We would be riding together? Like, in the same saddle? So, so close together. Not sure what made me more nervous: being that high in the air again and possibly falling to my death or having Maddox pressed close behind me.
“One horse is for you,” Maddox told Briar. “I hope you know how to ride. If not, you could always walk and meet us there.”
“Or we all could walk,” I suggested, more to spare myself the humiliation of another horse ride. Callum, bless him, had barely contained his laughter as I’d wobbled in the saddle the last time. “It would be nice to stretch my legs.”
“Riding is faster,” Maddox said as we reached the black stallion. “We’ll do plenty of walking once we’re in town. Here. I’ll help you up.”
I accepted his hand. “I don’t know if Callum told you, but I’m not the best at this.”
“Oh, he might’ve mentioned it.” Maddox didn’t smile, but one showed in his eyes as he helped me into the saddle. He then swung up and settled in behind me. As his chest pressed to my back—and something else pressed against my ass—my body heated. The bulge I’d noticed before was, indeed, massive. He reached past me and grabbed the reins, his lips grazing my nape. “Are you all right?”
I nodded. If I tried to talk, I would’ve squeaked, and I didn’t want to grant him that satisfaction. Again.
Briar seated himself atop the other horse, not as smoothly as Maddox. “We’re wasting daylight.”
The horses moved at a leisurely pace down the road, their hooves clacking against the cobblestone. Maddox’s proximity became a form of comfort; his warmth and how his arms were on each side of me, like a protective wall of muscle. Briar kept pace beside us and smiled at me as our eyes met.
My heart beat faster as I returned his smile.
I stared out across the valley, watching the grass wave with the gentle spring breeze. The sun passed behind a cloud, shading a large area of the land, before coming out on the other side, casting down golden rays. Everything was so vibrant, the fields of flowers, the green grass, and the splash of blue sea to the right.
“I didn’t realize we were so close to the ocean,” I said. The sparkling water stretched for miles and miles, seemingly endless.
“Bremloc is a central trading port,” Briar explained. “Merchants travel from all over to trade and sell their wares. Travelers come too, some to visit and others in the hope of starting a new life in the capital.”
“Bremloc is the capital kingdom?” I asked, trying to further my geographical understanding. Politics too. Maybe I should’ve read more of that history book.
“Yes,” Maddox answered, his deep voice a pleasant rumble in my ear. Tingles spread down my arms. “The neighboring kingdoms have monarchs as well, but King Eidolon and the two princes are by far the most influential. All other kingdoms must abide by our laws.”
Farther in front of us, the tops of buildings came into view with a backdrop of rolling hills. “It’s really beautiful here.”
“More beautiful than your homeland?” Maddox asked.
“Definitely.” Not only was the scenery beautiful in Bremloc, but the people were too. Especially the two with me. “What’s Exalos like? That’s where you just returned from, right?”
“It is,” Maddox responded. “The terrain is rougher in Exalos, with very little grassy plains and located more inland. There are mountain ranges and caves within those mountains that contain valuable minerals and crystals we use here in Bremloc for weapons and spell work. The city is essential to our kingdom.”
Minutes later, we neared a section of buildings. The bustle of the marketplace could be heard over the horse hooves on the stone path. Smells reached me too—the familiar scent of baked goods, along with other ones I couldn’t place but were still amazing.
Reaching a stable, Maddox spoke to a man, who then allowed us through. He dismounted from the saddle before offering me his hand to help me down.
“Why, thank you, sir knight,” I said without thinking.
He paused, expression wavering between amused and perplexed. “Sir knight. I like it.” Instead of releasing my hand, he took it firmer in his grasp and pulled me closer. “Does that make you my damsel?”
“If you want a damsel, find a brothel.” Briar dropped down beside us and handed the reins to a stable boy, who then led the horse into a stall. “Pay her enough and she’ll be anything you want. In fact, that sounds like a lovely idea. You do that while I escort Evan around the market. Take your time.”
Okay, I knew I hadno reasonto be jealous, especially considering how I was torn between the two of them, but the thought of Maddox in a brothel caused a twisting in my gut. I grabbed his sleeve on impulse.
Maddox glanced at my hand before his gaze returned to mine. The hardness in his eyes became warm. “I have no interest in brothels. They have nothing I desire.” He smoothed his thumb along my jaw. “Stop worrying.”
“I’m not worrying,” I lied. “You can do whatever you want with whoever you want to do it with. It’s not like we’re…” My throat tightened, cutting off my words.
“What I want?” Another glide of his thumb. “He’s right here in front of me.”
Relief flooded my chest.
Briar rested a hand on my side. When he spoke, it was in a soft voice. “The three of us will stay together.”
