Page 50 of The Mirror and the Curse

But Chay shook his head. “Jack never enters a stable if he can avoid it. He’ll be fine in a pasture. He won’t fly off.”

Eddi nodded. “Okay, then. I guess he could just stay here with White and Flurry, but you’ll need to attend the orientation.” Eddi set off at a quick walk.

“Wait a sec, and I’ll walk with you.”

She turned to walk backwards long enough to call, “It’s the stable straight past the main barn.” Even as she spoke, Jackrabbit hopped the fence to join White and Flurry, who greeted him with friendly interest.

Facing toward the stables again, Eddi was tempted to break into a run, but she knew it would do no good. Sure enough, Chayton Thunderbull caught up with her moments later. No matter. He would soon figure out that she was taken, and plenty of other eligible females at the resort would find his tough-as-nails aura fascinating.

While Fidelio showed the new riders around, Eddi was content to listen, finding occasion to chat one-on-one with the other two newcomers. Lady Karishma seemed aloof, but after a brief conversation, the girl warmed up enough to chat with Eddi about her family’s fascinating winged horses. Prince Emenike was dignified and kind, and his stallion seemed civilized enough.

Even Chayton Thunderbull, despite his arrogance, was friendly and helpful.

The fly in the ointment, as usual, was Raquel Cambout, who scarcely allowed Fidelio out of arm’s reach. Taking her opportunity while the riders were settling their horses into their stalls, Eddi slid into Ruggero’s stall beside her boyfriend and quietly said, “Hey.”

Fidelio jolted and turned to her, blinking, then burst into his grin. “Hey, Eduardi! I didn’t hear you come in. Isn’t this great, having all these riders here? The next few weeks are going to be awesome.”

Eddi smiled rather tightly. “Have you told Raquel that we’re together yet?”

A look of sheer discomfort flashed across his face before he muttered, “I promise I will soon,” and then, with a little shrug, added, “She’ll probably figure it out when she sees us together all the time and holding hands.”

He reached over to squeeze her hand, and Eddi squeezed back, relieved to recognize possessiveness along with genuine affection in his gaze as he said, “All these princes and lords had better catch on fast too. I saw you talking with that odd dude, Thunder-something.”

“Yes, the guy who won the Stakes race.”

“Stole it, you mean,” Fidelio grumbled. “Sneaked up on me last minute.”

“He is a bit odd, but he seems nice enough.” Eddi wanted to add that Chay Thunderbull could mind-speak with his horse like she did with White, but it didn’t seem like the right time. “He’s never been here before—at Faraway Castle, I mean. Not too surprising, since he lives halfway across the world.”

“Can’t say I missed him, can you?” Without waiting for her reaction, Fidelio gave Ruggero’s glossy neck a farewell pat and towed Eddi out of the huge stall. “What with the hay and the covered paddocks, our horses are going to get spoiled.”

“Cushy quarters, for sure.” Prince Emenike joined them. “My Abeo settled right in.” His gaze dropped to Eddi, then slid down to take in her and Fidelio’s linked hands. One brow slid up his forehead, but he said nothing.

Fidelio cupped one hand at his mouth and called out in a cheery tone, “Hey everyone, let’s go check out the tack room and the charts and maps.”

Emerging from Arush’s stall, Lady Karishma sighed. “I was hoping to relax and enjoy resort life for at least a few days.”

Raquel spoke directly over Eddi’s shoulder. “The sooner we get started, the better prepared we’ll be.” Eddi hoped no one had seen her flinch. Raquel’s proximity gave her a chill. Even more than usual.

The older girl continued, “But then, I suppose we could rest a day or two before we charge into heavy training. At any rate, during the busiest hours of the day, we can behave like all the other resort guests. We’ll work in early morning and into the evening. I’ve worked everything out with the stable manager. She has been most accommodating.”

Raquel talks with Tea?

“You want us to burn the candle at both ends?” Prince Emenike commented, his voice like smooth dark chocolate. “I should think one end a day would be plenty.”

“Suit yourself,” Raquel replied, her tone dismissive. “I, for one, intend to push myself and my horse to our limits this month.”

Fidelio’s grasp on Eddi’s hand loosened. She was tempted to grip harder and tow him away from her ubiquitous rival, but before she could react, Chayton spoke from the far end of the stable. “I met Cog, Tea, and Kai while you lot were settling in. Good people.”

“Who are they?” Lady Karishma asked.

“They’re the people in charge around here,” Eddi explained. “I’ll see if Cog will show us the charts and maps. Once we finish up here, you should have time to settle into your rooms before dinner.” This said, she tugged Fidelio after her, and the others followed, talking among themselves.

Fidelio followed her without protest, yet Eddi sensed his confusion and frustration. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

But just as he opened his mouth to answer, Raquel appeared at his other side. “Del, you never got back to me about the birthday-party invitation.” Her voice held reproach and cloying sweetness. “I’m counting on you to relieve the boredom.”

Turning to her, he let go of Eddi’s hand and stopped there in the courtyard. “Um, I was right; I can’t go.” He spoke quietly as if hoping Eddi wouldn’t overhear. “That’s the weekend of my cousin’s wedding. I could send a card for—”

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