Page 153 of The Throne Seeker

The sleipnir seemed amused.Don’t worry. You’re a natural, I can tell. Even now, I can feel you are at ease.

Much thanks to you,Rose said in truth.

“You lost, princess?” a rough voice called, interrupting her internal dialogue and drawing her attention to the rider at the adjacent gate.

He was a large, beefy man with sleeve tattoos covering both arms and exposed shoulders. He had long, auburn hair and a bushy beard to match. The sleipnir he rode was blood red with a white mane, sitting an inch taller than hers, and it had twice the number of scars on its abdomen. His dark eyes fixated on her, scanning her body with a lustful grin. Her skin crawled.

She refused to look him in the eye.

He didn’t like being ignored.

“Are you here to wave the flag for us?” the man asked, taunting her as he put his elbow on his massive thigh, leaning over the gate. “Or perhaps to put that pretty mouth to good use,” he joked with a wink as the other riders laughed.

She clenched her teeth in disgust but stayed silent, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Despite her efforts, the man kept gawking.

“You mute, princess?” he asked loudly.

“Sometimes they’re the best kind,” another rider joked, earning yet another eruption of laughter.

“Why don’t you come over here and I’ll let you ride more than just this sleipnir?” the bearded man encouraged with a venomous smile, patting his lap.

She nearly threw up in her mouth. She was about to lose her patience?—

“Go suck your own cock, Halmar. We all know you’re the only one who has,” Moretti shouted as he came into view, strutting across the starting line.

The other riders “Ooohed,” laughing as Moretti came over directly to Rose and her sleipnir. He gazed up at her from the ground. “Don’t worry about him. He’s only worried he’ll lose all the money he just bet on himself,” he said, glancing over at Halmar with a mocking laugh.

Halmar wasn’t amused but said nothing, swiping his reins into his hands as he looked away.

Moretti lowered his voice, speaking directly to her, a humorous glint lingering in those bright blue eyes. “I’m giving you one last chance to forfeit and come home with me now. Any second thoughts?”

“Not one,” Rose assured him, flashing him a tight, flirtatious smile, pretending to be confident.

Halmar fumed at the smile she gave Moretti, cursing under his breath.

Moretti returned the gesture with a lopsided smirk that would make any maiden swoon. “May I give you something, then?” he asked, holding something small in his hands.

She hesitated before stretching her hand out.

Moretti took her hand and slid a ring onto her middle finger—a dainty gold band with a small black oval gem.

Her mouth hung open, hating how the gesture made her defenses crack—she supposed she was a little like her mother.

“For good luck,” he said, squeezing her palm gently before letting go.

She lifted her hand, inspecting it. “Thank you,” she said, taken aback by how much she liked it. “It’s beautiful.”

“Just like you,” Moretti praised, taking a few steps backward, then adding with another grin, “Try not to die out there.”

She didn’t know what to say, still unsure of the stranger. With one last glance, Moretti strode off back to the stands, all the riders straightening in their saddles as he passed.

She watched him depart with a new curiosity. Her eyes fell back down to the ring on her hand.

He likes you,the sleipnir said.Alot.

How do you know?she asked.

That ring symbolizes intention and protection,the sleipnir said, with a light scoff.As if he stands a chance.