyes. “Val, this is Temi, Temi”—I nodded at him—“Valerian.”

He flashed a grin with one side of his mouth. My heart raced, and I turned towards Meadow, unlocking her stall. Valerian opened a second, pulling Dahlia out, her hickory tail flicking over her caramel back. Val patted her shoulder and turned in our direction. “His Highness has informed me”—he cut me a look, and I pinched my lips to hold a smile at bay—“that I’m to be at your discretion whenever needed.” He dropped his voice and leaned in closer to me, his eyes sparkling. “So, please tell me you will need me a great deal.”

A shiver slipped down my arms, and I cleared my throat. “Let’s see what kind of teacher you are, and then we’ll decide.”

Valerian scoffed and turned to face Temi. “I taught Pip everything she knows.”

“You and Cyn taught me everything I know, actually.” I fitted a bit into Meadow’s mouth.

Valerian lifted a saddle onto the back of Dahlia. “Cyn looked royal. I taught you technique.”

“Are you going to tell that to my brother?”

He grinned at Temi. “She’s such a smartass, isn’t she?”

Temi chuckled, but she took another step away from the horses. Val ran his gloved hand down Dahlia’s haunch and patted her. “This horse has a gentle spirit. I raised her from a filly, and she’s never had an unkind word said to her. Have you been around many animals?”

Temi tapped her thumb against her arm. “You mean aside from gods?”

Val barked a laugh. “Gods don’t count; they’re far less intelligent.”

My heart froze. Should he have said that? Meadow pranced her hooves against the ground. But Temi laughed, a rich, hearty sound that echoed against the rafters. “Well, I’ve managed worse before then.”

“That’s the spirit,” Val said. He patted the saddle. “Now, do you want to walk her around the paddock first, or would you like to ride?”

Temi focused on the horse, her lips twisting up. She flicked her eyes to me and then back to Dahlia. “If we're doing this, we’re doing it. I’ll ride.”

Valerian grinned again and tightened the straps.

An hour later, Temi trotted Dahlia around the field, and I swung off of Meadow, landing with a chuff beside Valerian. His mouth gaped. “I thought you said she’s never ridden a horse before.”

“I don’t think she has.”

He gave his head a shake. “I guess she’s a natural.”

Temi grinned as she bounced along, leaning into Dahlia and coaxing her forward. They ambled up alongside us. “Is that it for today?”

I gestured to the field behind us. “I thought we could have lunch. I didn’t count on you enjoying the horses so much.”

She trailed her fingers through Dahlia’s coarse hair. “Me either. How do I—” She tilted over, looking at the ground.

Val chuckled and walked up, offering her his hand. “Swing your leg over. Like that.” She landed in a patch of grass, her feet sinking into it. Valerian bowed. “Lovely to meet you, Temi. You did well today.”

“Thanks.”

“Will you join us for lunch?” I said.