Page 28 of The Forsaken Heir
“Exactly what I said. Do you have any interest in horses?”
She pulled the hair tie off her wrist and quickly put her hair into a ponytail.
“I’ve never really had a lot of experience around them, if that’s what you mean. I always thought they were cool, though.”
“Well, since it appears you’ll be my guest for at least another twenty-four hours, I wondered if you’d like to take afternoon tea with me down at the family stables.”
Elle’s eyes widened slightly—not in shock, but in pleasant surprise.
“Oh, is the big bad Aurelius Decimus asking me on a date?” she asked and lifted an eyebrow.
Licking my lips, I placed a hand on the door frame.
“That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but I do see where your head is at. Interesting,” I added with a smirk.
She stared back at me for several long seconds, and the tension between us reverberated like someone had plucked the piano string. Finally, she gave an almost noncommittal shrug.
“Sure. I’d love to have afternoon tea with you at your stables.” She rolled her eyes. “Jesus, I sound like a character out of fuckingDownton Abbey. I’ve never been invited to tea before. It sounds fun, though.”
Never had afternoon tea? That was weird. It was another holdover from the old days when both our species called Europe home. Wolves and dragons had been immersed in the standard nobility families back then and had kept up similar appearances. Afternoon tea was pretty standard fare for us. How longhadshe been away from her family?
“I’ll make sure it’s perfect for your first time.” I swallowed when I realized my words could be taken as a double entendre.
If she caught it, she didn’t let on. Instead, she tugged at the sleeve of her robe.
“I could really use some clothes, though. If I’m going to be having tea with a prince, it would be nice not to wear the same sweaty clothes I was kidnapped in. I don’t think this is appropriate attire, right?” She pulled at the collar of the robe, revealing another inch of her ample cleavage, and I had to bite into my tongue to stay focused.
“I’ll send a member of our staff to take your measurements and get anything you may need. We keep a well-stocked wardrobe for visiting guests. I’m sure we have something that will fit you.”
She smiled coyly at me. “I don’t know. I’m a big girl. Do you think you can handle me?”
I grinned back at her, feeling butterflies in my stomach I’d never felt before. It was like an imaginary cable tethered us, and it pulled taut now.
“You’d be surprised what I’m capable of.” I took a step back and gave her a slight bow. “Until later, Lady Brielle Laurent.”
She bowed her head, but looked like she was doing it sarcastically. “And you as well,LordAurelius Decimus.” She scrunched up her nose and chuckled. “Oh, it’s so fancy around here. I love it. Are you going to tell me where these mythic stables are, by the way?”
“Whomever brings your clothes will escort you down.”
“Oh, a babysitter? Or is this considered more like a prison guard?” she asked.
“What?” I froze. “Wait, no, that isn’t what I meant. The house is a bit of a maze. It might be hard for you to find your way out, plus?—”
She shoved my shoulder playfully. “Calm down, big guy. I’m only teasing. See you soon.” Chuckling to herself, she closed the door.
I stared at the door in bewilderment. I kind of liked the way she teased me. Alot. With a dazed smile, I turned on my heel and hurried to the servant’s quarters to find someone to take her measurements.
I found a couple of maids near the kitchens and sent them up to Elle’s room with instructions to have her outfitted for riding later in the day, then.
After that, I returned to my room to change into riding attire. The entire time, I couldn’t get Elle off my mind. It wasn’t the fact that I was to entertain a visiting rival or the fact that I was trying to make up for my friends kidnapping her. No, it washer. Everything about her seemed to catch my mind. Strange. I’d never experienced this before with any woman, especially not one I’d only known for twelve hours. Her quick wit and ability to catch me off guard was actually a welcome departure from the ladies at court. All of them were scared to make a misstep that they appeared more like robots than actual people.
From the limited interactions I’d had with Bastien Laurent and her parents, I’d expected a similar personality—aloof but polite, condescending but in a neutral and judicious manner. Elle was nothing like that. In fact, with her personality and affectations, she seemed more like a human. Vince and Rasp said she hadn’t even tried to shift when they’d taken her. What kind of shifter was so calm and unconcerned that when two dragons stole her away, they didn’t even attempt to shift and fight their way out?
An hour later, I stood at the western door of the stables, awaiting Elle’s arrival. The horses were milling about, some still in their paddocks eating oats, but my two favorites were tied up outside and nibbling on the grass.
“Your Highness?” a man’s voice called out.
Snapping my head up, I found Titus leading Elle down the grassy hill. My eyes locked on her, taking in every inch of her. The staff had provided her with a pair of form-fitting riding pants. Her thighs, muscular but with soft curves, arched to her hipsand her round ass. The simple white T-shirt was a bit snug, but I was happy with that situation. The fabric stretched and clung to her body, making it impossible for me to tear my eyes away from her. She was my type, and I hadn’t even known what my type was until that very moment. Most women who approached me or were set up with me had the same thin, willowy build. It almost seemed like that was a requirement to be at court. While they were all lovely people, they didn’t have what I was looking for—emotionally or physically. Elle had curves, and by God, did I like those curves.
