Page 152 of The Throne Seeker

“I wasn’t planning on it,” she shot back.

“I’m not letting you. You’ll get yourself killed. These riders have been training for this for years.Years. Do you know what they’re like? They’re cold, ruthless brutes, all of them. They won’t think twice before knocking you off your sleipnir. You have absolutely no idea what you’re walking into.”

“I won’t get hurt. I have a plan. Somehow, I can speak to the sleipnir like I spoke to the phoenix. I’ll be fine.”

He gawked at her like she’d grown two heads. “This whole thing was a mistake. We’re going back. Right now.” He turned to leave.

Rose held her ground, grabbing his arm and spinning him back to face her. She cupped his face, drawing him so close he had to brace against the wall again to avoid colliding with her. “Remember when you told me you’d never doubt me again?” shecoaxed, realizing she was trying to use what little charm she had on him. “I need you to do that for me right now.”

His eyes faltered, but his jaw clenched in frustration. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you,” he confessed in a whisper, so vulnerable her heart soared at the sentiment. He was worried about her, for her safety.

Fool.She was a simpering fool to let such a tiny gesture have so much power.

“Nothing will happen to me,” she promised. “Trust me.”

His conflicted eyes fought an internal battle as a mixture of emotions ran across his face. “Damn you.” He caved, letting out a loud breath. “What can I do?”

She leaned in closer to his lips. Roman’s muscles tensed under her hands. “Help me get on,” she blurted before she did anything stupid, nodding to the sleipnir.

Roman surrendered, defeated. His large hands slid down, gripping her thighs, hoisting her legs around his solid waist. His golden eyes clouded with what she could only hope was desire.

He pressed his forehead against hers and said in a fierce whisper, “You better fucking come back to me. You hear me? I thought I lost you once… Don’t you dare make me live through that again.” His cheek brushed against hers, pressing his lips against her neck just under her ear.

The light kiss ignited her body into pure flame, creating a burning desire the likes she’d never felt. Not with Tristan, not with Xavier?—

Not with anyone.

The next moment, Roman hoisted her up onto the beast. She slipped onto the sleipnir’s back easier than she expected, securing herself by tightening her legs around him while her hands reached for his long black mane for support. As she settled, she sensed people staring, watching in awe as whispers filled the stalls.

She paid no attention to them as she gazed down at Roman, who anchored her. He looked as if he was thinking about ripping her back off the sleipnir. But he tore his eyes over to the gate, opening it and stretching it out wide.

His stare was still searing into her back as she rode out.

She had no idea what she was about to face.

CHAPTER 62

Despite Rose’s lack of experience, riding a sleipnir felt intuitive, similar to riding a horse in a sense—but far more frightening. She had to make a constant conscious effort not to be swayed back and forth by the sleipnir’s movements. Make no mistake, her core muscles would be aching in the morning, but she knew that falling off could lead to being trampled—not exactly the way she’d prefer to go.

Murmurs of surprise rumbled throughout the stadium as she arrived at the starting line. The bleachers were filled to the brim, leaving her in awe at the thousands upon thousands of faces staring down at them. She tried not to look, not wanting to add any more anxiety to her head space.

She kept her eyes on the wide dirt track, observing the terrain. It looked flat for the most part, but consequently, she couldn’t even see the majority of it from the ground. And though it was sunny, the weather was about to take a turn, stormy gray clouds encroaching the skyline.

It’s a bit more complex of a track this year,the sleipnir said.Mostly flat with a few hills, trees, a jump, and a mud pit. There’s also a wide river crossing, which will be our biggest battle.

A heavy weight of fear settled in her gut.How do you get through water?

It’s quite straightforward, really. You just need enough speed to propel you through the stream. Our legs do the rest. Most riders will get off and swim alongside us, but you’ll stay on my back, seeing as you’re not a swimmer.

How do you know that?

I can sense your fear of water,the sleipnir revealed.Strange for your kind.

She suppressed an eye roll.What else do I need to know?

The jumps. They come faster than you think. When they do, stay light. Open your chest and shoulders. Keep your weight in your heels and legs. Whatever you do, don’t fall off, or you’ll die.

Dually noted.