Page 9

It takes me a moment to get used to being in the saddle again, but I love the feel of being able to travel on horseback.

Mamá might not like it this way, but I've always considered it to be quite freeing, even when side saddle and in a stiff riding habit.

Perhaps I should talk to Arthur's sisters and see if they have any advice on what I should be wearing while riding.

I haven't seen any of the Falhavien ladies on horseback yet, so I have no idea if my riding habit will be considered fashionable here.

Not that I particularly mind, but I do like to be comfortable.

"How are you finding Snowball?" Arthur asks as he draws Brownfoot alongside me with the ease of a practised rider.

"We're getting on well," I say, leaning forward and patting the horse's neck. I hope she feels the same way I do, it would be sad if my horse didn't particularly like me.

"I'm glad," he responds, swaying slightly as we walk the horses down the bridle path. "I should have thought to prepare a picnic or something for us."

"That's really not necessary," I assure him.

"I know, but it would have been nice."

"Perhaps next time," I respond. "There's plenty of time for picnics.

I did bring the last of my lemon drops if you want one.

" I'm a little nervous as I move my reins into one hand, but Snowball reacts well, continuing at her steady pace as if I'm not doing anything.

It reassures me that she's a good choice of horse.

I dig into my pocket and pull out the bag of lemon drops, holding the bag out to him. For a moment, I fear I'm going to drop it, but he leans in to take it, showing a lot more confidence than I feel on horseback, though I have to assume I'll gain it if we continue to ride together.

He pops one of the lemon drops into his mouth and I take the packet back from him, taking one for myself. It's a shame that they're almost gone, but I've enjoyed having the little taste of home with me.

The lemon drop melts in my mouth and fills it with a burst of flavour. I've liked some of the sweets Arthur has sent me, but I'm yet to find my favourite here in Falhaven, but I'm sure I will.

"Do you want to pick up the pace a little?" Arthur asks.

I look at Snowball and consider my options. I'm not scared of a challenge, but I do worry about going too fast on a horse I don't know. But she's been responsive to everything so far. "I'd like to try," I say.

"Have you gone into a gallop before?"

I nod. "Only around the paddock where I learned."

"This is a good patch of the path," Arthur says. "But get Snowball to return to a trot when you get to those two trees." He points them out.

"All right." I take a deep breath. I want to try this, and Snowball has done everything I asked so far. I take my riding crop and pat her lightly on her flank.

She takes a moment to respond, but soon speeds into a trot and then into a gallop.

I grasp hold of the pommel of my saddle, holding on but reminding myself that I need to relax.

I sit up straighter, letting myself move along with Snowball's cadence, feeling much better once I do.

She moves well, and I lean into that, letting the exhilaration of the wind whipping past travel through me.

"Faster," I call out to my horse, even though I know she probably can't hear me. Except that it feels like she does, and her head leans forward and her gait seems more determined.

My hat flies off and several strands of hair fall into my face, but I don't care, the rush of the wind as I ride Snowball faster than I've ever been on a horse is too strong to care about anything as practical as a hat.

I let out a loud laugh, drawing Arthur's attention. He flashes me a wide smile, and even while we're moving, I can tell how happy he is to be out for a ride, especially as he races with me towards the trees.

This is everything I hoped coming to Falhaven would be like. The ability to do lots of the things I only ever thought about doing while I lived in Someil. I hope it's something that can continue.

The trees Arthur pointed out come into view and I tug on the reins, giving Snowball the command to slow down. For a horrifying moment, I don't think she's going to listen, but she quickly slows to a trot, and then to a walk.

Arthur darts past, slowing down when he realises I have and turning Brownfoot around so he can come walk beside me.

"You'd never have known you'd only ridden in the paddock before," he says.

"I enjoyed my riding lessons," I respond. "I made the most of them. Hopefully, riding is something I can do more of now I'm in Falhaven."

"I know I would like it if you joined me on rides," he says. "It's something I hoped I could share with you, but I didn't want to say anything, especially as I know you haven't ridden very much in the past."

"I'm having a good time," I promise. "I'd like to do this more."

His whole face lights up and I enjoy knowing I've caused that.

A spot of wet catches on my face and I frown, looking up at the sky and noticing flecks of white floating down from the sky. "It's snowing," I say, letting go of the reins and holding out my hand to catch some of the flakes.

"So it is," he says. He directs Brownfoot towards a fence and clicks his tongue, bringing the horse to a stop. He jumps down with surprising ease.

"I might need some help down," I say.

He nods and comes over, reaching out to help me. I shift in the saddle and let him help me down. His hands graze against my waist, and even through the layers of clothing, I'm aware of every touch and every move of his fingers against me.

I slide off the saddle, bringing us closer together than I expect. I don't step away, and he doesn't remove his hands from my waist.

"Your hat," he murmurs.

"It's long gone," I say. "I think I shall need to find a stronger hatpin if we're going to continue riding together."

"I can ask in the stables if any of them have any recommendations."

"Yes," I respond. "That would be good."

He lifts a hand and I instantly miss the weight of it against my waist, at least until he uses it to brush some of the loose hair away from my face.

My breath catches in my throat and I wet my lips, thinking about what's coming.

There's no way for me to be certain of what he's thinking, but I know it deep within me, this is the moment.

"Artie," I whisper. "Kiss me."

He doesn't need telling twice and leans in, his breath fanning against my lips. Anticipation builds within me. I want to hurry this moment at the same time as savouring it.

Everything feels like it slows down around me as he slips his hand around me and puts it on my lower back, pulling me closer to him. I reach out to touch his cheek.

Snow drifts between us, landing on his eyelashes and making the moment even more magical.

My eyes flutter closed just as his lips brush against mine.

They're soft at first, almost hesitant, as the two of us give in to something we've been thinking about since before I arrived.

It doesn't matter how cold the air around us is, the kiss itself fills me with a warmth I've never felt before.

Every part of me feels like it's responding to the kiss, including some ways that are new to me, and intense for it.

He tastes of lemon, the flavour familiar and yet not at the same time.

He pulls back, but only for long enough for us to both catch our breath.

I don't waste another moment and lean in to kiss him again, deeper this time and with more confidence.

I know that this is what I want. It feels like more than that at the moment, like something I need .

I didn't even realise it was possible to have someone make me respond this way.

One of the horses neighs, cutting through the kiss, but I don't pull away from Arthur's arms. It's going to take more than that to get me to move.

I let out a sigh and rest my hand on his chest. "I hope that's not going to be the last time we do that."

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through my hand where it rests. "Definitely not."

"Are we supposed to have waited?"

"I don't think so," he responds. "At least, not if you don't want to."

I lean in and press a swift kiss against his lips. "I don't want to," I assure him. "And I don't want to wait to do it again."

"You'll hear no complaints here." He pulls me closer and kisses me again, sweeter this time, and more certain. I can feel that it's the start of something, and there will be a multitude of kisses to come.