Page 50 of Grand Romantic Delusions and the Madness of Mirth, Part One

O utfitted for a ride with a pair of dark-tinted black-frame vintage designer sunglasses shielding my eyes against the gray of a cloudy early afternoon, I make it to the stables without being kidnapped again.

I expect that the two royal guards now dogging my steps everywhere outside my private quarters — poor Roz and Greg, pulled into service even though I’m perfectly safe on the property — are extra intimidating.

Kidnapping attempts were far more frequent when Armin and I were younger, and it’s been years since my father insisted I be under guard one-on-one while staying at any of the private royal residences.

Granted, I also know that attempts to snatch me, or at least to stalk me or attack me, happen far more frequently than I’m ever allowed to know.

So while my father did overreact, what with him threatening to execute Radek and Lukas on the spot, my own temper has cooled. Because I understand.

Some part of me hates that I understand all of my father’s recent reactions and actions.

It’s the same part of me that keeps grasping at the thin threads of my own individuality, desperate to gather them and twist them into something solid.

A solid rope I can cling to, can use to drag myself out of the grief and anger, use to take the steps needed to move … forward.

I skirt the main stables with Roz and Greg trailing behind me, heading for the far training rings.

Both the main buildings and the surrounding structures, as Anne decreed, need far more upgrading than what appears to be a recent coat of paint.

Rian definitely needs more space for his training and breeding program. If he’s staying.

A groomer leads two more horses through the wide doors of the stable, likely having just been notified of my extra guards.

Five more horses are already saddled in the nearest ring, including Perseus. A small group of suitors wait on my arrival.

The two purple-eyed awry, Caden from the Hernandez bond group and Noah from the Merton line, are conversing with their assigned grooms by their assigned horses.

Sully is perched on the top rail of the ring, face tilted to the sun.

Elias and Rian are talking nearby— near enough that Sully is likely listening to their conversation.

Rian is just as breathtakingly gorgeous as the last time I saw him, even in daylight. His charcoal henley helpfully — for my eyes, at least — clings tight to his torso, and his black jeans lovingly encase his delectable ass. Unfortunately, he doesn’t appear dressed to ride.

He turns to look over his shoulder as I approach.

That draws Elias’s and Sully’s attention to me.

A warm welcoming smile blazes across Sully’s face.

I note that his sleek, strong lines are only emphasized by his navy riding jacket and black jodhpurs.

The same goes for the breadth of Elias’s shoulders and the narrowness of his hips.

Roz and Greg peel away to claim their own horses before the groom gets them all the way into the ring, drawing the trio’s attention away from me for a moment. Elias frowns.

Sully jumps down from the fence. Then, as if we’re just two normal people who maybe haven’t seen each other in a while, rather than the two hours or so that we’ve been apart, he closes the space between us and actually lifts me up to spin me around.

Unable to react in any other way, I squeal, then laugh.

Sully sets me on my feet, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Missed you, Mir.”

I grin back at him, quietly pleased to be back in his presence myself. As I move toward the rest of my suitors — Caden and Noah, still within the ring, have stepped closer to the fence — Sully laces his fingers through mine, swinging our arms as we walk together.

Rian’s gaze drops to our linked hands.

Elias is still looking over my head, his blue eyes narrowed on the guards mounting their steeds.

“When was the last time you rode?” I ask Sully quietly.

“No idea,” he says easily.

I shake my head at him, pausing an appropriate two meters from Rian. I’m desperately thankful for the shield provided by my dark glasses, because there’s no way it won’t otherwise be completely apparent that I’m just standing there drinking in the sight of him.

“Have you met?” I ask, pleased that I don’t sound as oxygen-starved as I feel. “Rian, this is my good friend Sully.”

I can feel Sully’s gaze on me, a soft smile playing over his face. “Eli introduced us.”

I raise my eyebrows at that, turning my attention to Elias. “I didn’t know you were a horse enthusiast, Lord Hereford. ”

Eli smiles tightly. “A trapping of our world, rather than a passion, I’m afraid.” He closes the space between us, just enough to gently grasp my elbow.

Rian’s gaze drops to that connection. His own hands are linked behind his back, and I can’t read his expression.

“Has something happened?” Elias asks in a whisper. Then he nods toward Roz and Greg, already mounted up.

“It’s been resolved,” I say, unable to keep the stiffness out of my tone. “Thank you for your concern.”

He arches an eyebrow in disbelief.

“Mir?” Sully prompts, concerned.

Even Rian is frowning now.

“A misunderstanding,” I say.

“One that requires that you be under continual guard now?” Sully asks, all playfulness leeched from his tone.

“I’m not in danger, Sully,” I say. “Father is … overreacting.”

Elias drops his hand from my elbow, then unbuttons the top of his gray riding jacket to pull a slim phone from an inner pocket. He takes two steps away, already intently messaging someone.

Sully laughs under his breath, but raises his hands in surrender when I throw him a look.

“It doesn’t need to be a thing,” I hiss in a completely not-princess-like way.

I turn my attention to Rian — deliberately. I roll my shoulders back, ignoring that the motion drops Sully’s attention to my chest. Unlike his own sleek lines, my light-beige riding jacket does nothing to flatter my bust area. Despite that, a pleased flush pinks my cheeks at his attention.

“Did you saddle Perseus for me?”

Rian nods, taking a step that invites me to follow him into the ring. “He needs a good run. And I thought you’d …” He flicks his gaze to Sully, then to Elias, who’s tucked his phone away, clearly editing whatever he was going to say.

“… enjoy the ride?” Sully supplies saucily.

Rian looks away, swallowing.

Sully lowers his voice, leaning close enough that I feel his breath across my ear. “I think all of us would love Mir to ride us.”

The proper reaction to that would be no reaction. I should ignore Sully, greet Caden and Noah, then mount Perseus and lead the ride.

Instead, I smirk back at Sully — causing a delighted smile to instantly overtake his playful leer. “I’m not certain you’re up for it, Sully. But if you ask nicely, I’m sure Rian can refresh your memory of the basics while he gets you sorted on your mount.”

Elias snorts, surprised and amused.

Sully drops his mouth open, but nothing comes out.

Still smirking at him, I saunter over to Perseus — maybe swaying my hips more than necessary — and mount him in one smooth motion.

“Fuck,” Sully groans.

Perseus dances in place under me. Playfully dismissive, I turn to Caden and Noah, who are both already mounted— Caden on an older black stallion and Noah on a pretty roan mare. “I’m glad you could join us. Your other chosen don’t ride?”

“Not a very California thing,” Caden says with an easy grin.

Noah laughs easily. “Isla wanted to draw for it, but I insisted. She already has a connection with you.”

Elias, also in saddle, urges his horse — a huge bay stallion — a step closer. “It was suggested we limit our numbers. The others have gone ahead to the picnic. ”

I feel Rian as he approaches, then slides a hand down my booted calf. Seemingly checking the length of my stirrups. I allow myself to look down at him, to offer him a soft smile. “Will you ride with us, Rian?”

He tips his face up. With my eyes still hidden behind my glasses, I greedily trace his features again. “We’re still settling in, Your Highness. But … perhaps you’d have time to talk about the next steps with Perseus when you return?”

“Excellent idea,” I murmur. “Thank you, Rian.”

He nods, crossing around Perseus to check my other stirrup. No adjustments are necessary, of course.

A prickle of warmth across my cheek draws my attention to Sully, as if he’s caressed me with essence. Or … as if we’re connected enough that I can actually feel it when he looks my way? Mounted on Armin’s new mare, he’s watching me intently, but that expression eases into a bright smile.

“Shall we?” I ask.

“After you, Your Royal Highness.”

I direct Perseus between Caden and Noah, the two other awry falling in beside and just slightly behind me. Elias and Sully follow them, with Roz and Greg seemingly content to stay farther back.

We exit the ring and head across the field toward the nearest trailhead. I urge Perseus into a trot as we near the forest. The others momentarily fall back as I move into a canter.

Then I surge forward, my suitors nipping at my heels as we all attempt to race each other through the trees.

With Perseus at full gallop and my suitors barely a nose behind me, we break through the trees as a tight group.

A grassy field spreads before us, leading to an outlook point that juts into the crystal-clear blue lake.

Though the sun has won out over light cloud cover for now, the first full day of spring is an unlikely time for an outdoor picnic.

And of course, the event that Anne has arranged, with canopies stretching over a long table, silver service, and portable heaters, resembles a snooty hunting luncheon much more than a picnic in a park.

I slow Perseus to a trot, then a walk. The others follow suit. Caden tucks next to me on my right, with Elias on my left. Both of them are easy and relaxed on their borrowed mounts, barely using the reins.