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Seconds later, Soren rode past her. Despite the striking pace, he remained tall in his saddle. Thessa tried to mirror his posture, but hunched in fear was how she remained. His all-white quarter horse, Ares, was one of the larger ones on his property. Despite his enormous size, the stallion was docile and had nuzzled Soren during harnessing.
The leather reins in her hands felt as unfamiliar to her as her first day swinging a hammer. Soren had taught her how to hold them; use a relaxed grip and give the horse enough lead, but not too much.
She pulled in her first breath as they rode into the seemingly infinite flower fields behind his home. The ground was a heaping mess of pink, purple and blue. The smell of freshly bloomed wildflowers was as pungent as the salty sea to her left.
He looked over his shoulder, shouting, “Press into your feet, you need to sit up.”
Sending her weight down and into her stirrups, she found herself seated taller.
“Good,” he relayed, and faced forward.
Gaining confidence in her seat, she shouted, “What kind of lesson is this?”
Soren glanced over his shoulder. “The one where you learn to squeeze with your legs, or you fall off.”
Thessa hadn’t realized the grip of her inner thighs until he’d said that.
“Next, lean forward a little.”
“What?”
There was no reply, only a whistle and kick to Ares as his horse flew into a full gallop. Thessa swore under her breath,Hades was about to?—
The speed took her breath away. Hades was as fast as lightning. Her horse caught up with Ares, dashing alongside him.
Soren’s eyes flashed with approval before he looked ahead and roared.Thessa joined in his song. This feeling of freedom was unmatched, and something she’d never felt before.
Soon they veered left, galloping toward the sea.
When they approached the giant cliffs, Soren drew back on his reins, easing Ares into a walk. Thessa didn't have to do anything, Hades copied Ares.
Soren looked her way. “You’re a decent rider for someone who’s never ridden.”
“No thanks to you.” She spoke, trying to catch her breath. “What will I do when Hades doesn’t have a leader?”
He tilted his head.“Are you reconsidering your selection?”
Thessa glanced sidelong at Ares. “Well, if you’re offering the stallion?—”
He cut her off. “Ares is mine.”
Looks as though she found the demon’s soft spot. She weaved fingers through her horse’s black mane and vowed, “I quite like Hades, I’m just inexperienced.”
“If you managed to hold on through her rearing, bucking, and galloping, it’s fair to say you can handle her.”
“Is this how you teach all your riding lessons?”
“Depends on what type of riding lesson.” His tone matched his wicked grin.
Thessa’s skin flushed.
Soren halted Ares, dismounting in one swift swoop. “Get off.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” His expression gave nothing away as he removed ropes from his saddlebag and tied both their horses to a boulder.
He led her down the rocky ledge and toward the sea.