Page 146 of Unrivaled
Ahead of me Audrey turned her head to watch the movement, her lips curved as if sharing the joke.She’d have noted, though, how he hadn’t used an anchor point, how he’d shifted his weight in the saddle.
Naren’s mother had been cousins with Kadan’s mother, their fathers fast friends.Unlike Kadan, Naren still had the guidance of his tribe-born mother…when he trekked north to visit her.Upon the death of his father, she’d returned to her people, and Naren had seen her there safely.
When I’d known him, he’d been hotheaded, but a good friend and wicked with a bow.
“If we were on a hunting trip, my lady,” he told Audrey, flashing his bright grin, “I’d gift you some fat pheasants.”
I saw the look she sent him, the laughter and spark of a shared interest.“You’d gift me something I already have?”she called, over the laughter of men lost to levity.
He lifted a hand.“You have them, do you?”
“If it were a hunting trip, lord Naren, and if I wanted them, I’d have them,” she said, her words holding confidence that wasn’t disbelieved, but celebrated, here.
Her attention returned to the orchard ahead, leading us through the rarely used paths and along previously quiet animal tracks.She knew what she was doing, but not quite how important it was.
Naren glanced over his shoulder, grin wider than it’d been, catching the glance of an older man.I recognized him as someone who’d frequented all the meetings thatnever happened.
Kadan had hand-picked a group of young rebels for this picnic.And they were loving her.
I swallowed around the lump of worry in my throat.Because they loved her as Luca’s intended wife.
I doubted she suspected her rest days between faire and tourney would be well-used by a group of rebels to further their agenda.
Naren really was quite an excellent man.His hot-headedness would probably find a partner in Audrey.She’d benefit from letting loose more often.
I took Bliksem wide, through the underbrush and out the other side to the matching game trail.It was as much out of habit as anything else.Isolde would be on the other side, if she, like me, had fallen prey to our own patterns.
Thomas would be stuck to Audrey like a burr on a blanket.She would be in no danger even without the three of us.Not from any physical threat.Not right now.Never, while Kadan was nearby.
I heard her pace increase.Or, I thought it was hers.I couldn’t tell Storm’s hoofbeats from any other horse, not really.But the location, the pacing, fit.
She’d be leaning over, reins gathered in her hands, the strong curve of her backside in the air, perfectly poised.
The image brought the old regret I hadn’t quite been able to shake.Bliksem didn’t need me to urge him on.His ears flicked back, his steps lengthened.Just like me, he was used to keeping pace with her.
When we entered the clearing, we were in perfect step, the three of us; Isolde from the west, breaking through between the trees, me to the east, and Audrey between us, effortlessly guiding Storm from breakneck gallop to loop the clearing, her eyes on the trees as Isolde looped from the other side.Bliksem and I turned a tighter circle in the middle.Kadan was only half a horse behind my lady, his expression full of fun, and those he’d brought along tumbling in after.Poor Thomas rattled along last.
This spot had a good amount of grass for our mounts, and sun.It was further from the city than Kaelson liked to go, so we hadn’t trampled the fragile groundcover during combat training.There was no evidence of the sort of training wediddo here.
I saw Naren’s eyes wander around the branches and linger on a scar on one bough that I’d left whilst trying to apply the instructions Isolde had given me.I was as good at it now as I’d been at twelve, when I’d decided I’d do better with the heavy infantry than the light.
Still, I tried.
“An excellent spot,” Luca told Audrey.“Of course.”
“There’s a stream a short walk.”She waved a hand.“I’ll take—” Thomas was there, taking her reins with a bow.“Are you—?”He bowed again, ignoring the way Storm blew air at him in derision.
Thomas didn’t deserve all the disrespect he got.Some of it, probably, but notallof it.
I went to offer Kadan the same service, but Callum had beat me to it.Catching my glance, he winked at me then wiggled two fingers in agive it to memotion.
Obediently, I let him take Bliksem’s reins.“Look at you, you grumpy old man, just as tough as ever,” he said, admiration in his voice and his eyes on my horse.
Knowing a heartfelt compliment when he heard one, and remembering Callum, Bliksem snorted, tossed his mane, and high-stepped ahead, making sure Callum didn’t get lost.
Audrey was accepting a basket from Isolde as blankets were tossed across the ground.Some men explored, but most lingered close, falling into conversation about festivities, trade, horses, and the war.
Someone brought Kadan his saddle while I wasn’t looking; he sat upon it like it was a jolly thing to do, a grin on his mouth, one hand on a walking stick, one leg bent, and the other thrown nonchalantly out before him.Audrey similarly kicked her legs out nearby, leaning back on her hands.
