We gallop headlong across the field, heedless of the rest of the world. The ribbon is snatched from my hair. I feel my curls streaming out behind me like a flag, whipping into a tangled brown curtain. Wind stings my eyes until they’re watering, but even tears can’t stop the jubilant smile from spreading across my face.
This, right here, is what freedom tastes like.
“Faster, girl!” A laugh tears from my throat. “Faster!”
I let out a whoop of pure joy as we fly toward the castle. I’m so caught up in the rush of adrenaline, I don’t even notice the two men standing in the driveway… or their rapt stares, locked on the crazy girl riding her horse across the grounds at top speed, chased distantly by a set of disgruntled guards.
When we run out of field, Ginger slows her pace from a gallop to a canter as we cross over onto the circular driveway, passing a series of empty fountains and ice-bound topiary. The royal stables are located off the West Wing; I glance up to locate the side path that will lead us there and instead spot two tall male figures by the front steps, directly in my path.
My stomach somersaults.
They’re standing beside a black SUV, watching me intently. With their faces cast in shadow, I can’t quite make out their features from this distance. I squint as the stretch between us narrows with each passing second.
Thirty yards.
Twenty.
Ten.
The shadowed figures finally come into focus and I feel my heart lurch. I consider pulling the reins sharply to the left, making a mad dash for the stables to avoid them completely, but it’s too late. We’re already upon them.
“Whoa!” I call, pulling Ginger up short with a shower of gravel. I stroke her lathered neck, cooing softly beneath my breath as I suck in greedy gulps of air. “Good girl,” I murmur, trying not to panic as my head lifts toward the onlookers.
Both men are still standing beside the car, staring at me. They’re incredibly handsome in the twilight, albeit in completely different ways.
There’s Alden, grinning up at me with his perfectly parted platinum hair, not a strand out of place. His hazel eyes hold nothing but warmth. He’s like a human ball of light.
Then, three feet and a whole universe away, there’s Carter — those incredible blue eyes narrowed in an unmistakable glare, that messy black hair falling across his furrowed brow. His disposition is darker than the ebony dye of his winter jacket.
My throat constricts as I take them in.
Light and dark.
Sun and shadow.
Suitor and stepbrother.
“I thought you weren’t back until tomorrow,” I say dumbly, still sitting astride Ginger. My eyes are locked on Carter’s and I can’t seem to look away, even though he’s scowling at me. I think about the horrible things I said the last time I saw him and have to grip the reins tightly to keep from falling off my horse.
“There’s a blizzard in the forecast,” Alden informs me, his voice upbeat. “We decided to come back early.”
“Oh.” I swallow hard, hoping it’ll clear the lump in my throat. “That’s too bad.”
“Is it? Come on, Emilia — aren’t you even a little happy to see us?” Alden asks, drawing my eyes back to him. “And byusI mostly meanme,” he adds with a playful wink.
“Sure,” I lie, wishing I sounded more convincing.
“Oof!” Alden staggers back, a hand thrown over his heart in a dramatic show. “How she wounds me with her indifference!”
Carter laughs, but there’s no joy in the sound. He mutters something snide under his breath but I can’t make out any of the words.
“Excuse me?” My eyes narrow. “Did you say something?”
“Not at all, Princess.”
“Funny. I could’ve sworn I heard my name.”
Carter’s lush lips are twisted in a smirk. “Trust me, when I say your name,you’ll know it.”