Page 86 of The Call of Crimson
I don’t even try to fight the snark that fills my voice as I retort, “This saddle wasn’t made for two people, Aurelius.”
Aurelius tightens his grip, pressing firmly against my navel to hold me still.
“If you don’t quit moving,” he warns, voice low. “I’ll have you riding something other than this horse by the time we reach the castle.”
“Unless it’s my own hand, I’m not interested,” I deadpan.
He chuckles darkly, hot breath fanning my ear. “Your body, yourscent,tells me otherwise.”
“Maybe so,” I snap. “But my heart and my mind are unequivocally clear. I may enjoy your body, Aurelius, but I certainly don’t need you.”
The rest of the ride is silent.
When we reach the castle gates, Ayden is waiting, tense and grim.
“How is she?” I ask before my feet even hit the ground.
“Stable. The physician is with her now until my healer can arrive. She’ll survive.”
Relief sags my shoulders. I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.
“Thank the gods.”
Ayden catches me when I stumble, steadying me with his hands at my waist. “Easy, love.”
“Sorry,” I whisper. “Adrenaline crash.”
“Let’s get you a bath and some rest,” Ayden makes a show of pressing a kiss to my hair as he leads me inside.
Later, clean and warm under heavy covers, Ayden sits beside my bed.
“I enjoyed today,” he says softly, “despite how it turned out.”
I smile despite myself. “I did too.”
“Good.” He smirks. “Rest up. There was something else I had planned for today, but you’ll need your energy.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What is that?”
He just winks. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Whatever.” I yawn. “I’ll find out sooner or later.”
I don't even hear the door click closed before sleep claims me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BREYLA
My shoulder pops as I throw it across my chest, stretching it out. I repeat the motion on the other side, then move to my legs. It’s been too long since I felt the strain of a solid sparring session, and gods, I’m looking forward to it.
“Why the private training room, Ayden?” I ask, scanning the empty space. “Afraid to have your ass kicked in front of your soldiers?”
“Hardly, love,” he says, mirroring my stretches. “I take my rare losses with grace and humility.”
“Yes, because humble is the first word that comes to mind when I think of you.”
“We’re in this room because I wanted to ensure you had privacy,” Ayden continues, rolling his head side to side until it pops loudly.
