Page 70 of The Mirror and the Curse

White snorted, nodding his head sharply.

“We’re planning to watch your race from right down there,” Eddi nodded toward the pavilions at the base of the aisle with the announcers’ table and winner’s circle not far beyond. “We’ll be able to see the screens. I checked.”

“Be sure you aren’t late for your own post parade.” Kai carefully released her hands and stepped back.

“We’re mostly ready to go already. Good luck!” On a whim, Eddi blew him a kiss and saw him start slightly, lashes fluttering. Embarrassed, she turned to Flurry. “You go, girl. Show ’em how it’s done.”

Flurry flung up her tail, jerked her head up and down, and pranced in place while White watched with dignified amusement.

Grinning, Eddi caught Kai’s eye and felt a spark flash between them. Her breath caught, but he quickly turned away. Moments later, she watched him leap to Flurry’s back. With his visor up, he gave Eddi a quick salute before Flurry trotted up the hill toward the beginning of the parade route. What did all this . . . thiselectricitymean? Anything at all?

If her heart didn’t soon shrink back to its proper size, she would be in big trouble.

“C’mon.” She beckoned to White, whose gaze still followed Flurry. “We’ll have a better view of them soon.”

Sure enough, when she and White approached the base of the aisle and stopped, the first few race contestants already featured large on the viewing screens. The crowds had reassembled for the filly race, and viewers cheered their favorites from the bleachers, lawn chairs or blankets on the lawn, and the long lines at concessions stands. Betting on Faraway Castle races wasn’t an official thing like at other venues, but everyone knew it happened on a private level.

When Kai and Flurry appeared on the screen with a popcorn stand in the background, Eddi could see only Kai’s eyes and nose through his open visor, but that was enough. He sat his mount with an easy grace and confidence that had always made her heart flutter.

“Mind if I join you?”

Fidelio’s deep voice and sudden presence took her by surprise. She gave him a sidelong look. A small smile curled his wide mouth as he shrugged one shoulder toward the pavilion to their right. “You’re on my doorstep.” Then he set a chair on the grass between them and gripped its back to hold it steady. “Hop up.”

Eddi relaxed and returned his smile. “That might come in handy. Even from here I have trouble seeing everything.” She stepped up on the chair, braced her feet, checked out her view of the starting field, and nodded. The additional height allowed her to see over the bleachers set up just down the slope. Now she could see the actual riders as they entered the starting field as well as close-ups on the viewing screens. “Perfect.”

She cast the prince a glance. “So. Are you excited about the Cup?”

“I’m feeling confident.” Something in Fidelio’s voice sounded a bit off, but Eddi tried to overlook it. “Better watch out. White and I are at the top of our game.”

“I know.” There it was again. He sounded so . . . sad. But then he shrugged. “Ruggero’s in a great mood and ready to race.”

“Really? What changed?”

Frowning, he muttered, “Our other racehorses arrived the other day.”

“Hmm. And might the filly he likes be competing in this race?”

Fidelio raised a brow and gave her a sulky look. “She’s the blaze-faced sorrel wearing our colors.”

Eddi located the filly on the field, then pretended to elbow him. “Ruggero’s in love. Deal with it.”

“Whatever.”

“Sourpuss.” She couldn’t bother with him just then; this moment should be about Kai. “Look! The field is lined up.” This race had fewer contestants than most that week, but tension had been building all day in anticipation of the Cup race. The crowd was lively and loud. Eddi recognized the purple flight suit of her father’s stable on the jockey of a pretty bay before her gaze pinned on Flurry with Kai poised and ready on her back.

The loudspeaker went silent. The crowd noise hushed to a murmur. Eddi held her breath.

Then the starting pistol cracked, eight fterotá rose into the air in a commotion of wings, and the crowd let out a roar.

Flurry was visibly smaller than most of her rivals, moving with the lightness of thistledown and the accuracy of an arrowshot. “You can do it, Flurry girl!” Eddi shouted through her hands. “Go, Kai!!

“Eddi,” Fidelio said quietly. “I’ve been miserable all week. I can’t sleep or eat. I know our breakup is my fault. I promise, if you’ll take me back, give me another chance, I’ll never speak to Raquel again.”

Eddi went still. Seriously? Now? Her mind spun while she turned to him, trying to produce an answer that would put the matter to rest for good. But before she could even look into his eyes, he groaned, “Eddi!” caught her close, and pressed an impassioned kiss to her lips. Shocked, she pushed at his shoulders with both hands, twisting in his grasp.

When she successfully jerked her face away, he released her, and she would have fallen off the chair if he hadn’t grabbed her arm. As soon as she caught her balance, she smacked his hand away and snapped, “You had no right to do that!”

“But Eddi—”

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