Page 10 of The Time Of Queens (An Afterlife Story #2)

10

RIDING TEMPTATION

“ W hat is it you wish for… tell me, my Keira.”

Oh Gods, just the sound of my name coming from his lips was enough to have me closing my eyes tightly. My only solace was knowing that he couldn’t see the pain in my expression. As this was pure torture. So, after swallowing hard, I told him,

“I… I wish to know of your horse, my Lord.”

I felt his sigh as his chest exhaled, and I wondered if it was in frustration seeing as we both knew this wasn’t what I wanted. He stepped back and looked towards the next stall, one that held a horse that was far bigger than the one we now faced.

“His name is Samson, he is a black shire, and quite unruly at that.”

I couldn’t help but grin, wishing I was free to tease him about how it was a match made in Hell. But this wasn’t the Draven of my time, so I held back the impulse.

“Ah, then he must have beautiful uncut hair, for he sounds quite strong,” I replied without thinking. At this Draven turned to lean against the door, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded me.

“And pray tell, how would a lady’s maid know of such fables?” he asked, clearly intrigued. So, I quickly thought of a reason that would make sense, telling him,

“It is a biblical story, is it not, my Lord?”

“Ah, someone who listens intently to sermons then?” he surmised, making me laugh before admitting,

“Not that intently, no. But he was named after the famed warrior, was he not?”

“He was, for he is a force to be reckoned with,” Draven replied, and this time I couldn’t help my response.

“Like his owner then,” I teased, making him smirk down at me. Then he placed a hand to his chest and said,

“You wound me, Miss Williams, for I would wager you believe me to be a brute.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“One who likes to slam doors and frighten the staff…? No, for wherever could I get such an account,” I teased back, making him laugh as he held his hands up in surrender.

“I find you have bested me again, for your wit is far too sharp a blade for me to battle against.”

I giggled, and it was a sound that enticed a tender look from him. The same look, that even after thirty years, he often granted me when hearing it.

“Well, they do say that the pen is mightier than the sword,” I said and once more, he seemed surprised by my reply.

“I must say, you continue to surprise me, for you are extremely well educated and well-read for one of your social rank… oh please, do not mistake my meaning, for I find it quite refreshing verbally sparring with a female that possesses such intelligence,” he replied, adding this last part when I started frowning at the use of the word ‘rank’.

“You mean you do not wish to hear of my accomplishments on the piano forte or that my needlework is second to none?”

He laughed and told me,

“Ah, but do not forget your talents in finding snuff boxes and getting lost in large houses. Which makes me wonder, is finding yourself here tonight another wrong turn on your part?”

Ah, so he wanted to know why I was here, after all. Which was when I put my hand in my pocket and again pulled the last of the sugar cubes out.

“My Lord, did you forget our secret so soon…? For I am here on behalf of the horses’ sweet tooth,” I added on a whisper behind my hand, making him chuckle. But then he looked to the very horse I had missed before asking,

“And just how brave are you, I wonder?”

I frowned, tilting my head to the side a little in question.

“Come,” he said, holding his hand out for me to take.

And in that moment, I did the one thing I knew I shouldn’t do. I placed my hand in his. Something he was seemed pleased by, as he folded his fingers around mine and walked me closer to the next stall. I gasped the second the most stunning horse emerged. One I had only dared to sneak a glimpse at before now.

It was like the animal equivalent to Draven, as it was as intimidating as it was beautiful. The most majestic creature I had ever seen and when it caused a fuss, I stumbled back. Draven didn’t seem to mind this as his hands instantly came to my hips to steady me. The feel of his hands seared through the fabric of my dress as I tried in vain to suppress a shudder.

He positioned me once more in front of him as he caged me in from behind. His frame and height so much bigger than mine, Draven had always had the ability to make me feel tiny. His hand ran down my arm and this time, the shivers weren’t something that could be contained. Not as he made his way to the hand that still held the sugar cubes.

“Now trust me, for he will behave… won’t you, Samson?” The huge horse neighed and fussed, making me tense as Draven raised my hand towards him. The horse shook its head, its beautiful mane like a black wave crashing against the shore.

“Assez!” he ordered sternly, calming the horse instantly, before making a clicking ‘come here’ sound we all seemed to have been born with knowing when dealing with a horse. The giant shire stepped closer, its horseshoes clacking on the parts of the floor that had no hay.

“Easy now,” Draven hushed when he felt me tense, and because I was who I was, I used humour to mask my fear.

“Was that for me or the horse?”

“Both… now trust me, extend your hand and keep your palm flat, for your bravery will be rewarded with loyalty,” he told me.

“Reward from you or the horse?” I asked, rewording my earlier question, making him scoff softly.

“Both… now quit stalling,” he admonished gently, extending my hand out enough for the horse to now retrieve its sugar treat. I was surprised by how gentle he was but then, so was his master. Draven had always handled me with such care when I had been nervous about something, and I had always loved how much patience he had for me.

“There, now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” His soothing voice stirred the whisps of my hair by my ear and again, I closed my eyes at the feel of his lips so close to my skin. In the end, I could only nod as words failed me.

“What is this, has the experience rendered you speechless, Miss Williams?”

I had to clear my throat first to answer.

“He… he is a beautiful horse.”

“Indeed,” he agreed in a husky tone, and I still wasn’t sure if he was talking about his steed or not.

“Then it would be a crime to keep you from experiencing all of him in his glory.”

“I don’t know what you…”

“Ride with me, tomorrow?” he asked quickly, making me gasp and try to break from being so close to him. But with nowhere to go, I ended up bumping into the stable door.

“I couldn’t,” I protested with a shake of my head.

“Then you force me to use my position as Lord of this house and command it of you… ride with me.”

I swallowed hard but before I could reply, another Draven arrived. Oh, and this one was the only Draven who didn’t look happy to see me. However, his name far too easily slipped from my lips with a familiarity only reserved for family.

“Vincent.”

I quickly coughed to try and disguise my slip up, at the same time spinning out of Draven’s hold and tripping up over a bucket, making it tip over and roll away. Great, smooth as ever, Keira. I thankfully saved myself by gripping onto the stall, one Samson didn’t bother minding with now that he knew my presence came with sugar.

“Careful, there is um… a bucket there,” I said, stating the obvious in my embarrassment.

Both men looked at me curiously, with only one of them seeming to be holding himself back from reach out for me. As for Vincent, his gaze turned sceptical, and he raise a brow in my direction.

“I thought to come in search of you, brother, for dinner is to be served and our guests are getting concerned about their host,” Vincent said, first looking to his brother and then casting accusing eyes on me. Something Draven didn’t like that much, as he stepped in front of me and hid me from Vincent’s dark gaze. Seriously, could I not just go back in time without at least one of the siblings wanting to maim me?

“I will be there momentarily,” Draven replied, all playful teasing and easiness a thing of the past. His brother looked at the ready to say more when Draven spoke first.

“I said in a moment, Vincent.” His tone was firm and was enough to have Vincent releasing a frustrated sigh before walking away with a shake of his head. As for me, I craned my neck around to watch, making Draven look down over his shoulder at me. That playful smirk back at his lips once more.

“I believe it is safe to come out,” he commented teasingly, making me straighten.

“I fear I have kept you from your company for too long, my Lord.”

He huffed at that and told me,

“I do as I please, so you keep me from nothing.”

My eyes widened, despite not being surprised by his admission, only that he felt free enough to make it.

“That may be so, but being Lord of this estate means you are bound by your rank in society,” I said, reminding him of the same words he had used earlier.

“And what of you, Miss Williams? Do you also feel bound to your social standing?”

I startled and took a little step back, before confessing in a small voice,

“Each of us are in some way bound to our fate.”

He looked even more surprised, and I realised I had said too much. So, I turned quickly and said,

“I must leave now.”

He stopped me just like he had earlier, but this time I couldn’t look at him as he stepped closer.

“Ride with me tomorrow,” he softly commanded.

I finally braved raising my gaze to his, and that same connection now burned ever brightly. I found it impossible to deny him, quickly nodding my head in acceptance. The relief washed over his features and truthfully… the sight caressed my soul.

“Until tomorrow then,” he confirmed, forcing me to clear my throat enough to say,

“Till tomorrow, my Lord.” I bowed my head to him and willed my body to move and walk away, forcing him to let me go. His fingers did what they had always done, which was to tighten for half a second. This before I gave him no choice but to let me slip free. I quickened my steps, refusing to look back. I wouldn’t look back. I shouldn’t look back.

I looked back.

His intense gaze still watched me, and there in the soft glow of candlelight was the barest flicker of purple in his eyes.

Eyes that I knew would easily be…

My undoing.