My pulse quickens at the sight of her reddish-brown hair cascading down her back. She turns, and our eyes meet. The hint of a smile touches her lips as I draw closer.
“Jasce,” she says, her words laden with unspoken questions, as if she knows something is amiss.
I stop before her and lift her veil, drinking in her upturned face. There is no guile in her deep blue eyes, only openness and concern. Tenderly, I brush a wayward strand of hair from her cheek, fingertips tracing the ragged edge of her scars. They do not repulse me, nor diminish her beauty in my eyes.
“I’ve been looking for you,” I say after a moment.
She leans into my touch. “Is everything all right?”
“It is now.” I take her hand and turn her toward the front of the palace. “Come with me.”
She lowers her veil and follows me to a sunlit courtyard. Something stirs deep within me as she lifts her face to the sky, eyes drifting closed, as if she’s savoring the warmth on her skin.
I give her hand a tug. “This way.”
We cross the courtyard and pass through an arched gate into the stables. The familiar smells of hay and leather envelop us as I lead her down the row of stalls. At the far end, I stop before an enclosure housing a white mare. Her coat gleams like fresh snow, marred only by the old scars tracing her neck.
Annora’s lips part in surprise. “You kept Scarlet.”
The mare whickers and nuzzles Annora’s palm. Nine other horses occupy the neighboring stalls, each a gift I had given to Annora during her time in Lyra’s body.
Happiness glistens in Annora’s eyes as she turns to me. “You kept them all.”
“Of course, I kept them. They are yours.”
I call for the stable hand. “Saddle Scarlet for Lady Annora. And ready my gelding as well.”
The stable hand bows and moves to fulfill my command.
Annora arches an eyebrow at me. “Are we going for a ride?”
I take her hand and brush my thumb over her knuckles. “Yes.”
The moment the stable hand finishes with the horses, I help Annora into Scarlet’s saddle. She sits tall astride the white mare as I swing myself atop my black gelding and wheel him around.
“Come.” A grin pulls at my mouth as I continue. “Try to keep up.”
I spur my horse into a canter, hooves kicking up dust as we burst from the stables. Annora’s laughter rings out behind me as she urges Scarlet to follow.
The wind rushes past me as my gelding gallops through the field, powerful muscles bunching and flexing beneath me. I glance back to see Annora giving chase.
We crest a hill, and the city comes into view, a haze of rooftops and towers shimmering in the distance. I rein my horse in as Annora brings her mount to a halt beside me.
I swing down from my saddle and move to the mare’s side and offer Annora my hand. She accepts, and I help her dismount. As her feet touch the ground, she sways slightly. I catch her waist, pulling her against me.
“Careful,” I say.
Her lips part as she gazes up at me. I remove her veil, lean down, and kiss her. Annora’s body melts against mine as I deepen the kiss, one hand tangling in her hair while the other presses against the small of her back, holding her close.
Nothing exists but Annora, the hitch of her breath, the sweet taste of her lips. I pull her closer, craving more, craving everything she has to give and everything I want to offer in return.
I pull away but keep her tucked against me. She wets her kiss-swollen lips with the tip of her tongue, and I resist the urge to claim them again.
“What was that for?” she asks, her voice husky.
I smooth back her hair. “I needed to remind myself that you’re here. That this…” I gesture around us, “…is real.”
Annora’s expression softens. “It’s real.”
